rivers & waterfalls

The Victoria Nile bursts through a narrow 43 m long gorge before it plunges into a tumultuous foamy pool at the bottom, a truly magnificent sight.

Situated in the north-west, between Lake Kyoga and Lake Albert, in Uganda’s largest national park, Murchison Falls is a force of nature and Uganda’s most visited waterfall.

The best way to view Murchison Falls is with either a boat cruise or a guided hike. As you approach the falls via boat, you can feel the power of the waterfall building as you approach. 

On the slopes of Mount Elgon lies three beautiful cascading waterfalls.

The falls are named after the Sep, a medicinal wild banana tree indigenous to northern Uganda.

The falls are situated at an altitude of 1,775 m and range from 65 to 100 m in height.

You can head out on a guided hike along the Sipi River through local communities, farmland and over the rocky foothills to see each of the three falls.

If you wish to visit all three falls, the round-trip takes approximately three hours and can be quite challenging. However, the surrounding area’s natural beauty and the opportunity to stand behind the falls make it worth your while.

Alternatively, the most popular trail is only 20 minutes to the base of one of the falls from the post office in Sipi town.

Make sure to pack your swimming costumes, as the final waterfall plunge pool at the bottom of the 100m falls is fantastic for a cooling swim. 

Despite being one of Uganda’s lesser-known waterfalls, the beautiful rocky Aruu Falls is a worthwhile stop if you’re travelling between Kidepo Valley and Murchison Falls national parks.

Just four and a half kilometres off the Pader-Kitgum highway, stop here to take in the breathtaking scenery and for a picnic lunch.

If you are not in a hurry, spend the day here and go rock climbing, swimming, or on a guided nature or community walk.

However, beware the rocks can be very slippery due to the water, so take extra care.