Explore Sipi Falls in Uganda
Explore Sipi Falls in Uganda : These waterfalls can be found near the border of the Mountain Elgon National Park and in the foothills of the mountain. It is located at an elevation of 1775 metres in the small trading centre of Sipi, in the eastern region of Uganda, just 55 kilometres from Mbale to Kapchorwa.
The name Sipi was derived from a wild plant called Sep that familiarly looks like a banana. It is thought to heal fever and measles in those nearby and grows along the banks of the Sipi River.
Tribes and culture.
The tribes that are indigenous to the regions surrounding the Sipi Falls are the Sabiny and the Bagishu. Large amounts of Arabica coffee are primarily grown there at elevations between 1600 and 1900 metres. In addition, visitors take coffee tours in the growing region, where they are greeted and given comprehensive instruction on the cultivation of coffee by local guides.
How to get to Sipi;
By road, it takes 275 km, or roughly 5 hours and 20 minutes, to get from Kampala to Sipi Falls via Mukono, Jinja, Iganga, Tororo, and Mbale.
An alternative is to take a 20-minute flight to Jinja and then travel three hours by road to reach the Sipi falls.
Falls.
The Sipi Falls are composed of three falls. Every autumn is at a distinct elevation;
The first falls, known as the Simba Falls, are the second largest of the three and plunge to a height of 85 metres.
Because of the small amounts of water that flow, the second ones are the smallest. They go by the name of Ngasire Falls. They descend 65 metres in length. Water levels are consistently low, but they typically rise during the rainy season.
Because of their size and volume of water emitted from the top, the third set of falls are known as the main Sipi falls. At a height of 100 metres, the water drops to create a plunge pool on the surface.
Activities to do around Sipi.
It’s always a good idea to visit the Sipi falls between June and August and December and March.
Hiking.
Due to the muddy slopes and daily moisture brought on by the water from the Sipi River and the falls, Sipi falls hiking tours take three hours, depending on the energy levels of the visitors. When hiking, most visitors stick to the banks in order to stay on course. This also transports them to the nearby community and coffee farms.
Swimming.
When visiting the Sipi Falls, it should be mandatory to bring a swimming suit. At the base of the falls, where a plunge pool forms and the water becomes calm, swimming is popular. Hence, it becomes effortless for swimming and a delightful experience for tourists who visit the Sipi Falls.
Coffee tours.
Arabica coffee is grown in large quantities at an altitude of 1600 to 1900 metres in the Bagishu and Sabiny regions surrounding the Sipi Falls. In addition, visitors take coffee tours in the growing region, where they are greeted and given comprehensive instruction on the cultivation of coffee by local guides.
Caves and excursions.
There are caves closer to the Sipi Falls that are thought to have been inhabited by prehistoric people. The paintings inside these caves represent the arrival of the earliest generations.
Climbing to the top of Wagagai peak on mountain Elgon.
It is also a significant and powerful expedition that visitors cannot miss. Climbing mountains in Elgon is an exciting and enjoyable adventure that anyone would love to take part in. Visitors climb with the assistance of guides who will guarantee their safety.
Bird watching.
For bird watchers, this is the best area of interest. Because there is a wide variety of birds in the Sipi Falls area, ranging up to about 450 species, along with the surrounding flora. Take birds, for instance. The moustached green tinker bird, the black-collared apallis, the black-shouldered kite, and the long-tailed harllock.
