SIPI FALLS HIKE
Uganda’s most famous waterfall trail
Experience the beauty of Sipi’s three magnificent waterfalls, a favorite stop for travelers visiting Mount Elgon. Walk through lush coffee farms, banana plantations and friendly local villages as your guide shares stories of the Sipi Community and their mountain home.
While Sipi Falls is Uganda’s most well-known waterfall destination, we love helping visitors explore beyond the classic circuit too: into the quieter, equally stunning trails around Kapchorwa and Kween, where tourism directly supports our local Community projects.
Quick activity facts
| Quick facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1-2 hours or 3-4 hours (flexible options) |
| Difficulty | Easy to moderate - suitable for all fitness levels |
| Start point | Sipi trading center (22 kilometer from Home of Friends) |
| Transport | Boda boda transfer: 12,000 UGX / $3.50 per person each way (not included in activity price) |
| Price | $10 (1-2 hrs) | $15 (3-4 hrs) per person |
| Children | Half price (under 15) | Free (under 5) |
| Booking | Flexible daily starting times - book one day ahead |
| Includes | Professional guide + Community & waterfall entrance fees |
Trail Highlights
1. Sipi’s Three Waterfalls
The famous Sipi 1, 2 and 3 each offer their own charm:
Sipi 1 winds through village paths and banana plantations.
Sipi 2 lets you walk behind the curtain of water.
Sipi 3 is the grand 95-meter waterfall with great valley views.
When you choose the 3-4 hour hike, your guide will help you explore all three. And maybe even swim on top of the second one!
2. Coffee Farms & Cultural Stories
Along the trail you’ll walk through fertile Arabica coffee farms, meeting locals who’ve grown coffee on Mount Elgon’s slopes for generations. Hear about their farming traditions and how the Sipi Community benefits through tourism.
3. Views, Legends & Local Life
Look down into sweeping valleys and across to Kenya on a clear day. Your guide will share stories of the Sebei people: About their warriors, rituals and running champions, who all grew up in these hills.
Why choose the Sipi Falls Hike?
Because it’s the classic Uganda experience: accessible and scenic. If you love to tick off bucket list highlights, you shouldn’t miss this experience. 100% of your fee goes directly to the Sipi Community and your guide.
What to bring
Comfortable walking shoes
Swimsuit (for a dip near waterfall #2!)
Refillable water bottle (free refills in our restaurant)
Light rain jacket or poncho
Camera - you’ll want to capture those views
What travelers say💬
“The waterfalls are breathtaking! Our guide George was patient, knowledgeable, and full of pride for his home. This hike was a once-in-a-lifetime experience — highly recommended!”
Ready to discover Sipi and beyond
If this is your first visit to the Elgon highlands, a guided Sipi Falls hike is a great way to start, and we’ll gladly help arrange it for you.
But if you’d like to venture deeper off the beaten path, we warmly recommend our Community-developed experiences such as the Kapchorwa–Benet Trail, Kapchorwa Wilderness Hike or the Mosopisiek Trail. These slower, more immersive routes not only reveal new corners of the mountain but also directly contribute to local families and empowerment initiatives in our region.