posted on 2010-04-14

Mount Elgon National Park

An undiscovered jewel in Kenya.

When I requested information about bat caves in Kenya to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), I would have never thought that would be such an exciting and unforgettable visit to one National Park that barely anybody has ever heard about it.

It turns out that Mt. Elgon is an extinct shield volcano on the border of Uganda and Kenya and a place well known among the people of the area because of their caves. Kitum cave is quite a special place, where the Forest Elephants go inside at night to scratch with their tusks the walls and then they lick the salt. Many other animals including buffalos, antelopes and gazelles, visit the caves at night in search of the salty goods. KWS rangers mentioned that also hyenas like to go there at night. The caves are surrounded by waterfalls and lush vegetation, creating a wonderful background. The Kitum cave is 200 meters deep and up to 60 meters wide.

We found fruit fructivores bats Rousettus and insectivores bats horseshoe bats inside the Kitum caves. Bats are also found in the Ngwarisha cave.

The KWS has some bandas (small houses) for rent with a kitchenette. The price for early 2010 was only $25.00 USD per night. You also have to pay the park fees to stay overnight, but every penny that comes out of the rent and the park fees, goes to preserve the wildlife and the communities around the National Park. From the bandas, you have a splendid view of the Endebess Bluff, a couple of picnic tables and place for a fire. Early at morning and at dawn it is common to see zebras, antelopes and gazelles among several forest primates and colourful birds from your own kitchenette window.

View of the Endebess Bluff with Mr. William Kiptoo
KWS of Baringo and Koibatek districts in the Rift Valley province

The Senior Warden of Mt. Elgon, Mr. Dickson K. Ritan, discussed with us about the National Park and the current elephant situation.

Ericka with Mr. Ritan
Senior Warden of the KWS Mt. Elgon National Park

"The Forest elephants were heavily hunted before the ivory trade moratorium was implemented in 1990 and their status is still critical. They used to visit the caves during daytime, but poachers were routinely waiting for them to shoot them. Such a trauma it has created among their survivors, that up to date these elephants go infrequently to the caves and only at night", said Mr. Ritan.

This is a paradise for bird watching and wildlife watching. There are 340 bird species are in the area. Several bird species can be easily spotted, such as the African paradise-flycatcher (Terpsiphone viridis) white morph, black and white-casqued hornbill (Ceratogymna subcylindricus), African crowned eagle, the red-fronted parrot and the Ross's turaco (Musophaga rossae).

The park has leopards, hyenas, buffalos, forest elephants, zebras, giraffes, waterbucks, antelopes, gazelles, olive baboons, leopards, giant forest hog, bushbuck, buffalo, duiker, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys and the golden cat, among others.

Defassa waterbuck

Mr. Ritan explained that Mount Elgon is divided in two National Parks in two countries; one is under the Uganda Wildlife Authority in the Uganda side and under the KWS in Kenya. These two Parks are on both sides of the border and they cooperate to maintain and protect the wildlife and flora of the Mount Elgon area. The Kenyan part covers 196 km². The city of Kitale is a base for the people living, working and for training the staff of the KWS. The town of Kitale is in a hill near the mountain.

The area has three tribes and the KWS has built dikes that bring water to their communities, has created schools and helps the people with their crops, while educating them to conserve their wildlife.

Next time you visit Kenya, take your time to visit Mt. Elgon. The best way to reach it is by renting your own 4X4 from Nairobi (420 kilometres) or rent it from Lake Nakuru.

To make your reservations contact: reservations@kws.go.ke"
For more info about Mt. Elgon National Park check this website

Ericka Ceballos
March 2010

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