Straddling the Kenyan border, the freestanding Mt Elgon was gazzetted in 1993 to protect a 1145km² varied eco-zones ranging from afro-montane to bamboo zones and afro-alpine zones. This extinct volcano is the oldest in the region with the broadest base of any mountain (about 80km²) towering from the surrounding flat plains to 4321m asl, making it the 8^th highest mountain in Africa. The tallest peaks sit on a jagged caldera (Africa’s biggest) rim that stretches some 8km wide whose floor hosts several crater lakes and hot springs.