Uganda > Climbing along the waterfalls

Uganda - A cave behind Sipi Falls offers a nice view of the waterfalls

The weather is beautiful with a clear view. A hearty breakfast is ready—a good start for my hike today along the waterfalls. Two guides accompany me: Moses and Tonio. We hike in two groups: one faster and one slower. I take a bamboo walking stick for the slippery sections. I pass the first waterfall from above, then descend along the rock face to reach a nice viewing point. I climb back up and pause at the base of the second waterfall. Here, I enter a cave behind the waterfall, where two streams of water crash down. Sunlight shines through the falling water. Impressive! I continue climbing to the top of this waterfall. The path is narrow and steep. At the top, there is the option to swim, but Tonio advises against it—the water level is too high.

Uganda - A small boy fetches water from the stream

I also didn’t bring water shoes and estimate I would need them here. I walk further to the base of the third and uppermost waterfall. A beautiful rainbow forms in the mist. Passing through several mountain villages, I descend about 200 meters to Sipi Village. At Moses’ house, a generous Ugandan lunch is prepared. In various dishes, there is matoke, avocado, spinach, pumpkin leaves, beans, and chapati (flatbread). Matoke is the national dish, made from a type of banana. Everything tastes excellent. After lunch, Moses explains how coffee is made. He shows the coffee beans, peels them, lets us pound them, sieves the husks, and roasts the beans over the campfire. Finally, I pound the roasted beans myself. Shortly afterward, I enjoy my own freshly processed coffee. Further into the village, I am invited to taste homemade beer. The beer is poured into a jug and drunk through long straws. I take a small sip—the beer flavor is barely noticeable.

Uganda - A colorful chameleon in Uganda

Among the coffee trees near the house, Moses spots a chameleon. It takes me a moment to see the ten-centimeter-long creature—it camouflages perfectly. Soon, I notice there are several more in the orchard. You just have to know where to look. It has been beautiful weather all day, but clouds quickly gather. In the distance, thunder begins. I walk back to the resort. As I update my travel journal on the veranda, a heavy downpour starts. It’s raining cats and dogs. Uganda can clearly be dramatic. I enjoy it under the small overhang. Inside, it doesn’t stay completely dry either, so I move some of my belongings to keep them safe. Other travelers are less lucky—their phone floats in the water.