WHILE AT SIPI FALLS-WHY SIPI?

 For a passionate tourist, anything can be fascinating enough to draw you to a specific place. I, personally have heard a number of stories about Sipi falls that I had to write it among my top 10 places to visit in Uganda. “I only want to see the falls, stand under their shower, run down to its basin and touch the water”, I mentioned to a friend one day at the start of this year

 Two days after the famous Joshua Cheptegei had scooped the top position in the Men’s 10,000 meters at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene(17 July 2022), I made my trip to the Champion’s land-Kapchorwa. It was beautiful to engage with the Locals about this man, who is now a shinning star in the world of Athletics. Joshua is a born of Kapchorwa district, the home of Sipi River with its beautifully falling falls.

19th July 2022 was a perfect day for me to visit Sipi falls. Sipi falls is incredibly located in the Eastern part of Uganda in Kapchorwa district about 277km from Kampala, Uganda’s capital. Sipi falls is found on the foothills of Mount Elgon National park close to Uganda -Kenya border.

 Warmly welcomed at Crows Nest -Sipi, where I met Robin-the local tour guide, I quickly slipped on my hiking gear and was ready to scale it up to all the 3 water falls. “Hiking to the 3 of them will take us about 4-5 hours”, he said as he pointed out to the direction of each one of them. “Also be ready for any kind of weather- sunshine, rain plus mud.. Are you ready for this?” “YESSS”, I replied vibrantly. He had just described my perfect adventure for the day.

Oh, did i mention the Hospitality minister to the falls MR. CAMELEON who happily opened wide his gates for us to get into his space in the jungle?

The three waterfalls are named Sipi One, Sipi Two and Sipi Three, each with its own altitude. These falls are on River Sipi, one of the rivers flowing on the slopes of Mt. Elgon to the bottom pouring from high cliffs creating series of rapids, as it flows down to Lake Kyoga. “Sipi” is derived from a Sabiny word “Sep” which is a name for a wild banana plant that grows along the river bank. This plant is known to be used by the locals for treatment of diseases like measles and fever. Hence the name Sipi falls

So, we set off for the first fall- Sipi One

HUG OF NATURE        

This is the main fall and the longest being at 100meters high. It is beautiful, it is elegant, I opened up to the HUG OF NATURE. I was thrilled when we walked down to its basin where it pours all it waters and I could touch the water. Sure, I got wet at the very first one.

To Sipi Two

The route is through the Locals gardens and all vegetation is green and wet. There is a constant drizzle in these areas. For my day, the heavens poured out to accompany the falls. It rained on my guide and I. Thanks to the generous Sabiny that offered us Shelter. But more importantly to Frank who runs a crafts shop besides the entrance into the second fall space who warmed up our shaking lungs with the aroma of Arabic coffee. It was cups of coffee, really good coffee.

When you cross to the man-made cave behind it, and then watch it act as a thick curtain, while enjoying the cool breeze and the gushing sound!
        

This fall is 85 meters high. Particularly with an outstanding view at the bottom, when you cross to the man-made cave behind it, and then watch it act as a thick curtain, while enjoying the cool breeze and the gushing sound!

To Sipi Three: 75 meters

As we headed for this one, my heart flowed with gratitude. I couldn’t get over the world being so beautifully crafted into a perfect piece as this for me. I sure could have travelled back home after this one. But I am such a goer when it gets to adventure. Most of friends will quote me, ”If we go we go”. So I was determined to get to the third. Along the road to this one, we met another guide with his crew Ramazan from Mount Elgon Trekkers.

The Banana-like plant behind us is the SEP plant after which the river and the falls are named-"SIPI"        

Every body in the jungle is so friendly. There is nature, there is adventure, there is something that just bonds you right. So we teamed up and went for the last one (their first one to the down hike) together. Under this one we showered.

But the sky was genuine enough to smile to my achievement of the day. She smiled enough that there appeared the RAINBOW. The crown of the day filled with colour

PC: Ramazan-Mount Elgon trekkers
        

What a way to conclude the day. My cup of joy overflowing, a fulfillment of a life adventure and here you are reading the story- A story forever told.

This day is one I could re-live on any day, and I 10 out 10 recommend to anyone planning or not planning to visit Uganda, Eastern Uganda, Kapchorwa in particular. I totally would not mind hiking up the slopes of Mount Elgon with you again and again and again and again! See you when we go hiking to the Sipi falls!

#Ifwegowego #Ugandaisbeautiful

#Sipifalls #MountElgon #Kapchorwa

#PassionateTourist #Travelwithpassione #HappyTours

By

REGINA NUWAGABA