1. Protected areas

Mount Elgon National Park

Status
Designated
IUCN category
II (National Park)
Designation type
Regional
Designation
National Park
Surface area
approximately 1,279 square kilometers (about 494 square miles)
Status year
1968
Governing type
Federal or national ministry or agency
Owner type
Not Reported
Management authority
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) in Kenya and the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in Uganda.
Management plan
Yes it has a management Plan
Body

Mount Elgon National Park is a protected area located on the border of Kenya and Uganda. .

  • Area Size: Mount Elgon National Park covers an area of approximately 1,279 square kilometers (about 494 square miles). It is known for its volcanic landscape, including Mount Elgon, an extinct volcano.

  • Designation Date: Mount Elgon National Park was designated as a national park on December 18, 1968, in Kenya. It is a transboundary protected area, as it also extends into Uganda.

  • Management: The national park is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) in Kenya and the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in Uganda. Both countries collaborate to protect and manage the park's unique biodiversity.

  • IUCN Status: Mount Elgon National Park is classified under the IUCN Category II designation, which includes national parks and similar protected areas established for the protection of ecosystems and natural beauty.

  • Biodiversity: Mount Elgon National Park is known for its diverse range of flora and fauna, including the following:

    • Vegetation: The park features a variety of vegetation zones, from montane forest to bamboo forests and heathlands. It is home to unique plant species, including giant lobelias and groundsels.

    • Mammals: Wildlife in the park includes forest elephants, buffaloes, leopards, hyenas, and several primates such as black-and-white colobus monkeys and blue monkeys.

    • Birdlife: The park is a birdwatcher's paradise, with over 300 bird species recorded, including turacos, sunbirds, and Jackson's francolin.

    • Invertebrates: Mount Elgon National Park also hosts various insects and butterflies, including endemic and rare species.

    • Scenic Landscapes: The park's volcanic terrain is characterized by caves, waterfalls, cliffs, and hot springs. The most prominent feature is the caldera of Mount Elgon.

The park's biodiversity, unique landscapes, and cultural significance have made it a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It is also a popular destination for trekking, hiking, and wildlife viewing, attracting nature enthusiasts and researchers interested in its ecology and geology.

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA)

Source:https://www.kws.go.ke/content/mount-elgon-national-park

“Untamed Wilderness, Secluded Splendor” 

High in the mist-wreathed hills of western Kenya is a towering volcanic giant, crowned by a vast caldera etched by glacial tarns, honeycombed by labyrinthine caves, fissured by valleys and cascaded by streams. Visitors can explore the forest, see the elephant caves and also enjoy biking, hiking, and rock on the eighth highest mountain in Africa, Mount Elgon.

Mt. Elgon Source KWS