Mount Elgon National Park is a 4,321m high extinct volcano which in prehistoric times stood taller than Kilimanjaro does today. Mount Elgon National Park sits on the Kenya Uganda border with both countries having their area as a National Park. However, the loftiest peak, Wagagai, lies within Uganda and is best climbed from the Uganda side. Mt. Elgon is an important watershed, and its slopes support a rich variety of attitudinal vegetation zones ranging from montane forest to high open moorland studded with the other-worldly giant lobelia and groundsel plants. Spectacular scenery is the main attraction for hikers on this oft-neglected and relatively undemanding mountain, but there is also a variety of forest monkeys and small antelope, along with elephant and buffalo. A checklist topping 300 birds includes many species not recorded elsewhere in Uganda. Other attractions include ancient cave paintings close to the trailhead at Budadiri, and spectacular caves and hot springs within the crater.