The 3 day trek to Wagagai via Sasa Trek starts just above Bugaboni Village, which is now possible to reach by vehicle. This takes up to the summit peak of Wagagai. You do not have to miss this trek to Wagagai via Sasa Trail.
3 Day Trek to Wagagai via Sasa Trail – Itinerary at Glance.
- Day 1: Hike to Mude Cave Camp- 3472m
- Day 2. Summit Wagagai peak-4321m
- Day 3. Descend down to the basecamp.
- Day 4: Base Camp-Mude Camp.
Day 1: Base Camp – Mude Camp
At our Base Camp, our guides will give you a briefing as to what to expect during your hike.
Trekking the Sasa Trail in Mt. Elgon National Park is a truly amazing experience. You start from the Base Camp at 1,720m you climb up to the park entrance at 2,240m through the community with coffee, vegetable and maize plantations past many homesteads where the children will greet and welcome you to Mt. Elgon. The first 600 metres is a bit steep after which it levels out except the last section which is steep, and gets slippery during wet weather.
From the park entrance, you climb up a steep section where we have constructed simple steps to make it easier. After about 500 metres you get to the rock face of the escarpment where Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) constructed three sets of long steel staircases. As you climb the view over the community is spectacular with many homesteads and small farms.
Once you reach the top of the steel stairs the trail flattens out to be a gradual climb with a few steep sections but a steady climb through the beautiful montane forests with many birds and the occasional primate. It is a definite must for birders as the forest is evergreen and open, making it easy to spot many species.
After 3 or 4 hours you reach Sasa River Camp 2,860m where we are constructing new huts and facilities amongst the trees. However, as you are doing a three-day trek we stop for a quick lunch and cup of tea or coffee and head off to Mude Camp at 3,472m passing through the higher levels of the montane forest with some different bird species to reach the bamboo zone where the lower sections have been over-harvested by the local communities for bamboo shoots and building materials. However, the upper section is now recovering and with a few years will be back to its former glory.
At around 3,250m the forest starts opening up to gradually become the Heath Zone where you walk across rolling grassy hills with the occasional Giant Groudsell and Giant Heather and many species of wildflowers which are more prolific in July, August, and September but found all year round.
Mude Camp 3,472m is set in a small forest of Giant Heather trees with views across the valley. Here, you may see the mountain hares which live in the Heath Zone hopping around the camp and the occasional serval (Leptailurus serval) which lives mainly on the mountain hares and small rodents. At Mude Camp you may sleep in a tent outside or put it inside a big A framed hut.
Day 2: Mude Camp – Wagagai Peak – Mude Camp – Sasa River Camp
You trek up to Wagagai Peak past Jackson’s Pool (Sera’s Pool) and Masaba summit which has a lot of history and culture concerning the Bamasaba people and Gisu trible. From Wagagai Peak you look across the largest mountain caldera in the world (40sq km) and which was the centre of the Mt. Elgon volcano. Judging on the area of the base of Mt Elgon it is estimated that millions of years ago Mt Elgon was the tallest mountain on earth.
After enjoying the views and taking a few pics for memories you head back to Mude Camp for a quick break before descending to Sasa River Camp for your second night. At the camp you may sleep in a tent or stay in the large A-framed hut.
Day 3: Mude Camp – Base Camp
Descend to Base Camp using the same route as the one you used to climb up. You should reach Base Camp around 11.30am. You will then find your own transfer arrangement back to Mbale or Kampala. End of Service.
Inclusions of 3 Day Trek to Wagagai via Sasa Trail
- Accommodation all night on the mountain
- Park fees/Hiking fees.
- 3 Course meal
- Continental breakfast
- Hire Camping materials and tents (sleeping bags and mats).
- Porters
- Professional cook.
- Bottled drinking water.
- Ranger/Guide fees.
Exclusion of 3 Day Trek to Wagagai via Sasa Trail:
– Pre-night in Mbale, transfer back to Mbale from the base camp, sleeping bags per person can be hired at $10, Expenses of personal nature like visa, drinks, laundry, tips to local guides, telephone, personal insurance, and tobacco.
We invite to book this amazing 3 Day trek to Wagagai via Sasa Trail. You can combine this hike with your gorilla trek tour to Bwindi Forest. It is a great adventure in Uganda for those seeking for activities that require a lot of adrenaline. Here is the best chance that you can have during your safari in Uganda.