Sipi Falls

Sipi Falls is a set of three waterfalls on the green slopes of Mount Elgon, in Kapchorwa District in eastern Uganda, near the Kenyan border. The falls drop over high cliffs among coffee farms and banana gardens.

Why go

The highest of the three falls drops close to 100 metres, and on clear days the view stretches far across the plains to the north. The air is cool, the paths are lined with small farms, and the people are friendly. Sipi is a favourite weekend escape for groups from Kampala and an easy addition to a longer trip in eastern Uganda.

What you can do

• A guided hike to all three falls, through farms, banana gardens and cliff paths.
• Abseiling down the rock face beside the main falls, about 100 metres, run by local operators.
• Rock climbing and viewpoints over the plains.
• Birding on the hillsides.
• Forest trails and longer hikes in Mount Elgon National Park next door.

The people side

Sipi is home to the Sebei (Sabiny) people, and Arabica coffee from Mount Elgon is a key livelihood here. On a coffee tour with a farming family you pick ripe coffee cherries, roast the beans over a fire and taste a fresh cup. It is a simple, warm afternoon with the people whose coffee you may already drink at home. The coffee tour is run by the farming family and included in your trip, so what you pay goes to your hosts.

Best time to visit

The drier months, June to August and December to March, are best for hiking. April and May, and September to November, bring heavy rain and slippery paths.

Getting there

Allow 5 to 6 hours by road from Kampala via Mbale, and about 1 hour more from Entebbe.

Good to know

The three-falls hike takes about 4 to 6 hours with steep steps and slippery rocks, so we rate it Level 3, Moderate. Abseiling is optional and run by specialist operators with their own safety rules. There are lodges and campsites at every level around the Sipi trading centre. For history lovers, the Nyero rock paintings near Kumi, some of the oldest art in Uganda, can be added on the way.