Explore the Wanale Gorge and Waterfall
Wanale Hike is a beautiful hike located in Mbale with a height of 2090 Meters. Wanale Cliff is an amazing steep hill overlooking the incredible Valley and the entire Mbale city with the lowlands of Tororo.
After hiking the steep slopes and reaching the top, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views. A descent to the view of the waterfall coming down from the sheer rocks into the community, and not forgetting the most famous volcanic mountain in Uganda: Mount Elgon.
Climbing Wanale is one of the hidden gems in Uganda a hiker can experience. A popular (and more intense) hike that will take you roughly 3-4 hours to complete the entire trip.
How to access Wanale
The hike starts in Mbale town, and laying on the foothills of Mount Elgon, it is one of those hikes you shouldn’t miss if you are visiting Mbale, either for business or pleasure. It is an exhilarating hike, and the reward of making it to the top and descending to amazing waterfalls is an achievement of an exceptional experience.
What you need to know
- Book at least one day before your arrival.
- Come along with proper hiking shoes since the hiking of steep rocks, and water coming down on the rocks.
- Bring a bottle of water, because the hike will leave you dehydrated.
- Pack a rain jacket on your small backpack and sacks to enjoy when reach the top.
- Don’t forget your hand camera, the view from the top is extraordinary.
- Bring you are suncream and sunglasses.
Which tribe is found in Wanale?
Wanale Cliff is situated in Mbale town found Eastern Uganda, and it takes a huge surface area of Bugisu land, characterized by Bugisu-speaking people living around the entire area and speaking Lugisu as their mother language.
Wanale overnight camping
Wanale Cliff is also known as Nkokonjeru by the local people, the cliff stands on top of Mbale city and overlooks the open space that goes beyond the town.
The cliff is part of the Mountain Elgon slopes that offer this magnificent rooftop view. It’s also one of those landscapes that you view from the top of Wagagai Mountain Elgon below the summit.
The hike takes about 3-4 hours to the top depending on one’s fitness. It’s a challenge that’s worth giving a try within Mbale City. The area offers more than tremendous views also has a beautiful cascading waterfall. One can take a swim or a thrilling waterfalls massage.
The Experience the Wanale Ridge
Hiking Wanale cliff allows you to walk through homestays of the Bamasaba land and interact with the local people as you take your steps up the hill. The reward of reaching the top is absolutely a life-changing experience, it’s like you have summited one Mountain in your life. Of course, you can call it a good feeling to start hiking a mountain.
Once you reach the top, you will enjoy the views, set your tents for overnight and take in one of the incredible soothing roars of the waterfalls as they descend the captivated volcanic rocks. Accompanied by impressive cultural stories of Bamsaba people living around the ridge while enjoying the campfire as you wait for your dinner time. If you arrived early you can choose to go swimming, and later busk out with a sunset.
A visit to busy Mbale City is an open plan but an add-on with a hike to Wanale is no doubt an exclusive experience.
Things you to pack for overnight camping
- Hiking boots or trail runners or running shoes.
- Rain jacket.
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Head torch
- Good socks for the hike
- water bottle
- Hiking clothes and a warm jacket.
- snacks
- Sleeping equipment in case you have it’s okay to come along with. ie sleeping bag matt, tent. But always our package is inclusive.
A visit to busy Mbale City is an open plan but an add-on with a hike to Wanale is no doubt an exclusive experience.
Things you to pack for overnight camping
- Hiking boots or trail runners or running shoes.
- Rain jacket.
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Head torch
- Good socks for the hike
- water bottle
- Hiking clothes and a warm jacket.
- snacks
- Sleeping equipment in case you have it’s okay to come along with. ie sleeping bag matt, tent. But always our package is inclusive.
Suggested itinerary
Wanale 2 Days
If you are around Mbale City we do recommend starting at 12:00 pm at the starting point to the off-beaten track hiking trail to the rooftop of Wanale Ridge.
You will arrive at the peak after 3-4 hours and unpack your camping gear to freshen up.
Dinner time, campfire, and some drinks and rest
Day 2
Have breakfast, pack up to set off the site, visit the communities, and descend down to the bottom of the waterfalls.
Head to the pickup point to travel to Mbale or your next destination.
