How can i describe Kiima Falls?
“Deep within the lush Rwenzori Mountains, nestled in the picturesque village of Mapatha, lies the enchanting Kima Waterfalls. This natural wonder is a mesmerizing ensemble of four mystical waterfalls, cascading down three serene rivers, and sheltering five magical caves.

As you step into this mystical realm, the roar of the waterfalls grows louder, and the air is filled with the sweet scent of tropical vegetation. The waterfalls themselves are a sight to behold – crystal clear waters tumble down rugged rock faces, creating a misty veil that rises into the air.

The five magical caves, hidden behind the waterfalls, beckon you to explore their ancient secrets. As you venture into these mysterious caverns, the sound of dripping water echoes through the chambers, and the flickering light of the cave entrances dances across the walls.

Kima Waterfalls is a true gem of the Rwenzori Mountains, a place where nature’s beauty and magic come alive. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, an adventure seeker, or simply looking for a tranquil retreat, Kima Waterfalls is a must-visit destination that will leave you in awe.”

The Journey to Kiima Falls

It was amazing visiting four waterfalls on three rivers each with a magical Cave or caves besides, all in one village called Mapatha up in the Rwenzori Mountains. I will never again believe the tales suggesting that Rwenzori was discovered by John Speke or Samuel Baker, none of them reached the most beautiful places in the mountain such as Mapatha Village, a community that holds four beautiful waterfalls on three different rivers with five magical caves that housed the Rwenzuru warriors more than a million years ago their weapons in a magical armory are still kept. I now know who the real discoverers of Rwenzori Mountains are.

Kiima Waterfalls Named:

With fellow hikers we agreed to name this trail as “Kiima Waterfalls Circuit” on the fact that the biggest waterfall has a permanent rainbow called “Ekiima” in Lukonzo and Kiima was a name of the grandpa to Masika Janet the young girl, a nature lover born of Kasese and founder of Gilazio Adventure who was the first visitor to this breathtaking village.

When Masika first visited Mapatha village in 2023, for a hike to the stunning waterfalls which residents used to view from a far, natives were astonished because they had never seen anyone going to these water bodies. She got mistaken by residents as part of the rebel group that had massacred tourists in Queen Elizabeth National Park around the same month. She got tortured by village residents until district security authorities such as RDC were contacted for her identification and rescue. Although Masika did not reach the falls because of time wasted, she left the place when residents and their leaders had agreed she should come back. Since then Masika has attracted friends and revisited the place with them, and when she visited with the first Muzungu the community people got amazed to learn that their village holds treasures that can attract people of the world to come and see. My visit to this amazing village was with Masika on her third visit to the same village.

Masika has since then motivated the community to take care of the trail, two young men initiated a community group that opens the trail and guides visitors through the village. They have started a cultural entertainment group that welcomes visitors with traditional dance.

The Hike to Kiima Waterfalls:

The journey to Mapatha Village is real challenge, after meeting host Masika Jane with other Kasese Hikers including Elly and Bright both nature lovers, we left Kasese Town early morning with Motocycle riders locally known as Bodabodas because there were no roads to take vehicles to the mountain village.  For almost an hour on bodabodas we stopped at a point where bodabodas cannot go beyond and started walking. We walked for about an hour to meet our village guides Mr Barnabas and his colleague who waited for us as Masika had informed them.

The morning journey was so captivating with a long story by Masika, I was already eager to reach the natural wonders of the Rwenzori and immerse myself in the rich cultural tapestry of the Bakonzo natives of the village. The excitement coursing through my veins was akin to a symphony, each beat promising an adventure that would forever be etched in my memory.

By the end of the journey, I believed that the true definition of Rwenzori Mountains as a mystical challenge was based on Mapatha village. By nature, location, environment and people, Mapatha Village is a unique adventure destination due to its natural instatement.

Along the way we witnessed several vended slopes, beautiful natural forests, astonishing sounds of birds in the forest and extensive acres of coffee and cassava plantations. In my heart I was already wondering whether the world knows about this beauty.

After meeting the local guides, they immediately introduced us a slopping challenge to the first waterfall, it has started raining and slopping on unopen trails caused to use hands and buttocks to reach the water body that forms roaring waterfalls. We were already soaked by nature.

Through the first cave, each turn revealed a new natural masterpiece, sculpted by the relentless hand of time. Here was the first waterfall besides the caves. We met the village chairman whom the guides introduced to use, he greeted us in his native language Lukozo “Wabichiire” meaning good morning and wished a safe hike as we continued.

Through scattered homesteads, residents waved to us and greeted us in their language, especially women were already working in cassava gardens, children collecting water and grazing goats. People did not mind their business as in many other areas, they instead welcomed us, an assurance that we were safe with them.

Towards mid-day we were introduced to the second and third caves with a stream of water passing in the middle after forming the second waterfall.  Some part of the river was dangerously very deep, our guides warned us not to reach that point. It is expected that Rwenzururu warriors lived in one of the caves while keeping their weapons in the caves across the river and the enemies who came to attack them would draw in the water at the very deep point. Close to the big cave the waters were relatively shallow forming a good swimming place for the warriors.

Wondering how children in this village access education, we came across one Mapatha SDA primary school in the village which we were told is a government aided school with incomplete open buildings. As there was no road leading to the school, no government official be it school inspectors have ever reached the school. Teachers to the school must take a long hike every day meaning that teaching and learning goes on just a few hours every day. Whatever circumstances, children of Mapatha village must seat the same examinations with children living and studying in Kampala city.

At this moment we were very tired, but our internal motivation kept pushing us to the main Falls located in the forest near to the boundaries of the gazette Rwenzori national park.

Finally, we reached where nature’s artistry is on full display. First was an encounter with the fourth caves said to have been the armory where the Rwenzururu warriors kept their weapons. Sharp stone objects can still be found in the caves. At this point, the roar of the waterfall was already filling the air, creating a symphony of grandeur that echoed through the valleys. I stood mesmerized, my soul resonating with the sheer power and beauty of the scene.

It was a moment to cool the already tired and hot body in the water falling several meters from the rocks. As the sun hit to the falling waters forming so many circles of rainbow. This the point Masika calls “the garden of Eden” while Elly our colleague calls it “the promised Land Canaan”. It was at this moment where Masika went emotional with silence after seeing the permanent rainbow circle, and when we asked her she answered “I have met my grandpa”. Kiima a name that means a rainbow in Lukonzo was Masika’s Grandpa, while her grandma was called Maragarita in Lukonzo same as Margaret and similar to Margarita the highest peak on the Rwenzori Mountains. We were all amazed what had always attracted the young girl Masika towards this place, it was an interaction with her cultural ancestors.

From the biggest waterfall we encountered a more challenging cliff to climb, through another huge cave (the fifth cave). Climbing the cliffs required using the entire body, the hands and the legs alike.

We then came to the final fourth waterfall where we spent time cooling our bodies in water with interludes of sun bathing. Nobody wanted to leave at this point, were were tired and hungry, but the place was too beautiful to leave.

Through gardens and a more savanna-like vegetation zone we were returning to the starting point, our legs trembling, empty stomach and indeed very low energies but currying a heavy luggage of memories with us. We then reached at the home of one of our guides. We were amazed be welcomed with such sounds of entertainment by the Village men and women playing a local xylophone and dancing rhythmically to the tunes welcoming us from the trail.

Here we were served one of the traditional Rwenzuru meal of organic pumpkin and cassava served with bean leaves. It was yummy and a great relief as we were hungry and tired, this became a savior to us. It had been prepared by a school girl of senior three who had been on holiday the time.

A visit to Mapatha Village was truly a promise of a delightful array of activities, a deeper connection with nature and local culture, a challenging yet rewarding trails that crisscross the Rwenzori Mountains, traversing steep slopes, navigating through lush forests, this hike offered us unparalleled opportunity with panoramic views, unique flora and fauna, indeed it was a day of soaking in the serenity of the mountains.

Benefits of Community Tourism

This was the first trip in my life that made me get the true understanding of the common term “Community Tourism”. The whole day hike was about us as visitors and the locals as our hosts. In the end we all shared the benefits. We spent some money and we were happy it was to benefit the people who made our day a success. For instance, the four bodaboda riders who took us in the morning earned 20000/ each and equally those who took us back to Kasese Town after the hike. We paid 40000/ to the guides, a contribution they use to open the trails. On a Village center we bought yellow banana from a woman at 5000/ which she said she was going to buy books and pens to take her children back to school. We gifted 10000/ to the cultural entertainment group for their generous offer of entertainment. To the young girl a student of Senior three who served us the best meal we gifted her 20000/ also. The natives were very happy and they also gifted us pumpkins to take to our homes. To them, we were not tourists, but visitors.

Very exhausted and dirty, with a heart full of cherished memories, I bid farewell to Mapatha village, its allure forever will etch into my mind. The enchanting community that unveiled its natural treasures to me, leaving me with a profound appreciation for the Rwenzori’s breathtaking beauty and the wonders that wait in every corner. As I departed, I carried with me the echoes of laughter, the symphony of nature, and the indelible mark of an unforgettable adventure. Incredible wealth of captivating attractions, unforgettable landscapes, the cascading waterfalls, hidden caves, the panoramic mountain views, authentic cultural immersion, the welcoming Bakonzo community, their traditions, their foods and their way of life.

To all my readers I know you want to know more about this incredible scenic area in Uganda, please don’t hesitate to contact us, we will take you there. We are soon going back, gather your energies, your jungle shows and your backpack, and join us on the next hike. We agreed, we will be visiting this place quiet often. Send us an email at kitararcc@gmail.com or give us a call at +256772888149 or +256752888149.

More in the Gallery

I am still wondering on how each of the five caves is located on a waterfall. Near each of the caves there are wild bananas, a plant endemic to natural forests. This could be an affirmation that more than a million years ago, there lived a people whose life was of bush nature. They lived in caves and always near water. More studies to be made.