Explore with us the Sisiyi Falls
The Sisiyi Falls is another hidden gem on Mount Elgon and less popular than the Sipi Falls but by no means less beautiful. The Sisiyi Falls are located in Bulambuli district, which is approximately 25 kilometers from Sipi.
Sisiyi Falls has beautiful and lush vegetation on the side of the waterfall which is much loved by nature enthusiasts.
Hiking the Sisiyi Falls route takes about 2-3 hours. On the top of the cliff, the trail continues through coffee plantations as well as banana plantations. The end of the hike marks the Garden Lodge, where you can take a rest, enjoy some drinks and refresh yourself again, before continuing back to your lodge or next destination.
Our rates
East African Residents: UGX 40.000
Foreigners: $20,-
Combine the Sisiyi Falls Hike with the Bumwambu Falls Hike
This hike is an extended hike of the Sisiyi Falls hike which is located on the edge of Mount Elgon. The Waterfall is totally uncovered and not promoted at all and therefore it is even more special.
During this hike, you will also have the opportunity to discover a huge cave behind the falls, which is about 60 meters.
After the hike, you return to the top of the Sisiyi Falls, from where you can either hike back to the bottom or use a boda-boda to return to the starting point.
Our rates
East African Residents: UGX 70.000
Foreigners: $50,-
Rates include the combined hike with Boda-boda, entry fees, and a guide.
How To Get to Sisiyi Falls
Sisiyi Waterfalls is found and located in the Bulambule district, the branch to the falls is in the Buyaga sub-county at the Buyaga trading center. Sisiyi Falls is just about 5km ( kilometers) from Buyaga Trading Center, 40 km ( kilometers) from east of Mbale Moroto Road, and 25.7km( kilometers) from Mbale Moroto Road.
It’s on your right-hand side while coming from Mbale Moroto Road and on your left-hand side while coming from Sipi Falls Pian Upe Road. It’s also along the highway to the districts of Sironko, Bulambule, and Kapchorwa. Sisiyi Falls also has a great view while traveling on either a vehicle or motorcycle ( boda boda) from Buyaga town showing a beautiful landscape view of the famous Sisiyi waterfalls and the lushed vegetation along the Sisiyi cliff.
Sisiyi Falls from the Buyaga main road will take you around 8 to 10 minutes by either a car or boda boda, but boda bodas are highly recommended during the wet season which they charge about 5000 shillings ( 2 dollars) to 10,000 UGX (3dollars) and then proceed to the waterfalls. These boda bodas are just at the junction of the waterfalls on the Buyaga trading center. While in the boda boda, you will have a chance to see the beautiful waterfalls from the distance ( landscape view) and the Sisiyi River below the road pass, together with the beautiful coffee plantations and banana plantations.
These will lead you to the rock garden lodge (Sisiyi campsite) where you will first land before starting a hike with the local guides, at these lodges you will have to buy water or any other drink from these lodges before starting the hike. This is where the guide will take you first to the bottom of the waterfalls for around 45 minutes or 1 hour while taking you amazing pictures of the waterfalls and then back to the lodge (campsite) where you will take a break before continuing for the 2hours hike to the top view of the Sisiyi cliff during the hike to the top view of the falls you will get chance to take pictures of the side of the waterfalls while Hiking to the top view.
At the top is just a paradise that offers a beautiful view of the plains mostly Karamoja plains of Sironko and Kumi, Nakapiripirit and Mount Moroto and Mount Kadam, and the entire view of Bulambule and Sironko and Buyaga trading center.
Where to stay in Sisiyi Falls/accommodation at Sisiyi Falls
There is a lodge and a campsite called Rock Garden Lodge, Sisiyi campsite which has several cottages around the waterfalls these were constructed to accommodate the tourists who visit the beautiful Sisiyi falls and a good and well-secured camping grounds this is to allow them to enjoy the breeze taking the sound of the waterfalls. This lodge/ campsite has got enough space and it’s so nice for camping though it is advised to have warm clothes because of the coldness in the night.
They also offer a campfire in the night which will give you a nice stay while enjoying the sounds of the waterfalls, they also have hydroelectric power sockets that make you charge your phone and cameras for capturing memories, taking pictures, and others.
Most tourists prefer staying around Sipi Falls accommodations and traveling in the morning for hiking around Sisiyi Falls and then either returning to Sipi Falls or continuing back to their other destinations in Uganda the pearl of Africa.
Other adventurous things to do in Sisiyi Falls
Camping at the bottom of the Sisiyi Falls.
Sisiyi campsite/Rock Gardens lodge which is just near the bottom of the waterfalls has a very wide space, and a good camping ground which is 80 meters near the waterfalls.
These camping grounds are very well-maintained, clean, and secured places where everyone can camp. At these camping grounds, you will have a campfire in the night which will make you have a comfortable and warm stay during the cold night.
Camping at the top of the waterfalls
At the top of the waterfalls which we term as a paradise. This place has a view of the towns below with glowing lights during the night which will make you indeed feel in paradise. They also offer security which will make you feel secure overnight while immersing you with amazing stories of the Bagisu tribes, their way of living, and other cultural practices like circumcision of the youth of about 16 to 25 years.
They provide a night campfire that will make you warm and comfortable during your stay in the wilderness.
The people living around are so friendly and hospitality all these will give you a peaceful and nice stay around Sisiyi Falls.
CAVES AT SISIYI FALLS
Sisiyi Falls has one of the beautiful caves with all the historical features of the Bagisu people dwelt in these caves. This cave is called Bumwambu Cave which is located about 4 km from the top of the Sisiyi Falls. This hike to this beautiful cave will take you around 3 hours Hiking and 1:30 minutes on a boda from the campsite.
Hiking to the falls
Sisiyi Falls is located on the steep slope of Mount Elgon which offers a Rock Climbing experience, especially to the top view of the waterfalls.
Hiking to the bottom offers an amazing breeze of the waterfalls and a beautiful landscape of vegetation
Which will make you take amazing pictures of yourself, nature, and the waterfalls by your photographer.
During the hike to the top of the Sisiyi Falls, you will have a chance to have an amazing pass along the rivers, coffee plantations, and banana plantations and these make the area green and beautiful.
The top of the Sisiyi cliff will give you relaxation to cool your mind after the long hike to the top.
CAVES AT SISIYI FALLS
Sisiyi Falls has one of the beautiful caves with all the historical features of the Bagisu people dwelt in these caves. This cave is called Bumwambu Cave which is located about 4 km from the top of the Sisiyi Falls. This hike to this beautiful cave will take you around 3 hours Hiking and 1:30 minutes on a boda from the campsite.
Hiking to the falls
Sisiyi Falls is located on the steep slope of Mount Elgon which offers a Rock Climbing experience, especially to the top view of the waterfalls.
Hiking to the bottom offers an amazing breeze of the waterfalls and a beautiful landscape of vegetation
Which will make you take amazing pictures of yourself, nature, and the waterfalls by your photographer.
During the hike to the top of the Sisiyi Falls, you will have a chance to have an amazing pass along the rivers, coffee plantations, and banana plantations and these make the area green and beautiful.
The top of the Sisiyi cliff will give you relaxation to cool your mind after the long hike to the top.
OTHER SPECIAL PACKAGES FOR SISIYI FALLS AND SIPI FALLS HIKE
1. Sisiyi Falls – Sipi Falls hike
This is a walk/hike from Sisiyi Falls to Sipi Falls, this is about 23km Hiking trail that stands through on the foothills of Mount Elgon near the national park ( outside the peak) and it offers beautiful scenery, viewpoints, caves, scenic mountain Elgon Volcanic peaks and local community experience of both the hospitality Sabinys and Bagisu.
Itinerary for this Sisiyi – Sipi Falls hike
• you arrive at the Sisiyi campsite a day before you start the hike, spend a night in a tent at the campsite then the next day you hike in the morning at 8:00 am from the Sisiyi Falls campsite to Sipi waterfalls and it takes about 5 to 7 hours.
Why choose this hiking trail
• Good for those who have a tight schedule or those who don’t have enough time to hike Mount Elgon for either 3 days, 4 days, or 6 days
• you do not need to be a skilled hiker to do it
• Budget-friendly/ good for low-budget travelers
• memorable experience during the hike
Starting point: Sisiyi Falls campsite
Rate: 120$
What is included:
Guide, camping, tent, mat, sleeping bag, dinner, breakfast, lunch, water, and Sipi Falls hike and entrance fee for all the falls.
2. Budadiri – Sipi Falls hike
This is a two-day hike covering about 46 km ( kilometers) starting from Budadiri through Sisiyi Falls and ending at the famous beautiful Sipi Falls. This hiking tour experience takes you through the foothills of Mount Elgon and it offers very beautiful scenery, viewpoints, caves, waterfalls, and community interactions of the Bagisu and Sabiny communities who are so friendly and hospitable.
Itinerary for this hiking experience
Arrive at Budadiri Last Chance Guest House a day before the hike, you have to spend a night in a tent at a campsite
First day – starts at 8:00 am from Budadiri to Sisiyi Falls, 24 km, and takes about 6 to 8 hours to get there.
The second day – starts at 8:00 am from Sisiyi Falls campsite to Sipi Falls, 22 km, and takes about 5 to 7 hours to get there.
Why choose this hiking trail
• Good for those who have a tight schedule or 2 days around Mount Elgon of which Mount Elgon’s normal hiking routes are 3 days, 4 days and 6 days mount Elgon hike this 2-day trail will work for you as a tight schedule hiker.
• you do not need to be a skilled hiker to do it
• An alternative hike to Mount Elgon
• Budget-friendly to low-budget travelers.
Starting point of hiking: Budadiri at Rose Last Chance Guest House
Rate: 150$
What is included:
Guide, camping, tent, mat, sleeping bag, dinner, breakfast, lunch, water, snacks, and Sipi Falls hike, and all entrances for all the falls.
All these packages offer a very exciting experience to the visitors/tourists and bring them closer to the nature of Mount Elgon, allowing them to immerse themselves in the local culture of the Sabinys and Bagisu and the history of Mount Elgon region.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS HIKING EXPERIENCE
During dry season
During the dry season which starts from December to March
– swimming costumes, if you would love to swim and have a natural shower in the waterfalls, especially in the Sipi Falls which has a natural shower, swimming pool with clean cool water
• Good hiking shoes, light boots, or sneakers
• water and snacks
During rainy season
During the rainy season which is from April to November
• Good hiking shoes, Gamboots
• waterproof bags, bag covers, rain coats or jackets and warm clothes sweaters, and jumpers
• water and snacks
We provide the walking sticks at the start of the hike.