Not in many cases do travelers think of mountain biking when they hear of a mountain, its always straight forward as hiking. However, mountain biking is one of the activities in Mount Elgon National Park that is really thrilling and should be undertaken. Mount Elgon is situated in the Eastern region of Uganda bordering Kenya in the west and the mountain crosses to the country. Its not as high as many of the popular hiking mountains in East Africa, the popular one’s being Rwenzori Mountain at an altitude of 5,109 m (16,762 ft) and Mountain Kilimanjaro of Tanzania at an altitude of 5,895 m above sea level. Mount Elgon raises to an altitude of 4,321 m above sea level which is a bit lower and suitable for a family adventure activity including mountain biking.

About Mountain Biking on Mount Elgon

In 2012, the Uganda Wildlife Authority opened up the trails of Mount Elgon National Park for Mountain Biking. Mountain biking trails run from Sipi trading center to Chema hill in Kapchorwa town. The biking experience through the trails is meant to take about 1 and ½ hours, provides views of the beautiful sipi falls and the Karamoja Plains.

Wondering where to get a bike for your cycling safari in Uganda’s Mount Elgon National Park, you can plan and book with a tour operator in Mount Elgon National Park or else hire bikes from Sipi River Lodge.

Why Mount Elgon is the prime biking safari destination

The park is an ideal safari destination but then not so popular with tourists on safaris to Uganda with many opting for Uganda gorilla trekking safaris to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This leaves the park less crowded and therefore you have it all almost to yourself. The park is almost unspoiled and therefore you will have chance to see a true and pristine park.

Mount Elgon is a lush country side destination with beautiful waterfalls (Uganda’s most beautiful) at Sipi. The area is filled with sparkling streams and a variation in vegetation zones, rugged rocks, creek and rain washout, and many steep declines all offering a beautiful sight for the eye.

To or from Mount Elgon National Park, you can have a stop at Jinja which is the best adventure spot in East Africa. At Jinja you have a chance to undertake the most thrilling activities at the source of the world’s longest river-River Nile. A tourist can opt for white water rafting, horse riding, quad biking or bird watching along the banks of the Nile River. This will be a 1-day Jinja tour to have the best adventure either to or from Mount Elgon National Park.

If you need an adventurous biking tour in Uganda then Mount Elgon is the best option, there other destinations where biking is done but then Mount Elgon is the top pick. Many tourists opt to make it a round trip joining from Jinja to Mount Elgon then after continue to Africa’s best wilderness far north East known as Kidepo Valley National Park. From Kidepo many continue to Murchison Falls National Park for a wildlife safari in Uganda experience then return to Kampala or for departure at Entebbe International Airport.

Take up the challenge and go biking to up to 4,321 m above sea level and have an adventure like no other.