From Kitale, it is about one hour drive on a dirt road to Chorlim Gate at the entry to Mount Elgon National Park. It is quite obvious where the national park starts as that is where you will find the forest. It is possible to walk to Koitoboss peak or you can drive all the way to the aptly named Road End where camp can be set up before starting an early-morning walk to the top. Hiking all the way to the top does have the advantage of acclimatisation to the altitude, something that should be considered.
From Road End, the landscape changes into the African Alpine moorland, a spectacular sight with giant lobelias and groundsels along everlasting flowers and heather in amongst the rocky outcrops. It can be quite cold here, so make sure you come prepared. Everything you need will have to be brought in and any rubbish must be taken out as there are no facilities. Allow at least 3-4 days to be able to enjoy the amazing scenery and acclimatise properly.
Mount Elgon NP also has several lava tube caves open to the public. Elephants might be seen scraping their tusks along the walls inside the caves for salt, although it is more likely you will see the grooves made by their tusks along the walls deep inside the caves. No mean feat if you see what they have to climb over to get there. Other large animals also visit the caves for their salt and they also house many bats, evident from the layers of bat poo around.
The Saiwa Swamp, only about 25km from Kitale, is easily explored on foot. The small national park has a walking trail with various wooden viewing platforms overlooking the swamp. The main reason to visit is a chance to spot the rare sitatunga, a semi-aquatic antelope.
Use Tripindigo to book a trip to Kitale to start your hike to the top of Kenya’s second highest mountain.