Sezibwa falls “the hidden treasure of Uganda”
Sezibwa falls is a reserved Buganda heritage site located in Mukono district, the falls are situated 32 kilometers from Kampala the capital city of Uganda east to Mukono. Sezibwa falls part of river Sezibwa which has it source in buikwe district, the river is at a length of 150 km from the source to the end flowing through wetlands between Lake Victoria and Lake Kyoga. The falls are formed when the river squeezes through hard rocks forming a magnificent water fall of 7 meters high. Sezibwa falls forms a tranquil scenic view as it falls to the rocks with a sweet hissing sound.
Sezibwa falls is not a mere water fall it is a culture historical and traditional belief site for Baganda people and Buganda kingdom preserving the ancient African culture, for ages this site has been used for traditional cultural rituals by traditional believers. Sezibwa falls is a captive beauty filled with many exciting and interesting nature aspects.
When you visit this site you will be rewarded with pure scenic view of the falls stumbling over hard rocks with a gushing sound, a lush of green vegetation, beautiful rocks, cool and serene atmosphere and various kinds of wildlife and bird species. Sezibwa falls is a great bird area as it is a home to numerous bird species approximately 150 species including White Casqued Hornbill, Great Blue Turaco, Dark capped Bulbul, Red eyed Dove, Woodland Kingfisher, Crowned Hornbill, Eastern Plantain Eaters, Northern, Grey headed Sparrow, Tambourine Dove, Lesser stripped Swallow, Hadada Ibis, Vieillot’s Black Weaver, Tawny Flanked Prinia, African Ground Thrush, Black and White Mannikin, Grey headed Nigrita, African Pygmy Kingfisher, African Paradise Flycatcher, Red bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Rock Martin, Grey backed Camaroptera and many more.
Sezibwa falls is an interesting destination as it is hosts a combination of significance to different groups of people, to Baganda people the site is culturally and traditionally significant to them, to Anglican believers the site is used for prayers and glorifying the almighty God and for tourist it is a destination. Sezibwa falls as a site is split between two ownership, part of the site is owned by Anglican Church of Uganda who have a church in this area and carry out baptism in the water of the river. The part operated by the Baganda people is where cultural traditional ceremonies and rituals are carried out, in this area you get to see items like black cloth, coffee bean, spears and many sacrifices too the gods for luck and blessing are carried out here.
Legend of Sezibwa falls
According to Buganda people and their tales, hundred years ago a woman by names of Nakangu Tebatuusa from “kibe” fox clan with her husband Nsubuga Sebwaato were expecting to give birth to twins but instead of giving birth to human babies she realised she gave birth to two streams on her way to Kavuma Bukunja. The newly born twins, ssezibwa flowed west wards while mobeya flowed east wards to Nyenga.
Local Baganda people have a belief that the spirits of the ssezibwa and mobeya live in the waters of river ssezibwa, giving birth to twins in Baganda culture is a supernatural thing which calls for traditional worship, performing of rituals, sacrificing of animals as a way of giving praise and honoring the gods and the spirits. When these rituals are not performed after the birth of the twins it is said that the twins pass a bad omen to the father or they do not live long since they are also considered to be spirits, in Buganda it is also customary to throw stones into the waters for good luck. From the river legend a local word “sezibibwa kkubo” was born which means that there is no obstacle that can stop me from moving on, as the two born river streams are seen flowing past tranquil island that separates them into 2 streams.
Fascinating facts to attract you Sezibwa falls
Breathtaking scenery
Sezibwa falls is endowed with various component of nature creating a beautiful scenery in this location, Sezibwa location is dotted by a canopy of green trees which welcome you to the falls, as you go further you will be amused by the gashing sounds made by water as they hit the rocks. While on the bridge the beautiful view of the falls with its crystal white water flowing like a scene from Disney movies will blow you away.
Fun activities
When you visit Sezibwa falls you get to engage in various fun filled activities which are fit for every age, in this site you get to enjoy culture encounters, swimming ,bird watching which are aren’t our usual daily activities. For picnic and romantic gateways Sezibwa falls is your perfect destination as you get to enjoy the green scenery and fresh air. Other activities you can participate in at Sezibwa falls is cycling and kwepena.
Perfect spot for photography
For photographers and photography enthusiasts visiting Sezibwa falls is your perfect destination for fun and memorable pictures, Sezibwa falls has many magnificent spots where you can take beautiful and memorable pictures.
River Sezibwa is a fascinating tourist destination offering numerous safari activities such as
Bird watching
Sezibwa falls is a prominent Birding destination best for birding lovers, on birding experience in Sezibwa falls you get to see many beautiful birds approximately 150 bird species such as White Casqued Hornbill, Great Blue Turaco, Dark capped Bulbul, Red eyed Dove, Woodland Kingfisher, Crowned Hornbill, Eastern Plantain Eaters, Northern, Grey headed Sparrow, Tambourine Dove, Lesser stripped Swallow, Hadada Ibis, Vieillot’s Black Weaver, Tawny Flanked Prinia, African Ground Thrush, Black and White Mannikin, Grey headed Nigrita, African Pygmy Kingfisher, African Paradise Flycatcher, Red bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Rock Martin, Grey backed Camaroptera and many more.
Rock climbing/hiking
Sezibwa falls is gifted with beautiful racked rocks which offer the amazing rock climbing, as you climb the rocks you get to enjoy the beautiful surrounding vegetation. This activity is engaged in by many tourists because it is a form of exercise while enjoying fresh air and encounter animals like skinks, lizard and snakes which come to the rocks in hot days to sun bath.
Cultural experiences
Sezibwa falls is a heritage site for Baganda people and kingdom preserving and showcasing the ancient culture of the Baganda, the falls have shrines where you get to learn more about the fascinating traditional religion of Baganda people. These shrines have items used in traditional religion such as bark cloth, calabashes, pots, spears, coffee beans and many more. As a way of worshiping in a traditional way many locals are witnessed offering sacrifices at the falls.
Camping
Sezibwa falls is surrounded by beautiful nature and vegetation which offer great camping experience, when you visit the falls on your safari you can camp a few meters from the falls in this beautiful and serene heritage site.
Nature walks and sightseeing
Sezibwa falls is surrounded by amazing scenery created by Sezibwa River flowing through thickets and rocks thus creating a waterfall offering amazing sightseeing experience, nature walks on river Sezibwa you will be blown away by a beautiful sight of the waterfalls, a wide number of birds, mongoose, wild cats and many more as you walk through bamboo trees. Among the beautiful nature there is big historical tree which was planted by kabaka Mwanga the late king of Buganda.
Getting to Sezibwa falls
To get to Sezibwa falls you use road means of transport via Jinja–Kampala roads to Mukono district which is a 1-2 hours’ drive including traffic delays. On the way you encounter a view of sugar cane plantations, when you reach kayanja trading Centre turn right on a dirt road . On this route out will fir about 1.5 kilometers before you reach the falls entry gate.
