Chorlim Campsite, Mount Elgon National Park

Mount Elgon National Park feels like an undiscovered gem; it's severely underrated and almost mystical in the secrets it reveals. The hike to the Koitoboss peak (4,220 meters above sea level) takes you through pristine alpine landscapes, featuring fresh mountain streams and classic moorland vegetation, such as lobelias and ferns, similar to those found at similar altitudes in Mount Kenya and Aberdares National Parks. These landscapes appear as if they've been drawn straight from a Dr. Seuss book. The caldera at the top of this extinct volcano is truly vast, spanning 40 square kilometers, making it one of the largest in the world and an imposing sight to behold. You can either hike to Koitoboss from the gate, which requires multiple days, or drive to the end of the dirt road to the “8 km to the peak” sign, allowing for a shorter 2-3 hour hike to the peak. Either way, you will be left wondering why no one ever told you about this lightly-trafficked and third-highest mountain peak in the country.

There are several camping opportunities in the park; either in the forest lowlands closer to the gate or dotted along the trail to the peak. If you plan to undertake a multi-day hike to Koitoboss, we recommend pre-booking a guide and getting their suggestions on campsites to stay at along the hike. Some sites are quite magical, though they lack amenities. If you plan to take a day trip to the peak (i.e., driving your 4WD to the trailhead, which is 8 km from the peak) and explore the park’s enchanting forests (ask for the location of 'Chief Kassis'—the park’s largest podocarpus tree), waterfalls, caves, and bluffs (cliff-like rocky outcrops that offer great viewpoints) for the rest of your trip, we recommend Chorlim Campsite. It is a short distance from the gate and offers cold showers, long-drop toilets, a gazebo that can double as a kitchen/eating area, and a soothing river nearby.