5-Day Sasa Trail Premier Trek in Mount Elgon National Park

Planning to take on this 5-Day Sasa Trail Premier Trek in Mount Elgon National Park? Our 5-day premier trek on the new Sasa Trail takes you to two peaks and across the Masaba Table, a flat rock at 4,020m that rises above the alpine moorland. The rock is 700 metres long, 200 metres wide, and surrounded by cliffs 80-100 metres high.

After summiting Wagagai Peak, you descend into the world’s largest caldera and cross to the far side where you camp at Kaiyah Camp (3,695m) near Suam Gorge. From here it is an easy 1.2 km walk to the hot springs and the Kenyan border. You then climb across the caldera to Simu Gorge, continue up to the rim, and descend to Mude Camp before completing the trek at Sasa River Camp.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: From base camp (1,720m) hike to Hunwick’s Camp (2,882m)
Day 2: Hike to Masaba Camp (3,745m)
Day 3: Summit Wagagai Peak (4,321m), camp at Kaiyah Camp (3,695m)
Day 4: Hike to Mude Cave Camp (3,472m)
Day 5: Descend to base camp (1,720m)

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Hike to Hunwick’s Camp (2,882m)

Day one covers 7.4 km with an altitude gain of 1,162m. If starting from Mbale (1,150m), the gain is 1,732m. The trek begins at Elgon Trekkers Base Camp in Bugiboni, climbing steadily through farms of coffee, maize, potatoes, and onions to Kigoma Primary School.

From there, you walk up to the park boundary below Nabunyifu Falls (61m), surrounded by cliffs. Switchbacks make the climb easier and give views of the community and distant mountains. This new trail section has only recently been opened to visitors. The trail continues up the Dirigana Valley through montane forest with Podocarpus trees and thick vegetation. You cross the river and stop for lunch at a shelter before climbing to Mukoola Ridge and on to Hunwick’s Camp.

Overnight: Hunwick’s Camp (2,882m), huts with bunk beds (carry your own sleeping bag).
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 2: Hike to Masaba Camp (3,745m)

Day two is a 7.2 km steady climb with an altitude gain of 863m, taking 4–5 hours. The trail passes through montane forest, then the former bamboo zone. Although much of the bamboo was cut by communities for food and building, new shoots are now growing. Uganda Wildlife Authority plans to replant bamboo in the area.

Between 3,000–3,300m, you pass a zone of Giant Heather before reaching the heathlands with grasses, wildflowers, and scattered heather. After a rest stop, continue to Masaba Camp at 3,745m. From here you see the high-altitude grasslands, forests, and on clear nights the lights of Mbale city. Masaba Camp has two wooden huts and a permanent tent.

After lunch, you may hike 1.2 km to the top of Masaba Table, a massive rock with vertical cliffs, 700m long and 200m wide. At 4,000m above sea level, it offers wide views over the moorlands dotted with giant lobelia and groundsels.

Overnight: Masaba Camp (3,745m)
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3: Summit Wagagai Peak (4,321m) and Camp at Kaiyah Camp (3,695m)

Climb 6.4 km with a gain of 576m to Wagagai Peak (4,321m). From here, descend into the caldera to camp at Kaiyah Camp (3,695m). The route covers about 8 km and takes 2–3 hours. Accommodation is camping in two-person tents, carried and set up by porters.

Overnight: Kaiyah Camp (3,695m)
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: Hike to Mude Cave Camp (3,472m)

Walk across the caldera towards Mude Camp, a route of about 4 hours. The trail is mostly flat with beautiful views of the mountains, though some steep hills appear near Uganda Pass.

Overnight: Mude Cave Camp (3,472m)
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5: Descend to Base Camp (1,720m)

Descend through the forest along the original Sasa Trail. The route cuts across to the top of Dirigana Falls, passing through areas of giant tree ferns before continuing down to the Base Camp at Bugiboni.