Sasa Trail: The Best Route for Hiking on Mount Elgon in Uganda.

1. About Sasa Trail on Mount Elgon National Park.

Sasa River Camp

The Sasa Trail, named after the Sasa River, is located on the western side of Mount Elgon National Park. It's one of the oldest trails on the mountain, with booking offices in Budadiri. The trail starts at Bugiboni base camp at 1,700m, it is steep but it offers a gentle, easy climb, making it the shortest and most accessible route to Mount Elgon from Mbale Town. This scenic hiking trail is known for being well-maintained, with paved paths, quality accommodation facilities, and several loop trails.

2. History of the Trail

Historically, the local communities and smugglers used this route to transport goods between Kenya and Uganda. The trail gained prominence in the 1970s when neighboring East African countries closed their borders due to President Idi Amin Dada's threats to annex their territories. Later, in 1993, the government of Uganda declared Mount Elgon a national park, transforming the former smuggling route into one of the mountain's official trails.

View of the trails

3. The Management of Sasa Trail

Unlike other trails like Bushiyi, Sipi and Piswa which are managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Sasa Trail is currently operated and maintained by a private company (Elgon Trekking Services) . This company has invested in developing the trail, opening new routes, and maintaining them to highest standards. Additionally, they have established modern camps with comfortable facilities, created loop hiking trails, and unveiled new adventure spots like Masaba Peak Summit, Caldera Exploration and hot springs tour making the trail the number one choice for climbing Mount Elgon.

And so, Preparations for Mount Elgon adventure via the Sasa Trail have been incredibly made easy. The private trail management efforts in improving the services have eliminated the need for carrying camping gears (although camping options are available upon request). With additional trails now open, visitors are able to enjoy a wider and more exciting adventure and the comprehensive improved services ensure that everything you need is taken care of within the park.

Clients relaxing at Mude Cave Camp

4. Hiking Tour Packages on the Sasa Trail

1. Four Days Trek to Wagagai Peak (loop) Costs $525 pp

Trek Details:

• Day 1: 7.1km walk from Elgon Trekkers Base Camp to Hunwick's Camp (2,882m)

• Day 2: Climb to Masaba Camp, exploring montane forests and heather zones

• Day 3: Summit Masaba Table, climb Masaba Summit, and reach Wagagai Peak, then descend to Mude Cave Camp or Sasa River Camp.

• Day 4: Exit the park through Sasa River camp route.

What Is Inclusive

• Park Entrance fees (4 days)

• Guides (4 days)

• Porters (4 days)

• Meals (4 days)

• Accommodation during the trek

2. Three Days Trek to Wagagai Peak (loop) Costs $420 pp

Trek Details:

• Day 1: 7.1km walk from Elgon Trekkers Base Camp to Hunwick's Camp (2,882m) then 6kms to Masaba Camp (3,774m), exploring montane forests and heather zones

• Day 2: Summit Masaba Table, climb Masaba Summit, and reach Wagagai Peak then descend to Mude Cave or Sasa River Camp.

• Day 3: Exit the Park.

What Is Inclusive

• Park Entrance fees (3 days)

• Guides (3 days)

• Porters (3 days)

• Meals (3 days)

• Accommodation during the trek

4. Five Days Trekking to Wagagai Peak and Masaba Summit hike

Costs $690 pp

Itinerary

Day 1: 7.1km walk from Elgon Trekkers Base Camp1,720m to Hunwick's Camp (2,882m) for an overnight camping.

• Day 2: Climb to Masaba Camp (3,745m) for an overnight camping while exploring montane forests and heather zones.

• Day 3: Summit Masaba Table(4,024m), Masaba Summit (4,152m), and reach Wagagai Peak (4,321m), walk through the Caldera up to Kaiyah camp (3,695m) near the hot springs for an overnight camping.

• Day 4: Continue to walk on the caldera rim with all mount elgon’s highest points in your sight and descend down to either Mude Cave Camp (3,472m) or Sasa River Camp (2,880m) for an overnight camping.

• Day 5: Exit the park through Sasa River camp route.

What Is Inclusive

• Park Entrance fees (5 days)

• Guides (5 days)

• Porters (5 days)

• Meals (5 days)

• Accommodation during the trek

5. Booking your Mount Elgon Sasa Trail hiking Tour and Getting There

Booking your Tour

• You can book your mount elgon hike via Sasa Trail through our Website Elgon Tours or visit the Mount Elgon National Park Sasa Trail offices in Budadiri.

• However it is recommended to book you tour in advance for proper arrangement.

How to get There

• From Mbale town, take a public taxi to Budadiri and ask to be dropped at the Mount Elgon National Park Sasa Trail office along Masaba Road.

• For private cars, drive to Budadiri town, proceed to Masaba Road, and stop at the Mount Elgon National Park Sasa Trail office.

New Cabins at Sasa River Camp

Experience the thrill of Trekking to Wagagai Peak via Sasa Trail, a unique and exciting route to Mount Elgon's summit. Enjoy breathtaking views, diverse wildlife, and comfortable camps.

The writer is a guide, a hiker, a nature enthusiastic and the Manager of Elgon Tours a tour agency based in Budadiri at Sasa trail head that organizes hiking adventures inside and outside the Mount Elgon National Park.

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