Facts about the’ King of the Jungle’

Family: Felidae ?? Species: Panthera leo

Famously referred to the King of the jungle, they actually do not inhabit jungles
It is partially true to refer to the lions as ‘King of the beasts’.? It is a fact that they really are kings of the predatory beasts, but they can be easily backed down or killed by elephants and water buffalo.? A pack of hyenas can also back down or even kill a solitary lion.

But they are in themselves packed for the kill. They have strong, compact bodies and powerful forelegs, teeth, and jaws for pulling down and killing prey. Their coats are yellow-gold, and adult males have long, dark, shaggy manes. Young lions have light spotting on their coats. Their strength is also reflected during mating whereby can copulate up to as many as 100 times in a 24 hour period
Male lions grow larger than females, reaching up to ten feet long (females reach up to nine feet long), plus a two- to three-foot-long tail. Male lions weigh from 330 to 530 pounds; females weigh 270 to 300 pounds. Lions stand between 3-4 feet tall at the shoulder.

They are the only true social members of the cat family and live in groups called prides.
All females in a pride are related
All lactating females will allow any cub in their pride to nurse
Lions run at a rate of 50 mph, and sleep up to 20 hours a day
Tigers are lions’ closest relatives. Without their coats, lion and tiger bodies are so similar that only experts can tell them apart.

Their roar can be heard up to five miles away.
Male lions can usually only hold on to a pride for 2-4 years before a younger, stronger male or coalition of males throws him out and takes over.

Many people only think of the females as doing the hunting, but as males spend much of their lives in search of a pride, they too must fend for themselves and are quite capable of hunting.
Though grown-up lions have rarely been known to have spots, there is one male in Masai mara that I have seen time and again that was born with a huge black patch on the chest and inner front left leg. I have watched him from birth till he was kicked out of the pride with his brothers. Definitely he left the vicinity and only hears about his where a bouts from time to time.
Lions are the only sexually dimorphic members of the cat family.
Male lions are the only members of the cat family to have a mane.
They are the only felines with tufts at the ends of their tails.

Female lions (lioness) reach two thirds of their adult size by the time they are 2 years old.
Males begin to really grow between 3 and 3 1/2 years and by 4 will be almost their adult size and weight
Both males and females continue to grow until they are 6 years old, primarily becoming more massive

Habitat
Lions inhabit a wide range of habitats, from open plains to thick brush and dry thorn forest.
Diet
Lions eat primarily large animals, such as zebra and wildebeest, weighing from 100 to 1,000 pounds. In times of shortage, they also catch and eat a variety of smaller animals from rodents to reptiles. Lions steal kills from hyenas, leopards, and other predators, but may also lose their catches to hyena groups. Lions may also feed on domestic livestock, especially in areas near villages.
Reproduction
Female lions usually give birth to a litter every two years. Females are receptive to mates for a few days several times a year, unless they are pregnant or nursing. Mating spurs ovulation. Females give birth to one to five cubs after a gestation of about three and a half months. Cubs nurse for six months, but start eating meat at three months. Due to varied dangers, including starvation during times of food shortage and attacks by male lions taking over prides, up to 80 percent of lion cubs die within their first two years of life.
Life Span
Zoo lions may live up to 25 years, while wild lions live about 15 years.
Behavior
Lions live in groups called prides, which may include from several to 40 individuals. Pride mates associate in sub-groups within the pride. Female pride mates are related to each other. Although both males and females defend the pride’s territory, the larger males take on most defense duties, marking territory with roars and scent marks (urine). Females do most of the hunting.

Several females stalk prey from different angles to within 100 feet before attacking the targeted animal. Females stay in their mothers’ prides for life, unless food scarcity forces them out. Young males are driven from their prides when they grow large enough to compete with the dominant males.
Young males join in coalitions, usually with brothers and cousins, and search for a pride to take over. Males entering a new pride will kill all cubs that cannot run from them. In India, female and male lions live apart, joining only to mate.

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Facts you should know about the Giraffe

Facts you should know about the Giraffe

Giraffe is one of the most amazing animals especially because of the long neck that makes it sometimes cumbersome and prone to a couple of problems. We will see them as we proceed and you will be able to understand more.

African ruminant mammal, Giraffa camelopardalis, live in open savannahs south of the Sahara and has only one family member, the Okapi. The giraffe is the tallest living mammal.  Head/shoulder length is approximately 13' for the male.  Shoulder height is 8-12', overall height 15-19'.  Weight is 1,100-2,800 lbs.  The reticulated giraffes are handsomely patterned in golden browns, with a coarsely netted (reticulated) pattern mainly quadrangular in shape.  Males and females have stiff manes along their necks.  Both sexes have horn-like structures called ossicones on top of their heads between their ears. These ossicones are present at birth in the form of small knobs of cartilage covered with skin and hair which becomes bony nodules with age.  

They have seven vertebrae in neck, the same as man and most other mammals despite the long neck. Only that the vertebrae are much bigger. The tail measures up to one yard with a terminal tuft of stiff, black hair. 

They have long tongues that measure 18-21 inches long. The inner part of the tongue is pink in color, and then changes to a purplish-black color for the last 6 inches that are commonly visible.

A quick look at the adaptations of the Giraffe

They have long legs and neck, long, tough, prehensile tongue, and leathery mouth for food gathering. Their coloration is protective. They are tall with good eyesight for watchfulness. Giraffes have high blood pressure (240/160) for pumping blood to the brain. Herds are small and loosely constructed of 5-15 individuals, consisting of one bull with females and young.  Other bulls are solitary or in pairs. 

They usually sleep standing up. Going for a month without water is also possible as an adaptation to long drought periods in their native areas.   A browsing ruminant that eats regularly throughout the day, the giraffe prefers young leaves and shoots at tops of acacia trees which sometimes ends up shaping the regularly visited trees.  They prefer to drink regularly, but can go without water for several days.  Giraffes can run up to 35 mph.  Predators are leopards (prey on young), lions, and man.  Giraffes kick with their hooves and slam with their heads. A giraffe usually sleeps for only 1-12 minutes.

Off springs

Giraffes are non-seasonal breeders, usually producing one calf after a gestation period of 14-15 months.  Newborn giraffe calves begin their lives by falling up to about 6 feet to the ground, and weight  87-107 lbs.  They become sexually mature between 3 and 4 years of age and have a life span of about 25 years and up to 30 in captivity. Full body size is not reached until five years of age.

It is interesting to note that...

The carotid artery that carries blood from the heart to the head is thick, muscular and elastic, ballooning when the giraffe stoops to absorb increase in pressure.  When the giraffe raises its head, a series of check valves in the inch-wide jugular vein prevents a sudden back flow from the head, emptying the brain.  They are most vulnerable to predators when drinking or lying down.  They may see red-orange, yellow-green, purple, green and blue as colors.  Their scientific name means "camel-leopard-like one who walks swiftly."  Their spot patterns are as individual as fingerprints. They are among the very few mammals that cannot swim at all.  Giraffe’s have a variety of sounds but they  are rarely heard. They may grunt of snort when alarmed, females may whistle to call their young, and calves can bleat.

 

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ARTICLE TERMITES

The termites are a group of eusocial insects usually classified at the taxonomic rank of order Isoptera. sometimes called "white ants", though they are not closely related to true ants. Termites live in colonies that, at maturity, number from several hundred to several million individuals. Colonies use a  self-organized systems of activity guided by swarm intelligence to exploit food sources and environments that could not be available to any single insect acting alone. A typical colony contains nymphs (semi-mature young), workers, soldiers, and reproductive individuals of both genders, sometimes containing several egg-laying  

queens.termites divide labour among gender lines, produce overlapping generations and take care of young collectively. Worker termites undertake the labors of foraging, food storage, brood and nest maintenance, and some defense duties in certain species. Workers are the main caste in the colony for the digestion of cellulose in food and are the most likely to be found in infested wood. The soldier caste has anatomical and behavioral specializations, providing strength and Armour which are primarily useful against ant attack.termites undergo incomplete

metamorphosis, with their freshly hatched young taking the form of tiny termites that grow without significant morphological changes. Termites are generally grouped according to their feeding behavior. Thus, the commonly used general groupings are subterranean, soil-feeding, dry wood, damp wood, and grass-eating. Termite workers build and maintain nests to house their colony. These are elaborate structures made using a combination of soil, mud, chewed

wood/cellulose, saliva, and farces. A nest has many functions such as to provide a protected living space and to collect water through condensation. Nests are commonly built underground, in large pieces of timber, inside fallen trees or atop living trees. Some species build nests above-ground, and they can develop into mounds. In tropical savannas the mounds also known as "anthills" may be very large, with an extreme of 9 meters (30 ft) high . In many cultures, termites are used for food . Ecologically, termites are important in nutrient recycling, habitat creation, soil formation and quality and, particularly the winged reproductive, as food for countless predators. In addition, scorpions, lizards, snakes, small mammals, and birds live in abandoned or weathered mounds, and aardvarks dig substantial caves and burrows in them, which then become homes for larger animals such as hyenas and mongooses.

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African Safari: The world's tallest mammal

If you have been following this series on the African wildlife Experience and what to expect in your Kenya safari then here is some more great stuff for you. Our nature series this season was features on an informative yet interesting coverage on the Leopard, but a Cranston, a photographer whose love for nature is unending, had a wonderful time in Lake Nakuru and Amboseli national parks heightened us differently.

Right now as I speak, I am in Kenya, a country that is perceived as; a wonderland of treasures, the cradle of mankind and the land of contrasts. The greatest wonder of the world is now on as I had told you earlier in the migration update and many visitors from all over the world are streaming to Maasai Mara to have the first-hand glimpse. Am talking about, the wildebeest migration.

I know you might be wondering why I have to say all this stuff instead of going directly to my point. Well! If I were a psychiatrist, I would have told you "……… this is important as well" of which it is. But my main point here is to prepare you on what to expect when in a safari.
If your expectation of seeing the big five or monster lizard or even some specific species of birds are met, there is always more to see and to learn. Kenya as I said offers a diversity of attractions. That’s what this series is about, so that you can know what Kenya and its diversity has to offer.

This time we will talk about what's interesting about the world's tallest living mammal encountered a lot on Safari in Kenya.
The giraffe is the world’s tallest terrestrial animal. It's one of the most amazing animals especially because of the long neck that makes it sometimes cumbersome and prone to a couple of problems that we shall see as we proceed.

These African ruminant mammals, Giraffa Camelopardalis, live in open savannahs south of the Sahara and have only one family member, the Okapi. The reticulated giraffes are handsomely patterned in golden browns, with a coarsely netted (reticulated) pattern mainly quadrangular in shape. Males and females have stiff manes along their necks and both sexes have horn-like structures called ossicones on top of their heads between their ears. These ossicones are present at birth in the form of small knobs of cartilage covered with skin and hair which becomes bony nodules with age, and fuse to the skull with time.

Giraffes are widely spread in Africa and Kenya in particular. As Cranston witnessed, it's easy to spot the three species of giraffes in this part of the world.
It amazes to know that giraffes despite being the tallest mammal have seven vertebrae in their neck, the same with man and most other mammals. Only that the vertebrae are much bigger. The tail measures up to one yard with a terminal tuft of stiff, black hair.
They have long tongues that measure 18-21 inches long. The inner part of the tongue is pink in color, and then changes to a purplish-black color for the last 6 inches that are commonly visible. ……… I wish you see them browse on the acacias.

A quick look at the adaptations of the Giraffe
Giraffes have long legs and neck, long, tough, prehensile tongue, and leathery mouth for food gathering. Their coloration is protective. They are tall with good eyesight for watchfulness. Giraffes have high blood pressure (240/160) for pumping blood to the brain. Herds are small and loosely constructed of 5-15 individuals, consisting of one bull with females and young. Other bulls are solitary or in pairs.

Another interesting thing about the giraffe is that they usually sleep standing up for only 1-12 minutes. Going for a month without water is also possible as an adaptation to long drought periods in their native areas.
Giraffe is browsing ruminant that eats regularly throughout the day, they prefer young leaves and shoots at tops of acacia trees which sometimes ends up shaping the regularly visited trees. They prefer to drink regularly, but can go without water for several days and can run up to 35 mph. Predators are leopards (prey on young), lions, and man. Giraffes kick with their hooves and slam with their heads.

Off springs.....
Giraffes are non-seasonal breeders, usually producing one calf after a gestation period of 14-15 months. Newborn giraffe calves begin their lives by falling up to about 6 feet to the ground, and weight 87-107 lbs. They become sexually mature between 3 and 4 years of age and have a life span of about 25 years and up to 30 in captivity. Full body size is not reached until five years of age.

It is interesting to note that...
The carotid artery that carries blood from the heart to the head is thick, muscular and elastic, ballooning when the giraffe stoops to absorb increase in pressure. When the giraffe raises its head, a series of check valves in the inch-wide jugular vein prevents a sudden back flow from the head, emptying the brain. They are most vulnerable to predators when drinking or lying down. They may see red-orange, yellow-green, purple, green and blue as colors. Their scientific name means "camel-leopard-like one who walks swiftly." Their spot patterns are as individual as fingerprints. They are among the very few mammals that cannot swim at all.
Head/shoulder length is approximately 13' for the male. Shoulder height is 8-12', overall height 15-19' and Weight is 1,100-2,800 lbs.

Giraffe’s have a variety of sounds but they are rarely heard. They may grunt of snort when alarmed, females may whistle to call their young, and calves can bleat
There are more to learn and see in the giraffe especially the walking style but, I won't tell you now until you make arrangements to see them. Almost every large park and reserve in Kenya has at least one species. But for you, I would recommend you take a safari to Samburu and see the most beautiful of the three and then proceed to Lake Nakuru and see the largest of the three yet the most endangered. From there you can voyage to Amboseli or Mara and take pleasure in the look of the Kenyan named Maasai giraffe. An extension to the coastal beaches of Kenya is fare as well…….

Next time we look on the leopard, probably the most beautiful cat ………… Join me then!!



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The magical Zanzibar…

There are many islands in Indian Ocean on the tropics of east Africa but there is one that is more mystical and awe-inspiring – The Zanzibar Island. It is an island with alluring history rich in dramatic olden episodes that none of its neighbors can fail to notice and adore. 

The beaches of Zanzibar are a paradise, interspersed with picturesque fishing villages, where the people live a simple way of life, unchanged over the years. There are more than 25 fantastic beaches in Zanzibar, and some are so peaceful and remote that the only noise breaking the silence is likely to be the ocean tides.

The East Coast of Zanzibar is among the best places on Zanzibar. The part boasts endless palm tree-lined beaches, fringed by one of the best and untouched reef systems in the world. You can also visit small fishing villages and enjoy a tranquil, friendly atmosphere away from the mainstream and large tourist-type resorts. 

The area is haven for those looking for a place to relax and who want to experience a local, cultural experience. For the vacationers, Zanzibar invokes sights, sounds and smells of ancient days. Though part of the modern world, Zanzibar is still one of the few “get-away” places available for the astute voyager. Enjoy relaxing at the sultry, spick and span-white beaches while the turquoise-crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean lap at your feet. Or if you are more adventuresome, step back in time as you explore the diverse cultures of Zanzibar and enjoy what Zanzibar has to offer. It makes the perfect end to your safari and expeditions on the mainland.

People say, you have never been to Zanzibar until you explore the exotic & historic Stone Town, visit the famous spice gardens and Boat trip to the famous yet controversial Prison Island. You will need also to visit the East Coast which was founded to promote Eco-tourism. The area economically benefits local communities and is sensitive to the natural environment

You can spice up your vacation by visiting the northern tip of Zanzibar called Nungwi which is accessible by road lined with banana palms, mangroves and coconut trees. This is the dhow building capital of Zanzibar Island, so it is a good place to see traditional craftsmen at work.

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Uganda – A must visit Top 10 attractions

Uganda – A must visit Top 10 attractions

It is almost a month now since our Nature series team launched its wide strides to Uganda. The first write-up on gorilla tracking has been a great welcome to a diverse community in the travel and tourism world. This time round, we have been chasing after a fortune of identifying Uganda’s top ten attractions and we found an incredible list of our fortune here!!

1.Kidepo Valley National Park

The Kidepo Valley National Park is one of Uganda’s most spectacular parks. It is 1,442 square kilometres and harbor scenery unsurpassed in any other park in East Africa. Tucked into the corner of Uganda’s border with Sudan and Kenya, the park offers breathtaking Savannah landscapes, which end in rugged horizon. The vegetation can most excellent be described as open tree Savannah which varies much in structure and composition. Mountain forest dominates some of the high places, while areas along the Lorupei River support dense Acacia geradi forest. The flora and fauna of the park are more typical of Kenya than the rest of Uganda. The landscape throughout the park is studded with small hills, rocky outcrops and inselbergs from which one can obtain stunning views in all directions. The Kidepo Valley National Park was established in the 1960s. Kidepo Valley National Park is a 1436 km² national park in Karamoja region in northwest Uganda. Kidepo is rugged savannah, dominated by the 2750 m Mount Morungole and transected by the Rivers Kidepo and Narus. Perennial water makes River Kidepo an oasis in the semi-desert which hosts over 86 mammal species including lion, cheetah, leopard, bat-eared fox, giraffe – as well as almost 500 bird species.

2.Sipi falls

Sipi Falls is supposedly one of Uganda’s most beautiful sights. It is one of the major tourist attractions in Uganda and is about 15 km from Kapchorwa.Sipi Falls is a series of three waterfalls and lie near Kapchorwa, north of Mbale. The waterfalls lie on the edge of Mount Elgon National Park, near Mount Elgon on the Kenyan border.

3.Mt Elgon National Park, Uganda

Mt. Elgon National park is located near Mbale in the Eastern part of Uganda. The park covers 1,145 sq km. It is named after Mt Elgon (4,321m), an extinct Volcanic Mountain that lies on Uganda’s border with Kenya. In the prehistoric times this mountain stood taller than Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in East Africa. Though the Mountain is shared by Uganda and Kenya its highest point Wagagai peak (4321m) lies in Uganda. The mountain has got three other major peaks which are Kiongo (4303m), Mubiyi (4210m) and Jackson’s summit (4165m). Mt. Elgon is known locally as Mt. Masaba. Masaba is the name of the founding ancestor of the Bagisu who is said to have emerged from a cave on the slopes several centuries ago. The Park can be accessed by road. The journey takes around 3-4 hours from Kampala along a good tarmac road. Hiking is the major tourism activity. Climbing Mt. Elgon is not so much challenging and therefore can attract both medium climbers and the experienced climbers. From here, you can visit the exquisite Sipi Falls for scenic viewing, Nature walks from Budadiri trailhead. Community visits and participation in Imbalu dances.

4.Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi

The Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi are regarded as the major spiritual centre for the Buganda people, the largest Ugandan ethnic group. They constitute a site embracing almost 30 ha of hillside within Kampala district. Most of the site is agricultural, farmed by traditional methods. At its core on the hilltop is the former palace of the Kabakas of Buganda, built in 1882 and converted into the royal burial ground in 1884. Four royal tombs now lie within the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga, the main building, which is circular and surmounted by a dome. It is a major example of an architectural success in organic materials, principally wood, thatch, reed, wattle and daub. The site’s main undertone lies, however, in its indefinable values of belief, spirituality, continuity and identity. Guides at Kasubi lead visitors around the area and into the building, explaining the history of the Baganda and the cultural traditions associated with the tombs.

5.Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

It is known for its exceptional biodiversity, with more than 160 species of trees and over 100 species of ferns. The park is part of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and is situated along the Democratic Republic of Congo border next to the Virunga National Park and on the edge of the western Rift Valley. It comprises 331 square kilometres of jungle forests and contains both montane and lowland forest and is accessible only on foot. Many species of birds and butterflies can also be found there, as well as many endangered species, including the mountain gorilla. Bwindi is also an incredible preserve home to some of Africa’s most endangered animals. It is a haven for gorilla tracking.

6.Rwenzori Mountains National Park

The Rwenzori Mountains National Park covers nearly 100,000 ha in western Uganda and comprises the main part of the Rwenzori mountain chain, which includes Africa’s third highest peak (Mount Margherita: 5,109 m). The region’s glaciers, waterfalls and lakes make it one of Africa’s most beautiful alpine areas. The park has many natural habitats of endangered species and a rich and unusual flora comprising, among other species, the giant heather.

7.Mpanga National Reserve

This is a government nature reserve 453 hectares in size. Gazette around 50 years ago, the 45km2 Mpanga forest reserve near the small town of Mpigi, lies 37kms west of Kampala on the road to Masaka. It is a compact forest offering a cathedral like atmosphere in which to enjoy fabulous bird watching. The main forest center in 500 m from the main high way and marked by a decorative sign. Visitors are welcome to picnic or camp at the forest center and follow any of the well marked trails to the south of the river. The reserve protects an extensive patch of medium -altitude rainforest, characteristic of the vegetation that once extended over much of the northern lake Victoria Hinterland, but has largely been cleared over the past century due to human activity. Wide footpaths (initially made by researchers) crisscross the forest where Celtis mildbraedii and Bosquieia phoberos form the dominant tree species. The forest is now is now open to public.

8.Mabira Forest reserve

Mabira forest lies along the main highway running from Jinja to Kampala. Its actual location is 54 km from kampala and 20 km from Jinja. The forest centre is on the edge of Najjembe village approximately 500m north of the main road. If you are coming from Kampala, it is signposted to your left before you reach the roadside market at Najjembe. The Mabira forest project was established with help from the European Union. There are 10 forest trails catering for people of all time schedules and abilities with options of both guided and unguided trails. If you are not rushing to the west of Uganda or needing to get to Kampala in a hurry, then consider Mabira Forest – a pleasant backwater and stop over.

9.Lake Victoria, Uganda

While the communities living around the lake have many stories to tell in addition to the lake being a source of living for them, no need to add to what Wikipedia says;

“Lake Victoria or Victoria Nyanza (also known as Ukerewe and Nalubaale) is one of the Great Lakes of Africa. Lake victoria is 3rd biggest lake in the world covering 68,800 square kilometres (26,560 mi²) in size – making it the continent’s largest lake, the largest tropical lake in the world, and the second largest fresh water lake in the world in terms of surface area (third largest if one considers Lake Michigan-Huron as a single lake). Being relatively shallow for its size, with a maximum depth of 84 m (276 ft) and a mean depth of 40 m (131 ft), Lake Victoria ranks as the seventh largest freshwater lake by volume, containing 2,750 cubic kilometres (2.2 million acre-feet) of water. It is the source of the longest branch of the Nile River, the White Nile, and has a water catchment area of 184,000 square kilometres (71,040 mi²). It is a biological hotspot with great biodiversity. The lake lies within an elevated plateau in the western part of Africa’s Great Rift Valley and is subject to territorial administration by Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. The lake has a shoreline of 3,440 km (2138 miles), and has more than 3,000 islands, many of which are inhabited. These include the Ssese Islands in Uganda, a large group of islands in the northwest of the Lake that are becoming a popular destination for tourists”

10.The people of Uganda the cultural diversity

The Uganda culture is made up of a dissimilar array of cultural groups.It includes a number of religious groups like Christians, Sikhs and Hindus. People speak in 40 languages out of which Luganda is the most common. Swahili is also used while English is the official language. Literature of Uganda is very rich as well.Many of the regions like Buganda, Bunyoro and Toro had kingdoms of their own. Lake Kyoga forms the northern periphery for the Bantu-speaking peoples, who dominate much of east, central and southern Africa. In Uganda they include the Baganda and several other tribes. In the north live the Lango and the Acholi, who speak Nilotic languages. Iteso and Karamojong who speak a Nilotic language, occupy the east parts of Uganda and few Pygmies live isolated in the rainforests of western Uganda. Each of the tribe is very respectful to their tradition and the culture of Uganda can be best described as a melting pot of diverse cultural practices. The Uganda people are quite hospitable.

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Mt. Elgon National park – Secluded splendor.

On the western boarder of Kenya and Uganda lies a magnificent land form of extinct shield volcacano whose undulations and peaks give a shear feeling of untamed wilderness and secluded splendor. Its slopes support rich variety of vegetation from mount forest to high open moorland studded with the giant lobelia and groundsel plants all dictated by change of altitude. This is Mount Elgon National park!

The park boasts one of the most unique botanical diversity ranging from low attitude podocarpus and the Elgon Olive trees to the high attitude broad-leaf montane forest whose notable Ranunculus keniensis (previously thought endemic to Mount Kenya) occurs.

At the Endebess Bluff, there are panoramic view of the areas' escarpments, gorges, mesas, and rivers. The highest peak of Mt. Elgon on the Kenya side, Koitoboss, measures 13,852 ft (4,155 m), and is easily reached by hikers in about two hours from the road's end. Activities include; hiking to Endebess Bluff and Koitoboss Peak, Primate and bird watching, Cave explorations, Camping photography to mention but a few.

For bird lovers, you will be treated with a share of over 300 birds’ species including the endangered Lammergeier, African Goshawk and Baglafecht weaver. The Maathai Longleg an endangered dragonfly was discovered here in the year 2000 and named after Nobel Prize winner Wangari Mathaai. 

Together with the fauna and flora, the park has a variety of scenery such as cliffs, caves, waterfalls, gorges, mesas, calderas, hot springs, and the mountain peaks. The most popular areas are the four explore-able, vast caves where frequent night visitors such as elephants and buffaloes come to lick the natural salt found on the cave walls. Kitum cave, with overhanging crystalline walls, enters 200m into the side of Mt. Elgon.

Recent studies have shown that elephants and other mammals are major contributors to the development of these unique caves. The animals frequently visit the caves at night to 'mine' the natural salt by licking it from the cave walls. The caves are mapped and Kitum, Chepnyali, and Mackingeny can be explored by visitors to the park

From a cultural and ancient sustainable utilization and exploration, the park is popular for the setting of parts of Richard Preston's book ‘The Hot Zone’ with Kitum being the most popular part in setting of the book. Undoubtedly, Henry Rider Haggard's well-known novel 'King Solomon's Mines' may have also been inspired by the panoramic caves of Mt Elgon.

Other attractions include ancient cave paintings near the trailhead at Budadiri, and hot springs in the former volcano's crater which bubble at temperatures of up to 48°C

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