Towering about 4,222meters above sea level, covered in mist and drizzle Mt. Elgon is a soaring volcanic giant that is a sight to behold! The lush montane forest is thick and evergreen on the floor, but as you hike up, the foliage changes and the best place to see the forest is on the Chelulus circuit of the park. Mixed bamboo and Podocapus is the next forest zone which is a common feature on the mountain. The heath zone is characterized by dense scrub and wildflowers. The alpine moorland zone boasts of the highest number of endemic plant species on the mountain while the open moorland grassland is dotted with clusters of giant groundsel and lobelia plants that are unique to East Africa.
The salt-mining elephants of Kitum Cave are definitely a spectacle. Tonnes of elephants, dubbed ‘the troglodyte tuskers’ stream down the cave to dig out salt elements from the ground. The park boasts of caves formed from ancient lava tubes namely Kitum, Making’eny, Chepnyalil, Ngwarisha and Kiptoro. Cave exploration and excursions in the bat-infested caves are common with outdoor junkies that love the thrill of being in the wilderness. Making’eny cave, located about 1.5km from the Kitum caves has a spectacular waterfall over its mouth. A hike up is refreshing and the views breathtaking.
