Sipi Falls is a waterfall found at the foothills of Mountain Elgon just at the edge of Mount Elgon National Park. The falls are one of the most awe-inspiring sights in Eastern Uganda.[1]
Location:
The falls are located in a small trading center of Sipi, which lies at an altitude of 1,775 m on the mountain’s northeastern foot slopes, only 55 km from Mbale along a good surfaced road. The village overlooks the 99m-high Sipi Falls, the last in a series of three waterfalls formed by the Sipi River as it cascades downhill from the upper slopes of Mount Elgon into the Kyoga Basin.[2]
Name Origin:
The name sipi was derived from the word ‘sep’, a name of a wild banana-like indigenous plant that grows along the banks of the Sipi River.[3] Sep has a translucent green frond with a bolt of crimson rib that resembles a wild banana. It is a medicinal plant, being used for treating measles and fever.
Activities:
Around Sipi Falls, visitors can partake in various activities such as; climbing Mount Elgon, hiking, bird watching, cave expeditions, cave painting excursions and camping.[1] Hikes around the falls offer stunning views of the Karamoja plains, Lake Kyoga, and the slopes of Mount Elgon. Individuals can organize trips through the Uganda Wildlife Authority or local private operators.[5][6]The falls are surrounded by caves and footways that allow hiking and visitors to see vast banana and coffee plantations around the waterways and interact with the local communities of the Bagisu and Sabiny People.[2]