The caves of Mount Elgon Natural Park are a rare natural phenomenon, and a lifetime opportunity for the watchers to witness a rare evening feast.
Many herbivores experience a condition known as the “salt hunger” as a result of the lack of sodium in their usual diet. That is why rangers in many parks provide the so called “salt licks” for the animals and in this way make a good spot to watch them in groups. The groups are often followed by their predators making the gathering a true sight of the nature in act.
In Mount Elgon however, the elephants have found their own, natural “salt lick” spot and every night they perform in convoys of more then hundred individuals, for the people who came to see them.
The largest of the four caves is Kitum, meaning “Place of Ceremonies”, which extends 200m(660ft) into the mountain. The other natural salt-rich caves are Makingeny, Ngwarisha and Chepnyalil. In the remote caves hyenas and other wildlife can be seen, while leopards watch near the entrances hoping to catch a meal.
The best panoramic view of the Elgon Mountain is from Endebess Bluff, from where you can admire many lakes, rivers and gorges hiding in the mountain shadows.
