Sipi falls is a lesser-known gem worth visiting. Sipi falls is a series of three separate falls formed at different altitudes.
Situated in Sipi Village Kapchorwa Mbale district, North East of Mbale and Sironko.
The name Sipi was derived from the word ‘sep’ which is a name of a wild banana-like indigenous plant that grows along the banks of the Sipi River, this plant can be used as medicine for treating fevers and measles by local people in that area.
With a cooler climate than most of the country Sipi Falls is a nice place to unwind, relax and literally chill out away from the hustle and bustle of the towns and cities.
Sipi falls is approximately 277km from Kampala Uganda’s capital in Kapchorwa district. Adventure lovers looking for a rush of adrenaline on their visit can abseil/rappel from the top of the 100 metre high Sipi Falls, or try climbing on the numerous high cliffs.
The Sipi Falls area is the starting point for many hikes up Mt. Elgon. The most popular route starts in Budadiri and follows the Sasa trail to the summit and then descends down the Sipi trail back into the Sipi Falls.
Hikes around the falls offer stunning views of the Karamoja plains, Lake Kyoga, coffee plantations and the slopes of Mt. Elgon.
The hike will involve up and down movements on the slopes to reach from one water fall to the other with the first one forms at 85 meters, the second one at 65 meters and the main fall at 100 meters above the sea level both on the foot hills of Mt Elgon. The roads and paths will be muddy especially if your hike is on a rainy day.
Being on the foothills of Mt. Elgon, Sipi offers a number of alternative activities to the mainstream river activities in. This falls give Uganda a beautiful scenery.
Most people say that Sipi falls are the ‘most romantic falls’ in Uganda which is evidenced by the wonderful falls. This area is majorly where most hikes to Mt. Elgon are started from.
Hiking up to these falls gives a beautiful scenic view, like Lake Kyoga, the Karamoja lowlands, coffee plantations and other surrounding areas.
To see all the water falls at different levels, travellers have to hike top to where the first water fall at 85 meters splashes from the main river. The entire trail is approximately 8 to 9 kilometres hiking upward.
Hiking is through steep slopes and sharp rocks, which make it quite strenuous especially in the rainy season. However, the trail meanders via local farms, villages and banana plantations, which make the hike a bit easy.
You will also need Hiking shoes as the hike climb is so steep, which is in most cases slippery behind the waterfall. Flowing water covers up the tracks making it muddy and slippery hence a need for hiking shoes.
You may be forced to take a swim and enjoy the cool water. The locals will definitely be there to entertain you as they dive in the water, some washing clothes and the rest trying to catch some fish although it’s not so much successful because of the rapid water. This place is called the Rob’s Rock.
The Sipi Falls area is particularly famous for locally grown Bugisu Arabica coffee. Bugisu Arabica only grows at an altitude of between 1,600 and 1,900 metres. Coffee tours are organized through guides with knowledge of coffee farming, processing and roasting.
