Mount Elgon National Park, Uganda and Kenya
Mount Elgon National Park, a protected area shared by Uganda and Kenya, safeguards one of East Africa’s oldest and largest volcanic mountains. Recognised for its exceptional biodiversity, the park encompasses montane forests and high-altitude moorlands. These ecosystems provide refuge for a variety of animal species, while the mountain’s extensive forest cover regulates water flow and feeds rivers which support surrounding communities and agriculture.
Located along the international border east of Mbale in Uganda and west of Kitale in Kenya, Mount Elgon is visible in this image acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites on 15 January 2026. Dense vegetation appears in deep green, contrasting with the lighter tones of cultivated land beyond the park boundaries, while the central caldera is marked by brown and ochre hues.
Copernicus satellite data enable continuous monitoring of forest health, land-use change, and ecosystem pressures, supporting conservation and sustainable land management in this transboundary landscape.
