Sipi Falls, located at the foot of Mt. Elgon in Eastern Uganda, is a famous tourist destination. The falls are made up of three significant waterfalls that are linked together. The longest waterfall drops up to 100 metres, the second runs 75 metres below and has upper cascades before the plunge, and the third waterfall is 85 metres tall and columnar.
The falls are distinguished by a powerful flow of mist that generates a small rainbow whenever the sun shines, creating an ideal setting for romantic treats.
These stunning waterfalls draw their water from the slopes of Mt. Elgon and are located in Kapchorwa district’s Sipi hamlet, which is located around 55 kilometres north of Mbale City on the Uganda-Kenya border.
Many hikers attempting to conquer Mt. Elgon use the falls as a starting point. They are famous for their cool weather because they create ice cold water drops, which some travellers refer to as therapeutic and calming waters for the spirit, and they are surrounded by Bugisu Arabica coffee fields.
These majestic waterfalls get their name from the Sipi River, which was named after a natural local plant known as “Sep,” which looks like a wild banana with translucent green leaves and a bolt of crimson red for medical purposes as it heals fever and measles.
According to local folklore, British tourists approached a lady collecting wild plants in a neighbouring plantation and asked her the name of the falls; she misinterpreted them for asking the name of the plants and replied “Sep.”
The hot springs that flow on Sipi River, one of the rivers flowing on Mount Elgon, to the bottom pouring from a high rock forming a sequence of rapids, flowing to Lake Kyoga, are the source of this stunning triad of waterfalls.
The falls are a fantastic idea and a delightful site to visit all year, demonstrating to tourists that they are a good habitat for getting away from the hustle and bustle of city or town life. In addition, one can immerse themselves in and swim in the mighty freshwater at their bottom, participate in meditation sessions, and enjoy exciting touristic adventures such as abseiling among several other activities.
Activities at Sipi falls are;
- Coffee Tours
- Abseiling
- Hiking
- Bird watching
- Mountain biking
- Mountain hiking
- Community tours
- Sunset walk
- Ndorobo trail
- Boda boda tour
- Cave tours
- Sisiyi Falls walk
- Kalenjin Wildness trail
- Sebei cultural tour
- Rock climbing
- Price per Person, Starting from US$200
