If you are looking for a hiking challenge that is more than just conquering a highland or trail but will reward you wonderful scenery and an experience of rural Africa plus get to do an extra adventures along the hike, the Sipi Falls found in eastern Uganda is the place to visit. The Sipi is a popular place for hikes in Uganda. Located in the highlands at the base of the Mt. Elgon, Uganda’s second highest mountain Sipi provides an exciting hike across beautiful terrain with stunning views of the foothills and distant Karamoja plains. The Sipi hiking adventure also comes with a wonderful opportunity of exploring the rural Ugandan community, while you walk through villages you get into the lives of the local Sabin people learning about their traditions & way of life and learning about coffee growing, in between visiting some of the most beautiful falls in Uganda.
The Sipi Falls are made of three different waterfalls forming on the Sipi River as it flows over the cliffs, on the way down to the base of the highlands. The Sipi falls hiking tour therefore involves hiking to the three individual falls following either the flow of the river from the topmost fall to the last one at below, or from the mid waterfalls to the top one and taking a break before trekking down to the last waterfall.
How difficult or hard is the Sipi Falls hike?
So, the common question about hiking Sipi Falls is the level of difficulty or what level of fitness one needs for the hike?
The simple answer to this question is that the hike is easy to challenging, and may be difficult.
How easy?
The Sipi Falls hike will be easy if your level of fitness is good, that is, you regularly work out and have good experience hiking or trekking.
Also, the Sipi hiking trail is composed of mostly village footpaths which that wide enough and do not bring challenge.
How challenging?
The hike will be challenging if you are an active person but with little to no experience of hiking. There are some steep climbs accessing some of the waterfalls.
Also expect the altitude effect if you have not spent a few days in Sipi to acclimatize to the high altitude. This, added to the burning heat of the sun can make the hike more challenging. Taking at least two liters of water and constantly rehydrating will be a good remedy for the altitude effect and heat. Applying sunscreen too protects from the sunburn.
The hike can be difficult too
First time hiking and no fitness to talk about, you may the hike quite challenging to difficult.
Hiking during the wet weather can also create a challenge due to the muddy trail and interruption by heavy rains.
Which is the most difficult of the three waterfalls?
The most difficult waterfall to hike to is the first waterfall (lower fall) at the bottom of the series which is also longest waterfall of the Sipi. Going down to the bottom of this waterfall is challenging and even harder when climbing back up, and yet climbing down to this waterfall is the biggest prize of the hike as you get to enjoy a swim in the huge natural swimming pool at the bottom.
However one can still enjoy a wonderful view of this waterfall from the top without climbing down, and therefore, travelers that feel they do not have the necessary fitness or endurance for this hike only to the other two waterfalls and then simply get to a wonderful view point near the top of the longest waterfall.
What is best time for the Sipi Falls hike?
The best time to hike the Sipi falls and minimize on the challenge is during the dry season (June to August & December to February) during which there is more sunshine and less chances of rain. The trail is dry and thus easier to hike.
However if you are up for the challenge of hiking on a wet trail, the wet season (March to May & Sept to Nov) brings forth the best scenery as the landscape is so lush and the Sipi river swells with more water hence bigger Sipi falls. Actually the best time to see the waterfalls.
How to prepare for the Sipi falls hike
Work out to improve fitness so that you can go the whole trails and visit all the three waterfalls
No melanin? Carry a sunscreen. In addition, sunglasses, and a hat
Clothing to carry? Light clothing is okay, for the hike. The evenings and mornings can be a bit chilly due to the elevations, hence pack some warm clothing too such as jacket/sweater
The type of shoes to bring? Sneakers would be sufficient, if you have the proper hiking shoes the better.