Our Escape to the Slopes of Mount Elgon - Sisiyi Falls Adventure
- Nabudere Lawrence
- Oct 16
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 23
Introduction to Sisiyi Falls Adventure
If you’ve never been to Sisiyi for Sisiyi Falls Adventure, you’re seriously missing out! It’s one of those places that instantly makes you forget the chaos of life. The falls are super easy to reach—just a short walk off the Mbale–Moroto road.
On August 6, 2025, I led a team of some of Budadiri Hiking Club members for a fun and slightly challenging Sisiyi Falls Adventure. I actually started this club in 2023 with a few friends to encourage locals to fall in love with hiking—because, honestly, for a long time, people thought hiking was only for foreigners.
As a local tour guide who’s done countless Sisiyi Falls Adventure hikes, I can confidently say that every hike feels different. This particular one stood out because of the amazing team I had—five energetic teachers from Masaba Secondary School in Budadiri:
Tr. Simbowa (aka Engineer), a funny chemistry teacher and all-round entertainer
Tr. Faith, the calm and serious entrepreneurship and ICT teacher
Tr. Mary, a curious geography teacher who kept us learning all the way
Tr. Paul, a history teacher and a fun of malwa (local beer) and adventurous
Tr. Sofi, the adventurous yet nervous biology teacher who kept the vibe lively
The Start of Our Sisiyi Falls Adventure
We kicked off our Sisiyi Falls Adventure hike from the Sisiyi Falls Resort Campsite. The weather was perfect—not too hot, just warm enough for a good climb. Everyone was hyped, especially for the ziplining adventure we planned to do after the hike (spoiler alert: it didn’t go exactly as planned).
We began from the left side of the falls, hiking up the trail that winds through green, lush vegetation. If you ever hike this trail, start on the left—it’s way easier when it’s dry, but very slippery and dangerous after rain.
The climb was steep but exciting. With laughter, jokes, and shared stories, we barely noticed how tough it was. Tr. Mary kept us engaged with her mini geography lessons, explaining rock formations and landscapes. Honestly, it turned into a “classroom on the mountain.” I even regretted not carrying a notebook—so many fun facts flying around!
As we climbed higher, the views of the Mount Elgon Slopes and plains below became more breathtaking. Tr. Simbowa kept reminding everyone to hydrate, while Tr. Sofi, our selfie queen, wanted pictures on every rock (and yes, I was the official cameraman!).
Reaching the Top of Sisiyi Falls.
After about 35 minutes of hiking, we finally made it to the top. Wow—the view was simply magical! From here, you can see the Teso and Karamoja plains, along with the surrounding farmlands and villages. It’s a perfect spot for photos and quiet reflection.
I’ll never forget Tr. Mary’s words:
“If you’ve never visited Sisiyi Falls Uganda, you’re making a very big mistake!”
After soaking in the views, we continued to the very point where the waterfalls drop. On the way, we stumbled upon two local men brewing buseela (malwa)—a traditional local beer made from maize. This drink is deeply rooted in Bagisu culture, especially during circumcision ceremonies.
We chatted with them, and they even let us taste the half-ready brew (locally called kisiilo). Of course, Tr. Paul and Engineer Simbowa were the first to volunteer! Tr. Sofi, a biology teacher, couldn’t resist explaining the chemical reactions happening in the brew—so yes, it was another lesson in disguise!
The Rain That Almost Got Us during the Sisiyi Falls Adventure
We reached the top viewpoint, ready to rest, eat snacks, and take in the serenity—but then, the sky started turning grey. Before long, it rained cats and dogs!
We ran for shelter into a small mud hut just in time. The rain poured heavily for about 45 minutes, but the team stayed positive—laughing, chatting, and enjoying every moment. When it finally stopped, we carefully made our way down. I always tell my hikers, “If you rush, you crush.” And true enough, everyone listened—no one fell, no one got hurt.
Ziplining during the Sisiyi Falls Adventure
After the rain, we were starving! Luckily, the Sisiyi Falls Campsite staff had already prepared a delicious meal for us. We feasted like champions—revenge for the rain that had cut our hike short.
Once we were full, it was zip lining time! Engineer Simbowa went first, followed by Tr. Paul and Tr. Mary. Tr. Sofi hesitated but eventually gave in, while Tr. Faith decided to sit it out. Since I’ve done it before, I stayed behind to take photos.
Unfortunately, the rain had increased the water flow, making the zipline ride less smooth. The strong spray from the falls made it hard to take pictures or fully enjoy the experience—but we still had a blast. After all, it’s not about perfection; it’s about creating memories—and we did exactly that!
Quick Summary of the Sisiyi Falls Adventure
Activity & Location: hiking at sisiyi falls on the slopes of Mount Elgon, Uganda
Trail Distance: About 2.5 km
Time Needed: 2–3 hours (more if you add ziplining)
Difficulty Level: Moderate—anyone in good health can do it
Best Time to Hike: All year round, but best when it hasn’t rained
Other Nearby Hikes
If you’re ever in Eastern Uganda, don’t miss hiking at Sisiyi Falls Adventure. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, ziplining across roaring drops, or just soaking in nature—this place never disappoints.
See you on the trail! 🌿💦
The writer is a guide, hiker, and nature enthusiast based in Budadiri at the Sasa Trailhead. He also organizes hiking adventures both inside and outside Mount Elgon National Park. If you have sisiyi falls hiking stories, please share your experience in the comment section below.
This looks fantastic, I missed but Next time, better 😜
This is very good Mr. Lawrence. I couldn't imagine you recalling almost every bit of the hike. I loved the hike and can't wait to go back to Zipline again.- it was wow. Despite the heavy rains, we couldn't do away with our Diaz wine from director Dembwe Geoffrey 👇👇