The Sipi Falls are located in Eastern Uganda, Kapchorwa district, approximately 280 kilometers from Kampala. The drive will take you about 4 to 5 hours. The falls lie on the edge of Mount Elgon National Park near the Kenyan Border. The name Sipi was derived from the traditional plant called ‘Sep’ that used to grow on the banks of the falls, and which the locals used to treat fevers and measles among themselves.
The Sipi Falls – Pride of Eastern Uganda
The fascinating mini rainbow that forms when they are hit by the morning sun is something for everyone to look forward to. Besides these 3 powerful falls, the entire landscape is dotted with more than 300 other ‘smaller’ waterfalls.
The Sipi falls have recently become a huge head turner for both foreign and local tourists. The misty fog created as the water drops with great strength and deep rumbling, the suspenseful hike to the top of the falls and the view it provides of the coffee plantations and surrounding Kapchorwa plains, and not forgetting the endless photo-worthy spots are some of the reasons why. If you are planning to visit the falls, here’s what you could expect to do and see.
Abseiling
This one of the most adventurous sports you will engage in on your trip. If you are an adrenaline junkie (in a good way), this is the activity for you. It is a sport where you descend down the slopes of the steep rocks with a friction device and rope. This is also called ‘rappelling’. Be sure to carry a helmet and comfortable converse shoes for this exercise. This is found at the Chebonet falls – elevated at 1272 meters above sea level. Chebonet falls is just close by but not one of the three Sipi falls, so basically an added marvel to your original expectation.
While abseiling, you are adjacent to Chebonet falls and below lies the bank of the falls. It is quite an adventure to have the mist from the fall embrace you as you descend with the water to the lowest point. This surreal experience is one of those activities that will excite all your senses.
Hiking
You are provided walking sticks to provide support on this hike. It takes you about 3 hours to hike all the three Sipi falls. Why come all the way and just hike one? For a full-blown experience, allocate three hours on your itinerary to see them all. The paths to the falls are approximately 7 to 8 kilometers with each hike a different adventure and new discoveries. You will be guided by a professional tour guide that knows the ins and outs of the place as well as the best spots with the best panoramic view of the valley!
Agro-tour
On this tour, you will get to experience the life of a coffee grower. The main type of coffee grown in this region is the Arabica coffee that grows at 1900 meters above sea level. A lot of people in this area are coffee growers who have been doing this for generations. Most of the lower Mount Elgon plains is clothed in coffee-growing at all stages. You will learn the entire process from planting, maintaining, processing to selling.
