Sipi is a series of three waterfalls on the lower slopes of Mount Elgon, dropping over basalt cliffs among smallholder coffee farms. The main fall plunges about 100 m, and from the village there are long views west over the Karamoja plains.
Sipi River Lodge sits close to the falls, and we use it as a gentle base for walking, coffee farm visits and the start of Mount Elgon treks. It is cooler and greener than many travellers expect, and a good change from game drives.
Sipi is a scenic area rather than a wildlife area, but the forest and farmland hold monkeys, forest birds such as turacos, and many butterflies.
Green terraced slopes, banana and coffee gardens, and three falls spilling off dark cliffs. From the escarpment the view stretches far across the flat plains below, with Lake Kyoga in the distance on clear days.
Activities here
At around 1,800 m, Sipi is mild, with days of about 18 to 25°C and cool evenings. Mount Elgon attracts rain from March to May and again from about August to November.
| Month | Day °C | Night °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 25 | 13 | 30 |
| Feb | 26 | 13 | 50 |
| Mar | 25 | 14 | 100 |
| Apr | 24 | 14 | 170 |
| May | 23 | 14 | 190 |
| Jun | 22 | 13 | 130 |
| Jul | 22 | 13 | 145 |
| Aug | 22 | 13 | 175 |
| Sep | 23 | 13 | 145 |
| Oct | 23 | 13 | 115 |
| Nov | 23 | 13 | 65 |
| Dec | 24 | 13 | 40 |
Approximate long-term averages. Higher ground is cooler, and forests can rain in any month.
December to February is the driest and clearest time, with long views over the plains towards Karamoja. The falls carry less water, but the paths are dry and easy to walk.
Rain falls from about March to May and again from August to November. The falls are at their fullest, but the steep paths to the base turn muddy and slippery, and afternoons are often cloudy.
Dry months make the paths easier, but the falls are fullest just after the rains. December to February and June to early August are a good compromise.
Best time to visit Jan to Feb, Jun to Sep
Sipi is about 5 to 6 hours by road from Kampala via Jinja and Mbale, and many guests break the journey at Jinja. Charter flights to the Mbale area are an option if you are short of time.
A visa is needed for Uganda and can be applied for online before you travel. The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. Please see the Uganda page for details.
Sipi lies at around 1,800 metres on the slopes of Mount Elgon, with cool evenings. A yellow fever certificate is needed to enter Uganda, so please carry it with your passport. Waterfall walks are steep and slippery, so wear shoes with a good grip. Malaria risk is lower than in the lowlands, but please take advice from a travel clinic.
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“Coffee from the source”
The coffee tour is one of our favourite small experiences in Uganda. You pick ripe cherries with a local farmer, help with pulping, drying and roasting, and finish with a cup of Bugisu Arabica brewed over a fire. It connects you with the people and the place in a way that stays with you.
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US$987 per person
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