My journey to Sebwe waterfalls in the Rwenzoris was one of my most satisfying travel experiences of 2023. With fellow travellers of Kasese Hikers Club, we took on the hike that lasted 8 hours that still seem like 24 hours.
At JS Ice Cream point Kasese town we met and united with stranger friends before we set off for our adventure. Everyone looked prepared for the hike, from the dress code to the attitude. Many thanks to Mr Derick the leader of the trip who put this adventure together. One by one, we all gathered and drove several kilometers to the UWA offices near the mountains in a Bugoye Sub County. We drove past the Kasese airfield along the Kasese – Fort Portal highway and branched off at Nkenda junction commonly referred to as ‘Okwakisanyarazi’ a Lhukonzo word describing an area with plenty of electric transmission lines.
With game rangers we headed for the mountains through trading centers such as Muramba and Kisamba trading centers. Between Muramba and Kisamba, the terrain changed, we were now ascending the Rwenzoris. We had challenges at many hills where our cars could not climb and required us to come out to push the cars in teams. Cars engines heating up powering hot water on us, the car I was in later poured all water and could not move any further, we had to walk all the remaining distance to join our colleagues to the planned parking place. What kept us motivated was the fact that we were already seeing the waterfalls from a distance.
A beautiful view of water falling over a lengthy rocky ledge sandwiched in a dark green equatorial rain forest. We were hungry to get there! The elegance, mystery and beauty of nature; from the thundering to the magical waterfalls, you can find exactly what you are looking for when you visit Bukonzo Communities in Kasese Western Uganda. Whether you are looking to capture the immense power and majesty of the waterfalls or gaze at the soft white foam of a sparkling stream as it cascades down a mountainside, the selection of waterfall will bring the beauty of water in nature to your attention.
You may have read, watched a video or heard of the Rwenzori mountains. A range of snowcapped mountains running along the western boarder of Uganda and on the East of the Democratic republic of Congo. Standing tall at an elevation of 5,109 meters (16,762 ft) above sea level, the highest point in Uganda.
Local guides welcomed us to Kisamba and got us ready for the hike to the waterfalls. The route to the falls seemed easy at the start as we walked through homesteads with good views of the mountains and the lower plains. We could hardly understand how challenging to was going to become ahead. Our local guides ahead of us, UWA rangers with us, people who started together from the same point started to stretch and by the time we entered the forest the front person was two kilometers from the last person. We trekked through the local community with coffee and Cassava gardens on the sides of the pathways. Shared brief smiles and greetings with the local residents who kept encouraging us to continue. A number of children from the community joined us on the journey as some of them had been going there before.
Through the hills to a thick forest we started hearing the roaring sounds of the waterfalls mixed with sounds of wild birds producing sweet melodies in space. We had so many streams of water to cross before reaching to our destination. Although we were very tired, when we reached the place everyone on the team danced with jubilation.
It was quality time spent at the waterfalls, with the gentle water massage rejuvenating our bodies, keeping in mind that we must trek back to the starting point. We harvested rich in terms of memory and physical challenge. It was a day well spent.
This was Sebwe Waterfalls in the Rwenzori mountains in Kasese District of Western Uganda. Uganda’s Water Falls are one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Waterfalls are an enticing destination for many travelers in the world. For those wishing to visit this beautiful site a guided walking tour offers unsurpassed opportunities to enjoy the landscape, but, joining a group of hikers such as the Kitara Foundation and Kasese Hikers Club and come along to these waterfalls is an experience of your lifetime.
Facts about the falls:
Aside from its breath taking beauty, Sebwe Waterfalls are also considered to be one of the best in the region. Based on the measurements of height, width and the sweet sounds of falling water.
The spray from the falls can be seen from great distances, as you come close you start to hear the roaring sound, so it becomes a motivation to keep you moving after climbing rocky hills and you are really tired.
From the pages of the history books:
People trekking to the fall are following in the footsteps of the famous historical figures who discovered Mt Rwenzori such as Samuel Baker, Henry Mutton Stanly and Margaret of Margerita Peak.
Going in group:
A group walking adventure is an excellent way to share completely new encounters with a whole new circle of acquaintances. Most organized walks have groups participating allowing for a more personalized experience. On such tours it is also possible to have a guide involved who is local to the area. They are able to share their extensive experience and knowledge of the community with within the group.
The surrounding areas of the falls offer many unique experiences and places to explore. The falls are also near to Queen Elizabeth national park, Rwenzoi National Park, and so many others, with Queen Elizabeth and Rwenzori mountains declared world heritage sites.
A walking expedition to Sebwe falls allows the sights and sounds of this majestic landscape to be truly absorbed. There is the opportunity to visit local communities and become immersed in the culture. A group tour also brings people from many backgrounds together. They bring different outlooks to a shared experience. Visiting somewhere as meaningful as the Sebwe Falls.
The waterfalls surrounded by lush vegetation and washed by the spray of the wild, roaring waters of the streams, as well as scenes from the beautiful landscapes of the surrounding area.
Challenging walk ways take you from the comfort of your home to the waterfalls at this location up in the mountains. Many people come here to underline the enormous power of the gigantic natural spectacle; Its Elegant, mysterious and beautiful.
In addition to the power and majesty of waterfalls in the natural environment, you also admire many amazing sites of the pure beauty, gentleness and diversity of these wonders of nature.
Rainbows that span waterfalls, magnificent golden sunrises or pink-red sunsets over white foaming streams that plunge into the emerald green depths below, streams that spring from green, winding forest corridors and cascade through rocks or white frozen and crystal clear waterfalls can be found here.
Whether it is mystical or magical, waterfalls chasing through the golden and rust-red colors of the autumn landscape, this selection of adventure has something special to offer, whatever you are looking for from the world of nature.
Sebwe Waterfall is an astonishing spectacle, not only the fall, but also the amazing beauty of the landscape captures the visitor’s attention.
In summary, it can be said that Sebwe waterfalls are among the most dramatic subjects in Uganda tours, both as an individual motif and as part of a larger overall scenery.
“The beauty of being able to travel is seeing things as they really are”. You physically are removing yourself from hearing and reading about things to really seeing them.
Hiking to Sebwe waterfalls especially with local groups of hikers such as Kasese Hikers Club gives you chance learn more about many things. Members share about their community, culture, works and life style. It’s really a life changing experience. At the falls, you are received by members of a conservation group who will entertain you with local songs and traditional dances using traditional instruments. Unless you are a lazy or bad person you can’t hesitate to join the stage.
To my readers who would like to go on an adventure of such a life time experience that will leave you with a changed worldview, contact Kitara Foundation, we will get back there with you.
Kitara Foundation for Regional Tourism 