Pick up at 06:30 hours and proceed east, past Mbale to Mount Elgon that straddles the border with Kenya. Mbale lies 3-4 hours from Kampala along a good tarmac road.Mt. Elgon is a 4,321m high extinct volcano which in prehistoric times stood taller than Kilimanjaro does today. Although the mountain straddles the Kenyan border, its loftiest peak, Wagagai, lies within Uganda and is best ascended from the Ugandan side.

Mt. Elgon is an important watershed, and its slopes support a rich variety of altitudinal vegetation zones ranging from montane forest to high open moorland studded with the other-worldly giant lobelia and groundsel plants.

Spectacular scenery is the main attraction for hikers on this often neglected undemanding mountain, but there is also a variety of forest monkeys and small antelope, along with elephant and buffalo. A checklist topping 300 birds includes many species not recorded elsewhere in Uganda.

Proceed to the trailhead at Budadiri and prepare for the climb: Camping at Bunamasifu (1250m). Lunch and dinner.

Steep and rugged climb of Sasa Route; Camping at Sasa River Camp (2900m). Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Walk up to Jackson’s Pool or Jackson’s Summit or Wagagai: Camping at Mudda Cave Camp (3500m). Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Walk across the crater, camping at Hunter´s Cave Camp (3600m). Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Walk to Piswa Camp: Camping at Piswa Camp (2850m). Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Descend to Kapkwata and onwards to Kampala via Sipi Falls. Breakfast and lunch.