Hiking the Sipi falls

Hiking the Sipi falls: Sipi falls lie at an altitude of about 1775 meters above sea level on the slopes of Mount Elgon national park. The Sipi falls are one of the most beautiful falls in Uganda found in the foothills of Mount Elgon Kapchorwa district. Sipi falls are found on the northwestern slopes of Mount Elgon but outside the boundaries of Mount Elgon national park. The Sipi falls are found along the Sipi trails one of the hiking trails on Mount Elgon.

Sipi falls are one of the falls on the slopes of Mountain Elgon getting its name from the local word “Sep” which means banana like indigenous plant. This plant grows on the slopes of the mountain especially at along the banks of the river. The local people saw this plant around the water pool and named the falls Sipi falls.

Tourists who have heard about Sipi falls and are interested in visiting them can do so while on a safari in Uganda. These falls are found along the way to Mountain Elgon national park on the eastern side of Uganda. Hiking to the Sipi falls is not challenging, doesn’t require physical fitness, and can be done by anyone for 3 to 4 hours.

Hiking the Sipi falls

Hiking to the Sipi falls is a 3 to 4 hours activity that takes you through the lush greenery vegetation on the lower slopes of Mountain Elgon. It’s the Sipi trail that leads you to the Sipi fall and the activity is led by local guides. Before starting the hiking, the local guides teach hikers things to do and not to do throughout the activity.

Hiking to Sipi falls takes tourists through different vegetation covers along the Sipi River where they meet a few wildlife species like the birds. Along the way, tourists still meet the local people who live in the areas nearby. These local people can tell you about their tribe and how they live their day to day lives as you hike slowly to the falls.

The higher you hike heading to the Sipi falls, the better the views of the surrounding areas which include the hills, valleys, coffee plantations, river Sipi, and other water sources. Hikers who move with their cameras get opportunities to take beautiful pictures and record videos. At the end of the hike, you will get to see the Sipi falls which fall from about 95 meters tall before falling to make a pool of water.

Items to pack for the Sipi falls hike

What to pack for Sipi falls hiking can include waterproof hiking shoes, day backpack, a walking stick, a rain jacket, long-sleeved pants, long-sleeved shirts, warm gloves, long cotton stocks, a pair of gaiters, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a camera, a pair of binoculars, energy giving snacks and drinking water bottle to mention but a few.

How much does it cost to hike the Sipi falls?

There is no exact amount of money one pays to hike the Sipi falls because the activity is carried out by different service providers who charge different fees. The price for hiking Sipi falls ranges from 15$ to 25$ per person for 3 to 4 hours. More than 4 hours, the price can be agreed upon with your local guide. The money paid is shared by the local guide and the Sipi community office who maintain the area and keep it perfect for tourism activities.

When to hike Sipi falls

Tourists visiting eastern Uganda can visit Sipi falls at any time of the year but the dry season would be the best. June to September and December to February are the best to visit the Sipi falls because they are characterized by little rainfall and plenty of sunshine. The hiking trails to the falls are dry and passable which makes movement of hikers easy and the vegetation is short giving clear views of the falls and areas nearby.

Hiking to the Sipi falls can still be possible during the rainy season happening from March to May and October to November. This is a period when the area is receiving too much rainfall and little sunshine. Tourists who will hike to the Sipi falls in the rainy season will find the hiking trails muddy and slippery, and the vegetation is tall with unclear views of the area and surrounding areas.

Getting to Sipi falls

Sipi falls is found in Kapchorwa district on the northwestern slopes of Mountain Elgon outside Mount Elgon national park. The Sipi falls are accessed using road transport and starting from Entebbe, one goes through Kampala, Jinja, Uganda, Mbale, and then Kapchorwa where they are found. It takes 4 to 5 hours by road to get to Sipi falls from Entebbe/Kampala.