About 110 kms north-west of Kakamega National Reserve and about 30 kilometres north-west of Kitale town lies Mt. Elgon National Park . The park embraces the south-eastern slopes of the second highest mountain in Kenya . It was established in 1968 to preserve the mountain scenic beauty, flora and fauna found there. It is the remains of a former volcano with the highest peak reaching 4320m (14178 ft.).
A virgin park where giant groundsels and giant lobelia grow over the 3650 metres (12000 ft.) level and everlasting flowers (Helichrysum species) cover the moorlands as far as the eye can see. Olive forests cover the mountain slopes.
The Mt. Elgon 's unique and exciting caves are frequented by elephant, buffalo and bushbucks - licking, salt on the walls of the caves. Leopards and hyenas can be found hiding in the many crevasses in the caves to ambush the salt lickers. The caves are also inhabited by thousands of bats.
Large herds of elephant, buffalo, giant forest hogs, blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkey as well as hundreds of mountain bird species add to the charms of this beautiful park. The colobus monkeys are seen swinging from branch to branch.
