Sipi Falls
Sipi Falls Breathtaking Waterfalls In Uganda
Sipi Falls is the most beautiful, stunning and breathtaking waterfalls in Uganda with a series of three waterfalls all of different heights. This is a reason you should consider visiting sipi falls in Africa (Uganda).
The view of the wide plains disappearing into the distance below is also spectacular. It’s well worth spending a night or two in this peacefully magnificent place, which also allows you time to enjoy some of the excellent walks in the area, including the show-stopping descent to the bottom of the falls.
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. Profits from this go towards community projects.
Sipi falls is located in the East of Uganda approximately 277km from Kampala Uganda’s capital in Kapchorwa district. These falls are found on the foothills of Mountain Elgon just at the edge of Mount Elgon National park nearing the Kenyan border to Uganda. 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.
The sipi falls is comprised of 3 waterfalls each flowing from a different altitude. 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 in this area is cool since it’s a hilly area and sometimes as individuals are hiking there are rains, which makes hiking a bit hard but it is also an experience of its own, generally it is a place available for chilling, loosening up and relaxing from the congestion around cities.
The nearby communities have hospitable people and majorly the Sabiny and Bagishu live around this area and 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. While there individuals can engage in visiting these plantations, these visits can be organized by local guides in the area.
There are no worries of where to stay or how much to pay and all other things because all types of accommodation are available for you while in Sipi such as the luxurious lodges, mid range hotels and budget hotels and also campsites are available for those interested in camping.
The trails of Sipi water falls
Since these falls are derived from the Sipi River, they fall from different altitudes and are found in different locations, which is why you need to hike looking for the waterfall trails.
As the Sipi River flows from the top, you find the first water fall with a great and roaring splash, as you hike to this fall it is a bit terrifying but it is safe and really an amazing place. This fall is the second highest falling from an altitude of 85metres over a cliff forming a pool below, the paths to this fall are a bit slippery so you need to be conscious of where you step.
After it doesn’t stop there, the river continues to flow through local communities, gardens and over rocks until to meets another cliff of about 65metres high, hence forming the second water fall referred to as a ‘twin fall’ but it is smaller than the other two waterfalls.
It has a manmade cave which gives you accessibility to view the falls from behind, also after the long hike you can choose to go under the natural shower formed by this fall for a relief but during the rainy season you are not advised to do so since the amount of water increases and the shower becomes too dangerous. While at these falls take as many photos you want, enjoy the cold atmosphere a time never to forget!
The river still flows through bushes and trees, and meets another cliff about 100metres high; this is the biggest of all the three waterfalls also called the main waterfall, which has made many people think it is the “the Sipi Falls” not considering the other two falls. Just like the other falls this water fall also forms a pool below with beautiful rainbows that is sometimes referred to as “a natural swimming pool”.
Being here actually gives an incredible experience of a life time!
When to go to Sipi Falls
Sipi falls is a nice place to visit all year round. Uganda has tropical climate and this means that it is warm all year and has no drastic changes. Sipi falls itself is always cool, in fact cooler than all the areas around and is a wonderful place to visit to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. As mentioned before a swim in the Sipi waters can be next to heavenly and the environment is good for meditation. The scenery will have you thanking God for his creation.