A Deeper, More Immersive Journey to Wagagai Peak (4,321 m)

The 4-Day Bushiyi Trail trek is designed for hikers who want more than a fast ascent. It offers a slower, richer experience of Mount Elgon, allowing time to absorb the changing landscapes, adjust comfortably to altitude, and truly connect with the mountain.

Starting from the Bushiyi Ranger Post, this trek leads you through primary rainforest, bamboo zones, open moorlands, and volcanic highlands, gradually revealing the immense scale of Mount Elgon’s ancient caldera. With an extra day on the mountain, you gain not only better acclimatisation but also more moments to pause, look around, and enjoy the journey.

This itinerary is ideal for travelers who value balance, scenery, and comfort, while still reaching the summit of Wagagai Peak.

Why Choose the 4-Day Bushiyi Trail?

Compared to the 3-day option, this trek offers:

• A more relaxed pace and better altitude adaptation
• Extra time to enjoy sunsets, wildlife sounds, and mountain silence
• Deeper immersion in Mount Elgon’s diverse ecosystems
• Higher comfort for moderately fit hikers

You still take the most direct route to the summit, but with more breathing room—both physically and mentally.

Arrival & Preparation

We recommend arriving a day early and staying overnight in Mbale or at River Line Resort in Bududa, close to the Bushiyi trailhead. This allows time to rest, repack, recharge devices, and receive a full briefing from our team before entering the park.

Mulima Adventures arranges permits, guides, porters, meals, and logistics, ensuring a smooth and stress-free trek.

4-Day / 3-Night Bushiyi Trail Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival & Pre-Trek Preparation

Arrive in Mbale or Bududa and settle into your accommodation. This day is reserved for rest, gear checks, and briefing. You will meet your guide team, review the route, and prepare for the days ahead.

The calm before the climb allows you to start the trek refreshed and focused.

Experience highlight: A relaxed evening at the foothills of Mount Elgon, anticipation building for the ascent.

Day 2 – Bushiyi Gate to Dubi Camp

Forests, Caves, and the First Big Views

After an early breakfast, you transfer to the Bushiyi Ranger Post for official check-in with Uganda Wildlife Authority. From here, the hike begins through lush primary and secondary forest, alive with bird calls and flowing streams.

A scenic lunch stop at Shiloko Cave offers a moment to rest and connect with the mountain before continuing upward. The trail gradually climbs toward Dubi River Rest Camp (3,563 m), where the landscape begins to open and the air grows cooler.

As evening approaches, enjoy tea or coffee while watching the sunset—often painting the sky in dramatic colors—before gathering around the campfire for dinner.

Experience highlight: Your first night high on the mountain, surrounded by silence and starlight.

Day 3 – Dubi Camp to Wagagai Peak (4,321 m)

Summit Day Above the Caldera

This is the most exciting and rewarding day of the trek. After breakfast, you begin the ascent toward Wagagai Peak, the highest point on Mount Elgon.

The vegetation thins as you enter open moorland, revealing wide-angle views of the mountain’s peaks, valleys, and the vast Suam Gorge below. Small, steady steps lead you higher, with regular pauses for hydration and energy snacks as altitude increases.

Reaching the summit is a moment of quiet triumph. From Wagagai Peak, you stand above one of the largest volcanic calderas on Earth, with sweeping views stretching into Kenya and across eastern Uganda.

After time at the summit, you descend back to Dubi Camp for lunch and rest. Depending on timing and group pace, the trek may continue down toward Shiloko Cave (2,700 m) for a more comfortable overnight.

Experience highlight: Standing on the rim of an ancient volcano, surrounded by vast open space and rare alpine vegetation.

Day 4 – Descent to Bushiyi Gate & Departure

A Gentle Farewell to the Mountain

On the final morning, you descend along the Bushiyi Trail, retracing your path through forests and open slopes. At the Bushiyi Ranger Post, you officially check out and say goodbye to your guide team, porters, and chef—people who have shared the journey with you.

A short boda-boda ride takes you back to River Line Resort for a refreshment stop before continuing to Mbale or your next destination.

Experience highlight: A sense of completion and connection after four unforgettable days on Mount Elgon.

Trek Overview at a Glance

• Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights
• Trail: Bushiyi Route
• Summit: Wagagai Peak (4,321 m)
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Total Distance: Approx. 40 km
• Best For: Travelers seeking a comfortable pace with full summit success