Sipi Falls

Sipi Falls
Main falls at Sipi
Location	Sipi, Uganda
Coordinates	1°20′04″N34°23′24″E / 1.33439°N 34.38998°E / 1.33439; 34.38998
Longest drop	100m

The close-up front view of Sipi Falls.

Sipi Falls is a series of three waterfalls located on the north-western slopes of the eponymous extinct volcano, Mount Elgon, in Uganda, ^[1] with views over the Karamoja plains. ^{[2] [3] [4]} The falls are situated to the northeast of Sironko and Mbale, ^[5] adjacent to Mount Elgon National Park, which is located 1.7 kilometers (1 mile) away from the Kenyan border. ^[6] The falls account for 10% to 20% of all tourist visits to Uganda every year. ^[7]

At its highest point, the largest of the three waterfalls, known as Sipi Falls, stands at 95 meters (312 feet) high. The middle waterfall – known as Simba Falls, lies further upstream to the east. This waterfall has a drop of 74 m (243 ft). Further uphill is the third waterfall, known as Ngasire Falls, with a drop of approximately 85 m (262 ft). ^[8]

Location

The falls are located two miles northeast of the town of Sipi, 273.6 km (170 mi) northeast of the Ugandan capital of Kampala. The falls were formed by the Sipi River flowing from the upper slopes of Mount Elgon, and terminate in the Lake Kyoga basin. ^[9]

Name origin

The term "Sipi" is thought to have its origins in the local word sep, which denotes an indigenous plant resembling a wild banana after the Sipi River. This plant is commonly found along the Sipi riverbank and is characterized by its translucent, green fronds featuring a crimson rib, giving it an appearance reminiscent of a wild banana. ^{[6] [10]} The plant is also used as a medicine for treating fevers and measles by the local people in the area. ^[10]

The sep plant, an indigenous species resembling a wild banana, thrives along the Sipi riverbank.

Economy

The Sipi Falls area grows Bugisu Arabica coffee, which is profitable for the local people.^{[ citation needed ]}

See also

• List of waterfalls

References

1. Briggs, Philip; Roberts, Andrew (2010). Uganda. Bradt Travel Guides (6 ed.). Chalfont St. Peter: Bradt Travel Guides Ltd. ISBN   978-1-84162-309-2.
2. Ham, Anthony; Atkinson, Brett; Bainbridge, James; Butler, Stuart; Carillet, Jean-Bernard; Clammer, Paul; Corne, Lucy; Filou, Emilie; Fitzpatrick, Mary; et al. (Lonely Planet, Michael Grosberg, Trent Holden, Jessica Lee, Nana Luckham, Vesna Maric, Tom Masters, Stephen Lioy, Virginia Maxwell, Helen Ranger, Brendan Sainsbury, Lorna Parkes, Caroline Sieg, Helena Smith, Regis St Louis, Paul Stiles) (2017). Lonely Planet Africa. Lonely Planet Global Limited. ISBN   9781787011472.
3. Barlas, Robert; Griffin, Brett; Yong, Jui Lin (2019). Uganda. Cavendish Square. p. 136. ISBN   9781502647412.
4. Schumann, A.; Muwanga, A.; Lehto, T.; Staudt, M.; Schlüter, T.; Kato, V.; Namboyera, A. (March 2015). "Ugandan geosites" . Geology Today. 31 (2): 59–67. doi:10.1111/gto.12089. ISSN   0266-6979.
5. Williams, Lizzie (2014). Uganda Handbook. Footprint Handbooks. ISBN   9781910120002.
6. "Sipi Falls in Eastern Uganda - Landmarks - This is Uganda". 2021-11-19. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
7. Kilama Luwa, Justine; Majaliwa, Jackson-Gilbert Mwanjalolo; Bamutaze, Yazidhi; Kabenge, Isa; Pilesjo, Petter; Oriangi, George; Bagula Mukengere, Espoir (January 2021). "Variabilities and Trends of Rainfall, Temperature, and River Flow in Sipi Sub-Catchment on the Slopes of Mt. Elgon, Uganda". Water. 13 (13): 1834. doi: 10.3390/w13131834 . ISSN   2073-4441.
8. admin (2022-01-05). "Sipi Falls Uganda - Hiking, Abseiling, Touring & Entrance fee". Silverback Gorilla Tours. Retrieved 2023-09-07.
9. Briggs, Philip (2020). Uganda: The Bradt Travel Guide. England: Bradt Travel Guides. pp. 285–286. ISBN   9781784776428.
10. "Sipi Falls Uganda, Hiking, Tours, Abseiling, Costs & Travel Tips". My Blog. Retrieved 2023-12-14.