March 29, 2024

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All about the Sipi falls


Sipi Falls is made up of three waterfalls in Eastern Uganda on the edge of Mount Elgon National Park near the Kenyan border in the district of Kapchorwa, northeast of Sironko and Mbale particularly knownfor locally grown Bugisu Arabica coffee which only grows at an altitude of between 1,600 and 1,900 meters. Apart from hiking, guided Coffee tours are organized through guides with knowledge of coffee farming, processing and roasting and the profits from this go towards community development projects.

The Sipi River is named after the ‘Sep’, a plant native to the banks of the River with appearance of a type of wild banana but in this sub-region, Sep is a medicinal plant, the translucent green frond with a bolt of crimson rib for treating measles and fever.

The Sipi Falls area is the starting point for many hikes up Mt. Elgon with the most popular route starting in Budadiri and follows the Sasa trail to the summit and then descends down the Sipi trail back into the Sipi Falls where views of the Karamoja plains, Lake Kyoga, and the slopes of Mt. Elgon are thrillingly offered.

Activities

Energizing activities here include;

  • Coffee tours
  • Mountain biking through established trails
  • Walks to Sipi falls
  • Photography
  • Abseiling
  • Runners experience
  • Fly fishing
  • Mount Elgon Trekking

Attractions around Sipi Falls

Within the Sipi falls area, there are other attractions that give a natural satisfaction to the visitors of the waterfalls and they include;

  • Mount Elgon, an extinct volcano with the largest surface area than any extinct volcano in the world and 4th highest peak in Africa.
  • Mount Elgon National Park with one part in Uganda established in 1992 on 1,110 square kilometer (430 square miles) piece of land and the other part in Kenya was established in 1968 on 169 square kilometers (65 sq mi) and together they sum up to 1,279 square kilometers (494 sq mi).
  • Arabica coffee plantations ground at the slopes of Mount Elgon and guided nature walks are organized.
  • Sipi River which pours down from a high cliff and it is where the waterfalls derive its name from.
  • Bamasaba people (Bagisu) rich in cultural practices like ‘Embalu’ where males are circumcised to qualify to be in the company of other men and ‘Kadodi’- a cultural dance performed in various ceremonies by them.
  • The Sabiny who are the original inhabitants of Kapchorwa, Kween and Bukwo districts famous for their female genital mutilation where females are circumcised as part of their cultural practices.

How to get there

By road, the Sipi falls is about 268 Kilometers, east of Kampala and takes you about 5 hours while you drive towards the Eastern part of Uganda via Mukono, Lugazi, Jinja and Mbale towns where you will then connect to Kapchorwa town where the Sipi Falls can be clearly viewed.

You can board a bus or taxi at Ugshs25000 as public transportation to Kapchorwa town or decide to hire a private car for a self-drive or guided trip to this magical place.

If you plan on visiting the Sipi falls for an adventurous trip, simply call us today on +256-758540071 or send us an email to booking@tristarafricaskimmersafaris.com  and the reservations team will handle your bookings and any other inquiries. �Z�9_�/