Your Professional Trekking Services
Ascend through roaring waterfalls and ancient montane forest to Hunwick's Camp, then journey on to Sasa River Camp at 2,880 metres — two nights deep in Mt Elgon National Park with professional guides, great food, and unforgettable scenery.
Overview
Trekking the Sasa Trail in Mt Elgon National Park is a truly rewarding experience with professional guides, great food and good accommodation. Our three-day trek brings you a fantastic experience in the beauty of nature — amazing waterfalls, lush green vegetation, birds and awesome views of the valleys and communities below.
The best option is to have a pre-night stay in Mbale town or Sironko. It is 52 km from Mbale town to Budadiri Uganda Wildlife Authority office — approximately one hour's drive. To get an early start, be at UWA offices at 8:00 am. National Park entrance fees apply on arrival ($35 per 24hr period for Foreign non-residents, $25 for Foreign residents, UGX 15,000 for East Africans).
The trek starts just above Bugiboni Village at Elgon Trekking Services Basecamp at 1,720 metres. Over three days you ascend to Hunwick's Camp, traverse through stunning forest to Sasa River Camp, then descend the original Sasa Trail past Giant Tree Ferns back to Basecamp.
Day by Day
Three days of varied adventure — a long ascent on Day 1, an easy forest traverse to Sasa River Camp on Day 2, and a scenic descent past Giant Tree Ferns and Dirigana Falls on Day 3.
Day one is a 7.1 km walk from ETS Basecamp at 1,720 m to Hunwick's Camp at 2,882 m — an altitude gain of 1,162 metres. The trek begins with a steady climb through coffee plantations, maize, potatoes and onions to Kigoma Primary School.
From here the trail climbs steadily to the park boundary directly below the 61-metre Nabunyifu Falls (meaning "cold wind"), flanked by sheer cliffs. Switchbacks built into the trail offer excellent views of the community below and distant mountains — this section is a completely new trail never before accessible to tourists. The trail then climbs through the Dirigana Valley's montane forest with huge Podocarpus trees to a river crossing and lunch shelter.
After lunch, a steady climb brings you up to the Mukoola Ridge and Hunwick's Camp at 2,882 metres, with fantastic views across the hills and valleys all the way to Masaba Summit.
Day two is a relatively easy walk through some stunning montane forest. After a hearty breakfast at Hunwick's Camp, you continue climbing up through the forest before branching off and walking down to the Dirigana River, passing a series of beautiful waterfalls along the way.
When you cross the river, a steady climb on the right bank brings you up to Sasa River Camp at 2,880 m — set deep in the forest right beside the river. The camp is alive with birdsong, especially in the early morning, and offers a wonderful sense of remoteness in the heart of Mt Elgon National Park.
The final day descends through the forest along the original Sasa Trail before turning and cutting across to the top of Dirigana Falls — passing through a remarkable area of Giant Tree Ferns that line the upper valley.
From here the trail descends to Elgon Trekkers Basecamp at Bugiboni, completing a rewarding loop of the Sasa Trail. A perfect end to three days immersed in the extraordinary natural world of Mt Elgon National Park.
On the Trail
Highlights
What's Covered
Before You Go
Ready for the full experience?
Contact us to check availability and confirm your dates. All meals, your guide, porter support, and two nights in camp are taken care of.
