Sipi Falls

Sipi Falls is a series of three waterfalls on the Sipi river where it comes off the western flank of Mount Elgon, the lowest and largest dropping some 95 metres over a rock lip with a path running behind the curtain; upstream are Simba Falls, about 74 metres, and Ngasire, about 85. The name is thought to come from sep, a wild-banana-like plant of the riverbank. A walking circuit of several hours links all three, climbing through smallholdings of coffee, bananas and maize. The area is a well-known arabica coffee district and farm tours cover the process from tree to roast.

What you'll find

• The main fall - a drop of some 95 metres with a path running behind it.
• The three-fall circuit - a walk of several hours linking all three waterfalls.
• The coffee farms - arabica smallholdings on the Elgon slopes with tours.
• The escarpment view - the Karamoja plain seen from above the falls.

When to go

June to August and December to March are the drier windows. The rains give the strongest flow but the paths become treacherous. Mornings are clearest before cloud comes down.

Good to know

Paths are steep, muddy and slippery, and the circuit is harder than it sounds. Guides are effectively compulsory and prices are negotiated. Coffee tours vary in quality.

Nearby

Mount Elgon is above, and Mbale is southwest.

Key facts