The mountain is named after the Elgeyo tribe, who once lived in huge caves on the south side of the mountain.
Mt. Elgon consists of five major peaks: Wagagai (4,321m), being in Uganda; Sudek (4,302m or 14,140 ft) in Kenya, Koitobos (4,222m or 13,248 ft), a flat topped basalt column (Kenya), Mubiyi (4,211m or 13,816 ft), Masaba (4,161m or 13,650 ft)
Its vast form, eighty kilometres in diameter, rises 3070m above the surrounding plains, providing welcome relief in more than one sense of the word. Its mountainous terrain introduces variety to an otherwise monotonous regional landscape. Its cool heights offer respite for humans from the hot plains below and its higher altitudes provide a refuge for flora and fauna.

Mount Elgon is home to three tribes, the Bagisu, the Sabiny and the Ndorobo. The Bagisu and Sabiny are subsistence farmers and conduct circumcision ceremonies every other year to initiate young men (and in the Sabiny's case, girls) into adulthood. Traditionally, the Bagisu, also known as the BaMasaba, consider Mount Elgon to be the embodiment of their founding father Masaba, and you may hear the mountain called by this name. Local people have long depended on forest produce and have made agreements with the park to continue to harvest resources such as bamboo poles and bamboo shoots (a local delicacy).