Sipi Falls is a series of three waterfalls which lie on the edge on Mount Elgon National Park in Eastern district of Kapchorwa – Uganda near the Kenyan border. Sipi falls location is in eastern Uganda, approximately 277 kilometers from Kampala. This is the starting point for those planning to hike 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, and the slopes of Mt. Elgon.
The Mountain Rivers plunge as beautiful waterfalls due to a series of massive basalt cliffs on the north & western sides of Mount Elgon. The Sipi River is named after the ‘Sep’, a plant indigenous to the banks of the River. Resembling a type of wild banana, Sep is a medicinal plant, the translucent green frond with a bolt of crimson rib is used for treating measles and fever.
The highest fall drops from an altitude of 100m referred to as the main fall since it is the last fall in the series, this fall is a little bigger than the other two falls, but all give Uganda a beautiful scenery. In fact 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 low lands, coffee plantations and other surrounding areas.
The climate around the Sipi falls is most of the time cool since its hilly and when it gets some rains, hiking is a bit hard.
The nearby communities have hospitable people and majorly the Sabiny and Bagishu. They do farming such as growing of Arabica coffee which is the major cash crop in this land. This coffee is grown on altitudes between 1600metres and 1900metres above sea level. A visit to see the coffee plantations can be organized by the local guides who have knowledge of coffee farming, processing and roasting. Profits from this go towards community projects.
There is a wide range of accommodation near Mount Elgon national park of all budgets with a number of lodges and campsites.
Things to do at Sipi falls;
Hiking
Abseiling & Rock Climbing
Cultural encounters
Coffee plantation visit
Mountain biking
Bird watching
Sipi river visit
A tour to visit the Sipi falls in Kapchorwa can be arranged by our Tour consultant. Contact us now for more details