Sipi Falls is a series of three waterfalls in Eastern Uganda in the district of Kapchorwa, northeast of Sironko and Mbale. The waterfalls lie on the edge of Mount Elgon National Park near the Kenyan border.
There are a number of lodges and backpackers / campsites in the area offering a range of accommodation for all budgets. With a cooler climate than most of the country Sipi Falls is a nice place to unwind, relax and literally chill out away from the hustle and bustle of the towns and cities. Being on the foothills of Mt. Elgon, Sipi offers a number of alternative activities to the mainstream river activities in and around Jinja. Rob's Rolling Rock, a local outfit trained by Italian climbers offers a heart racing abseil descent to the side of the main 100m Sipi waterfall as well as climbing on a local crag which has 14 bolted sport routes ranging in difficulty from easy climbs for beginners to some seriously overhanging routes to test the skill of even the best climbers. Other activities include hiking around the local area and visiting the local waterfalls. All the campsites and lodges have guides who can take you for walks for a very reasonable fee. Guided walks are recommended as many of the walks follow local footpaths and at times it can be difficult to find your way. Be careful of guides touting for business from the roadside - these colourful characters are usually very friendly but do often over charge and can be a little 'shady'. Hikes around the falls offer stunning views of the Karamoja plains, Lake Kyoga, and the slopes of Mt. Elgon.
Most trekking expeditions up Mt. Elgon are based in the Sipi Falls area. The most popular route starts in Budadiri and follows the Sasa trail to the summit and then descends down the Sipi trail back into the Sipi Falls. Individuals can organise trips through the Uganda Wildlife Authority, however Sipi River Lodge is currently the only company providing an organised Mt. Elgon package.
The Sipi River is named after the ‘Sep’, a plant indigenous to the banks of the River. Resembling a type of wild banana, Sep is a medicinal plant, the translucent green frond with a bolt of crimson rib is used for treating measles and fever.
The Sipi Falls area is particularly famous for Bugisu Arabica Coffee produced and grown locally by farmers. Bugisu Arabica only grows at an altitude of between 1,600 and 1,900 metres, it is the main cash crop in the area and genuinely one of the finest coffee's in the world. Coffee tours are organised through Sipi River Lodge where you learn all there is to know about coffee farming, processing and roasting. Profits from this go towards community projects
There are a number of lodges and backpackers / campsites in the area offering a range of accommodation for all budgets. With a cooler climate than most of the country Sipi Falls is a nice place to unwind, relax and literally chill out away from the hustle and bustle of the towns and cities. Being on the foothills of Mt. Elgon, Sipi offers a number of alternative activities to the mainstream river activities in and around Jinja. Rob's Rolling Rock, a local outfit trained by Italian climbers offers a heart racing abseil descent to the side of the main 100m Sipi waterfall as well as climbing on a local crag which has 14 bolted sport routes ranging in difficulty from easy climbs for beginners to some seriously overhanging routes to test the skill of even the best climbers. Other activities include hiking around the local area and visiting the local waterfalls. All the campsites and lodges have guides who can take you for walks for a very reasonable fee. Guided walks are recommended as many of the walks follow local footpaths and at times it can be difficult to find your way. Be careful of guides touting for business from the roadside - these colourful characters are usually very friendly but do often over charge and can be a little 'shady'. Hikes around the falls offer stunning views of the Karamoja plains, Lake Kyoga, and the slopes of Mt. Elgon.
Most trekking expeditions up Mt. Elgon are based in the Sipi Falls area. The most popular route starts in Budadiri and follows the Sasa trail to the summit and then descends down the Sipi trail back into the Sipi Falls. Individuals can organise trips through the Uganda Wildlife Authority, however Sipi River Lodge is currently the only company providing an organised Mt. Elgon package.
The Sipi River is named after the ‘Sep’, a plant indigenous to the banks of the River. Resembling a type of wild banana, Sep is a medicinal plant, the translucent green frond with a bolt of crimson rib is used for treating measles and fever.
The Sipi Falls area is particularly famous for Bugisu Arabica Coffee produced and grown locally by farmers. Bugisu Arabica only grows at an altitude of between 1,600 and 1,900 metres, it is the main cash crop in the area and genuinely one of the finest coffee's in the world. Coffee tours are organised through Sipi River Lodge where you learn all there is to know about coffee farming, processing and roasting. Profits from this go towards community projects
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