Sipi Falls: waterfalls, hiking and coffee on Mount Elgon

On the green slopes of Mount Elgon in eastern Uganda, the Sipi River drops over three waterfalls. It is a cool, beautiful place to hike, with views across the plains below.

What to do at Sipi Falls

• The three-falls hike with a local guide, visiting each waterfall in turn.

• Abseiling beside the main fall, for a real adrenaline rush.

• Coffee tours on family farms, from bean to cup, where Uganda's Arabica coffee grows.

How long should you stay?

One to two days. Two nights let you do the full hike one day and a coffee tour and abseiling the next.

When to go

Sipi is good all year, and the falls are fuller in the rainy months.

Getting there

Sipi Falls is about 280 km from Kampala, around 5 to 6 hours by road. It combines well with Jinja on an eastern Uganda trip.

Local tip

Hire a guide from the local community: the paths are steep, and your fee supports families in the village.

Read more on Explore Uganda or see Jinja and the source of the Nile.