Tag: waterfalls

7 Beautiful Waterfalls in Uganda to Visit

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There are dozens of waterfalls in Uganda, thanks to the many waterways that flow throughout the country. Many of the falls are on the River Nile, the world’s longest river, adding extra incentive to visit them.   

From Murchison to Mpanga, this article introduces you to seven of the best waterfalls in Uganda that you can visit during your upcoming vacation. I’ve also put together a handy map with the locations of each of these falls to help you plan your trip accordingly.  

Murchison Falls

Undoubtedly the best waterfalls in Uganda to visit are located within Murchison Falls National Park. To be fair, the main reason to visit Murchison is not to look at the falls but to view the wildlife that lives around them.   

Murchison Falls NP is home to a huge number of mammals and birds (I spotted the elusive and prehistoric shoebill during a recent Murchison Falls safari), and it’s certainly one of the best game-viewing spots in East Africa.   

That being said, the falls are super impressive. The River Nile forces itself through a tight gorge to fall 43 meters to the river below, creating a cascading and powerful flow of water that you can see from different parts of the park.  

The best way to see Murchison Falls is to arrange a safari and to take a boat trip organized by UWA. A boat trip up to the falls currently costs $30 per person, but you also need to factor in the cost of the park entrance and the cost of the safari itself.   

Check out my comprehensive guide to planning an independent safari in Uganda to factor in the costs associated with visiting Murchison Falls NP.   

You can also refer to the UWA website for more information about visiting the stunning Murchison Falls in the north of Uganda.  

Sipi Falls

In the far east of Uganda and a stone’s throw away from the Kenyan border is Mount Elgon National Park, home to one of the highest peaks in Uganda. The park is also home to the impressive Sipi Falls, a truly stunning site that hosts three waterfalls.   

The falls take their name from the close-by village of Sipi, and they are located in the eastern Ugandan district of Kapchorwa, which takes between 3-4 hours to reach from Kampala.  

I visited Sipi Falls during the dry season in August last year, as the dry season is when the falls are at their most spectacular. The tallest fall cascades 100 meters from the top of the cliff and provides incredible views of Mount Elgon and the surrounding areas.   

Just be mindful that it takes a fair amount of effort to make it to each of the three falls. I trekked for a couple of hours to reach the final site, and although it was worth it, I was pretty tired when we reached it!   

You can also hire a tour guide when you reach Sipi Falls if you want to learn more about the local area as you make your way to the site of each of the three stunning waterfalls that cascade here.  

Kisiizi Falls

Located in Rukungiri district in Uganda’s extreme southwest, Kisiizi Falls is an off-the-beaten-track tourist destination in the Pearl of Africa. It’s about a two-hour drive from the town of Kabale, which is a popular spot for tourists, given its proximity to Lake Bunyonyi and the Rwandan border.  

You can also easily visit Kisiizi Falls from Bwindi National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park, two of the most-visited parks in the whole of Uganda.   

I actually visited Kisiizi Falls last week and absolutely loved it. To save me from repeating myself – check out my complete guide to visiting Kisiizi Falls to help you plan a trip here!  

Sisiyi Falls

While most visitors to eastern Uganda are drawn to Sipi Falls, Sisiyi Falls is also another great spot to visit if you’re making your way to Mount Elgon National Park.  

In fairness, Sisiyi and Sipi look remarkably similar, and they’re even located within the same mountain massif. One of the main reasons to visit Sisiyi is that you can actually stand under these falls, which is ideal if you want a more immersive experience.   

Like Sipi Falls, Sisiyi cascades approximately 100 meters down one of the sides of Mount Elgon and provides truly breathtaking views of the surrounding lush green countryside.   

You might not want to visit both Sisiyi and Sipi Falls, but be sure to incorporate one of these stunning destinations into your itinerary if you’re spending some time in and around Mount Elgon during your vacation.  

Karuma Falls

Karuma is known to the local Luo people as “Great Spirit,” and it’s easy to see why when you visit this impressive waterfall, around 100km northeast of the town of Masindi.   

At the site of Karuma Falls is a hydroelectric dam that supplies power throughout Uganda. The dam at Karuma is actually the largest power station in the whole of Uganda and is a crucial source of energy for the entire nation.   

If you’re planning to visit Murchison Falls NP for safari, you can include a trip to Karuma Falls, as they are located in the eastern section of the park and can be easily visited while on safari.  

Historically, the falls are significant because John Henning Speke famously crossed the Nile at this point on his way to the source of the world’s longest river.   

While Murchison Falls is the most visited waterfall in this part of Uganda, you should undoubtedly add Karuma Falls to your itinerary if you’re visiting the park for a safari on your upcoming vacation.  

Mpanga Falls

Located in western Uganda is Mpanga Falls, located near Kibale National Park, home to many of Uganda’s wild chimpanzees.  

As reported by the New Vision, Mpanga Falls isn’t particularly easy to reach! In fact, it requires a journey across Lake George and some patient climbing to reach the top of the falls, which means that many people don’t bother with Mpanga.  

In my opinion, this is all the more reason to make an effort to visit these cascading falls in western Uganda. After all, there is something magical about visiting sites off the beaten path, and that certainly applies to the waterfalls at Mpanga!   

Ssezibwa Falls

The final waterfall in Uganda that I would like to introduce you to in this article is actually the site that is easiest to reach (at least from Kampala).   

Ssezibwa Falls is in Mukono District, just 32km from Kampala on the Jinja Road. The falls race through a narrow gorge in the rocks and cascade 17 meters into the large pool below.   

The falls eventually flow all the way to Lake Kyoga, and the falls are a special place for the local Baganda people, who believe them to have supernatural powers.   

It costs $3 to enter the site at the falls, and although the visitor’s center could be better managed, it’s a decent gateway to the falls and the surrounding area.

If you’re planning to go white water rafting on the Nile at Jinja, you can schedule a stop at Ssezibwa Falls on your way to the source of the Nile.  

Recap: 7 of the most beautiful waterfalls in Uganda to visit

There are lots of waterfalls in Uganda located all around the country, but the seven sites I’ve introduced here are among the best and most popular.   

If you’re keen to visit one or several waterfalls during your upcoming trip to Uganda, you can use my helpful map below:  

A Guide to Visiting Kisiizi Falls

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I woke up early this morning to the sound of cascading water. I am, after all, staying no more than a few hundred meters from the impressive Kisiizi Falls, a hidden gem of a tourist spot in the southwest of Uganda.   

Given that I got up so early, I brewed myself a cup of tea and set up outside my little cottage to write this guide to visiting Kisiizi Falls.

I’ve included lots of helpful information to help you plan your visit here, as well as some answers to FAQs. If there’s anything I’ve missed, drop a comment below, and I’ll get back to you!  

A brief introduction to visiting Kisiizi Falls, Uganda

Kisiizi Falls is located in the southwest of Uganda. The waterfall is part of the Kyabamba River, which flows through Rukungiri district. It’s approximately 27 meters high, and an impressive volume of water cascades down the cliff face throughout the year.   

However, the beauty of Kisiizi Falls today belies the dark and morbid history that initially made this place a point of interest for Ugandans.   

Historically, local Bakiga (the name of the clan of people who live close to the falls) families would take pregnant, unmarried girls to the top of the falls, before tying them up and pushing them to their deaths.   

The fact that these girls fell pregnant out of wedlock brought such shame to their families that they believed the best way to deal with such incidents was to throw the girls to their deaths over the waterfall.   

Tragically, hundreds of young Bakiga girls lost their lives this way until the practice was stopped, relatively recently. There’s now a poignant memorial across from the falls commemorating the lives lost at the site and serving as a reminder to Ugandans that such practice has no place in their modern country.   

When you visit the falls, it’s difficult to process such unimaginable tragedy with the serene natural beauty of the area.   

Where is Kisiizi Falls located?

Kisiizi Falls is located in Rukungiri district, which is in Uganda’s southwest. It’s approximately 2-3 hours from several tourist sites in Uganda, including Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and Lake Bunyonyi.   

As such, you can easily incorporate a visit to Kisiizi Falls into your travel itinerary if you’re visiting the southwest of Uganda for other tourist activities.  

How to get to Kisizi Falls?

If you’re visiting Kisiizi Falls from Entebbe or Kampala, it’s about a seven-hour drive. You take the Kampala-Mbarara highway from the city, and when you reach Mbarara, you continue west towards Kabale. You will then see signposts for Kisiizi Hospital when you’re approximately 30km away from Kabale town.   

You can also reach Kisiizi Falls easily from Kabale if you have recently entered Uganda from Rwanda or have spent the weekend relaxing at Lake Bunyonyi. Helpfully, the site of the falls is on Google Maps. You can simply search for the Kisiizi Falls Visitors Center or Kisiizi Hospital and follow the map all the way.  

Activities at Kisiizi Falls

There are several activities that you can plan during your visit to Kisiizi Falls, depending on how adventurous you are:   

  • Bird watching: You will see lots of stunning birds in and around the falls, including the Crested Crane and Ross’ Turaco. Refer to my birdwatching for beginners checklist if you want to see birdlife on your trips to the falls.   
  • Hiking: From the visitor’s center to the top of the falls, it’s a reasonable hike. Though trainers will suffice, walking up to and around the falls is good exercise and takes 1-2 hours of your time.   
  • Mountain biking: You can hire a mountain bike from the visitor’s center to explore some of the trails surrounding Kisiizi Falls. Rates are super reasonable; it costs less than $10 for bike hire for the day.   
  • Sky trail & mini zip line: For the slightly more adventurous visitors is the sky trail. You are suspended high above the falls for the ride of your life – not for the faint-hearted. For those under the age of sixteen, the mini zip line is a good option.   
  • Kayaking: You can also hire a kayak to explore the lagoon close to the falls. This is a great way to get on to the water, particularly on those scorching hot days!  

You don’t need to book any of these activities in advance. Simply turn up and enquire at the visitor’s center, and the friendly staff will be more than happy to make the necessary arrangements on your behalf.  

Staying & eating at Kisiizi Falls

Although Kisiizi Falls is relatively close to other tourist attractions and can be visited in just a few hours, you might want to spend the night at the falls to break up your journey.   

Next to the visitor’s center are two cottages that overlook the falls. In fact, I’m sitting outside one of the cottages with a cup of Ugandan tea, writing this article!   

The cost of the accommodation is 125,000 UGX per night (about $35), and it sleeps up to four people in two rooms. A simple breakfast of tea, bananas, and fresh bread is provided. The rooms are a little tired and are best described as no-frills, but they’re comfortable and offer great value at the price point.  

In terms of eating at Kisiizi Falls, the visitor’s center serves tasty food. For our evening meal last night, we enjoyed chicken, potatoes, and vegetables for just 16,000 UGX per person (about $4).   

It’s a good idea to order food ahead of time. We called in the morning to place our meal order, and it was ready at exactly 6 pm –the time that we requested it.  

Note that no alcohol is served in the restaurant, though you can ask one of the staff to send out for a local beer if you’re desperate!  

To book accommodation or to order food ahead of your visit to Kisiizi Falls, go here.

The verdict: Is Kisiizi Falls worth visiting?

The bottom line is yes, Kisiizi Falls is absolutely worth visiting. It’s a beautiful waterfall with a tragic yet interesting past. The visitor’s center is informative, and there are lots of activities you can do around the falls. You can also stay and eat at the guest house if you want to break up your journey.   

Overall, if you’re keen to visit a waterfall during your upcoming vacation in Uganda, Kisiizi Falls is a great option to consider, particularly if you’re visiting southwest Uganda for gorilla trekking or a safari in QENP.  

Visiting Kisiizi Falls FAQs

How much does it cost to visit Kisiizi Falls?   

Kisiizi Falls is completely free to visit! Park up in front of the visitor’s center and make your way to the falls via the track. There are several activities that you can pay to do if you want to make the most of your trip to Kisiizi.  

Is there accommodation at Kisiizi Falls?   

Yes, there is accommodation at Kisiizi Falls, provided by the guest house next to the visitor’s center. At the time of writing, the cost of a 4-person cottage is 125,000 UGX ($35), including a simple breakfast.  

Can you swim at Kisiizi Falls?   

Technically you can swim at Kisiizi Falls or at least in parts of the Kyabamba River. That being said, it’s not the best swimming spot in Uganda – check out our swimming in Uganda article to discover the best places for a dip in the Pearl of Africa.  

Is there wildlife at Kisiizi Falls?   

There are lots of beautiful birds in and around Kisiizi Falls. However, you won’t see any dangerous wild animals, like hippos or crocs, which populate waterways in some of the country’s national parks.