The Sisiyi Falls is sometimes confused with the Sipi Falls, as someone will say Sisiyi while slipping up when they meant to say Sipi. The two, however, are different in almost every way.
There are times when people confuse the Sisiyi Falls and the Sipi Falls. Someone may say Sisiyi and you assume they meant Sipi. The two are different in every way, apart from being waterfalls.
One of the most fascinating spots to visit in Eastern Uganda is the Sisiyi Falls. The exact location is in the Bulambuli area of eastern Uganda’s Buyaga sub-county.
The stunning falls make for the ideal pit stop on a safari to Mount Elgon National Park because they are close to the towns of Moroto, Sironko, Bulambuli, and Kapchorwa.
Visitors will be greeted by the thundering sound of the waterfalls and a white streak against a lush mountainous background.
A Brief History of the Sisiyi Falls (Mbale)
The Sisiyi waterfalls get their name from the perpetually running streams. This is because it is said that they never dry up, either during the terrible dry seasons or the rainy season. As a result, the water level remains constant no matter the time of the year you visit.
The impressive waterfall is surrounded by a 13-acre area of lush, green woodland. No matter what time of year you visit, you will always find the water flowing at the falls.
In the middle of the lush flora that covers this side of Mount Elgon, waterfalls cascade down its face. Sipi Falls is the most popular attraction of Elgon Mountain, while Sisiyi Falls is also beautiful.
When you visit Sisiyi Falls as part of your Uganda safari, you will appreciate seeing the green plantations on the sloping foothills, which include banana, coffee, banana, and eucalyptus trees.
Sisiyi Falls Resort, an accommodation facility in the area was built by Doctor Patrick Mutono and his wife. They allow visitors to stay comfortably overnight while taking in the waterfalls. These cottages are owned and maintained by them.
The cottages were thoughtfully built to enhance and preserve the natural beauty of the area without over-modernizing it. If they had been entirely altered and cut down, the site’s tall trees and lovely flowers would not have spread out to blend in as naturally as possible.
Some people like to call the Sisiyi Falls “Garden of Eden,” It is truly a paradise unlike any other in the area. Just around the falls is an exquisite tourist resort.
The Sisiyi Falls Resort is one of the best. It offers visitors a perfect setting to marvel at its natural beauty. It’s the best place to unwind from the busy and stressful environment of urban centers.
Here, you can enjoy the waterfalls, nature hikes, treks, bird watching, and rock climbing to the top of the fall (at 110 meters high).
Tourist Activities at the Sisiyi Falls
Bird watching
One of the world’s top birding destinations is Uganda. Over 274 species have been reported in the Mount Elgon region. This is more than two of Uganda’s major national parks, Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls.
It is possible to organize birding tours in the Sipi region or as a jumping-off point for a more in-depth birding adventure in Mount Elgon National Park.
Climbing up Mt Elgon
As a starting point to climb Mount Elgon, consider the Sipi Falls. The extinct volcano Mount Elgon has Africa’s fourth-highest summit, Wagagai.
With the biggest surface area, it is the second-largest volcanic peak in the world (caldera). Even though Uganda owns the majority of the mountain, it is shared by Kenya and Uganda.
Depending on the hiker’s general health and experience level, Mount Elgon can be climbed in 5 to 6 days.
Hiking
When hiking the rocks, tourists don’t gave to worry about the heat. Tourists can hike the falls quite easily in a formation of a hand-holding chain, usually guided by a guide. The whole experience will be enjoyable.
Visiting the three waterfalls
Depending on one’s general fitness, it takes 3 to 4 hours to visit all three waterfalls. Approximately 7 km of steep ascents, ladder climbing, and passing through nearby fields are all part of the journey to the top of the falls.
Depending on the specific waterfall you plan to go to, there are many beginning points. To save your energy for the main waterfall downside, you should start with the topmost waterfall if you plan to view all three.
Cultural Walks
The Bagisu and Sabiny are two nearby tribes that occupy the region around Sipi. Visitors can choose to embark on a cultural visit to learn about the local culture of one of these tribes after seeing the waterfalls.
Visitors are drawn to the Sebei and Bugisu culture of circumcision at specific periods of the year. The Bagusi (boys) and Sabiny (girls) teenagers typically go through traditional initiation rituals that end in circumcision before entering adulthood.
Only 20 years ago, forced female circumcision among the Sabiny was widespread, but today the practice is all but nonexistent as a result of aggressive campaigns by female campaigners.
How to get to Sisiyi Falls
Those who get to see the Sisiyi Falls are usually on safari to Mount Elgon National Park or the Karamoja sub-region. It’s never a complete visit without stopping at the magnificent Sisiyi Falls.
They are conveniently located just a short distance (roughly 40 kilometers) east of Mbale Town. This is along the road to the districts of Moroto, Sironko, Bulambuli, and Kapchorwa (Kidepo Valley National park or Ajai Wildlife Reserve).
To get to the Trading Center and the waterfalls, you can take a boda for between Shs 5000 and Shs 10,000.
Conclusion
Sisiyi Falls is a great place to escape the commotion of the city; you can choose to relax by the waterfalls and so nothing else.
For the icing on the cake, you may get involved in activities like going on nature hikes or treks, watching birds, and climbing rocks to the top of the falls.
If you plan on staying at the nearby cottages, it’s advisable to have enough warm clothes as it gets cold at the night. Otherwise, how much you can explore in the Mbale region is entirely up to you. We can only say that it will be a memorable experience.
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