The Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Sipi Falls Area in Uganda
The area around Sipi in eastern Uganda isn’t only home to a series of breathtaking waterfalls, but also to a network of hiking trails winding through the lush forests, rolling hills, and picturesque villages of the region.
Hiking in this area is a fantastic way to explore both the natural beauty of this part of the country and to experience the traditional life in the small villages dotting the landscape. The countryside is incredibly scenic and there are several viewpoints offering amazing vistas of the surrounding Karamoja Plains.
The Sipi Falls Area is criss-crossed by countless hiking trails.
All of this combined to make Sipi one of my favourite places in the country, and I highly recommend making the area a stop on your travel itinerary of Uganda. Read on for my suggestions of what to do in this incredible part of the country.
What to see and do in the Sipi Falls Area
Visit the main Sipi Falls (aka. Lower Falls)
The most popular hiking trail in the Sipi Falls area is the one leading to the main waterfall, with a spectacular drop of 99m or 325ft. You can glimpse the falls from several points along the road, but to get up close, you’ll have to follow a small path to the foot of the falls. The trail starts in the small Sipi Trading Centre, where you’ll find the highest concentration of shops, bars and Restaurants. It takes about 15 minutes to reach the falls.
There’s no official entrance fee, but you may be approached by locals telling you that you can only get there by guide (which is not true). Depending on your preference, you could take them up on their offer or politely decline – It’s pretty impossible to get lost on your way to the falls.
Once you’ve had enough of the spectacle of the falls, you can either return the way you came or continue north past the falls through banana plantations and slowly climb to the top of the ridge. I recommend that option, as the views back to the falls are amazing. You’ll have to be reasonably fit, though, as at one point you’ll have to scale a rickety wooden ladder to reach the cliff.
The cliff-face is also home to a series of small caves, which are fun to explore. A little further on, you’ll reach a road, which you can follow east to the main highway near the Sipi River Lodge.
Hiking to the Middle Sipi Falls
If you’re in the mood for a longer hike, there are some trails leading to several other falls in the area. These might not be as tall as the main falls, but their remoteness and surroundings make them super atmospheric. Apart from that, some great views open up along the way and the trail going there leads through a picturesque area of coffee plantations.
The Middle Sipi Falls can be found pretty close to the highway. You’ll have to pay a small fee at the Sipi River Lodge, and then continue east through their premises, where you’ll cross the river, continue for a bit through some banana plantations and then turn south to cross the river again. Read More…
