Kapkuro Bandas

Location: Mt Elgon District, Western Province,  and Trans Zoia District, Rift Valley Province 470 km north-west of Nairobi and 35 km from Kitale.

Accommodation: 2 cottages, each cottage divided into two self contained bandas. Each banda has one bedroom with one double and one single bed. Total accommodation: 4 one bedroom bandas.

• Bathroom: Each banda has an ensuite bathroom and WC. Hot water is provided by the wood burning stove.
• Sitting room: Each banda has an indoor seating area (no log fire)
• Dining area: Each banda has an outdoor dining area with table, chairs and a simple barbecue.
• Kitchen: Each banda has a small kitchen with gas stove, kitchen utensils, cutlery, crockery and glasses.
• Provided: Caretaker, kerosene lamps, blankets and pillows. A small kiosk sells basic requirements.

Park highlights: Ranging from wet montane and bamboo forests to Afro- alpine moorlands this rugged and pristine Park also features a series of famous bat- filled caves, where troglodyte elephant come to mine salt.

Activities:  Walking, climbing, caving, bird watching and horse riding. Guided walks are offered within the vicinity of the bandas, a KWS ranger escort is required. Guided walks can also be taken at the Kitum Cave Trail and the Ngwarisha, Chepnyalil and Makingeni Cave Trails.

Wildlife: Includes; elephant, leopard, giant forest hog, bushbuck, Waterbuck, buffalo, red duiker, Sykes’  &  Colobus monkey, olive baboon, spotted hyena, oribi, aardvark, porcupine, rock hyrax and genet cat.

Birds: More than 240 species of birds

How to get there:

• By road: From Kitale head north-west towards Endebess along the tarmac road. There is a brown KWS sign post marking the left hand turning to the park. A murram (dirt) road heads straight to Mount Elgon Lodge and Chorlim Gate.
• Location of bandas: The bandas are inside the Park 1 km from Chorlim Gate. Note: Park regulations require that guests wishing to use the Kapkuro Bandas must be escorted by a ranger to the bandas.
• Roads: 2WD is suitable for part of the year; 4WD is essential during the rainy season.

Open: daily 6.00 a.m. - 7.00 p.m. including public holidays. Note: entry is not allowed on foot and visitors will not be allowed into the Park after 6.15 p.m.

‘SafariCard’ required? At present this Park does not operate the SafariCard system and entry is by cash only (Ksh or US$)