Ssezibwa Falls

Legend of River Sezibwa

According to the Baganda people who live around the Falls, it is believed that there is a traditional legend that is believed to be the concern of the origin of Sezibwa River and subsequently the Ssezibwa Falls. There is a mystery belief that Sezibwa River was born by the woman called Nakkungu Tebatuusa while on their way to Kavuma Bukunja with and her husband who was Nsubuga Sebwaato.

The locals believe that this woman Nakkungu Tebatuusa gave birth to twins in form of water which turned into river Sezibwa and river Bwanda according to the traditional legend. The name Sezibwa came from Luganda word “Sizibwa Kkubo” which translates “my path can`t be blocked” and the locals say because its flow could not be blocked, this is why even with many obstacles, river Sezibwa managed to reach 150 metres long. Please spare a day on your Uganda safari and visit the Ssezibwa Falls for more information about this legend and the tour guides who reside around the areas of Ssezibwa Falls.

Bird watching

Ssezibwa Falls is not only a cultural area but also another birding paradise where most visited who have come into the country on a Uganda birding safari have visited. The falls area is rich in water bird species, some forest species found the surrounding trees and African savannah species which are usually seen in the agricultural gardens that are found near the falls. Some of the bird species that have been spotted in this area include; African finfoot, giant Kingfisher, Black and White Casqued Hornbill, Splendid Starling,  Great Blue Turaco, Woodland Kingfisher, Dark capped Bulbul, Red eyed Dove, Tambourine Dove, Crowned Hornbill, Eastern Plantain Eaters, African Paradise Flycatcher, Red bellied Paradise Flycatcher, Northern Grey headed Sparrow and more.

There are also some species of African animals that can be seen around the Ssezibwa Falls area such as the Tree Squirrel, horned adders, Red tailed Monkeys, Green mambas, Nile Monitor Lizard and Vervet Monkeys.

Cultural Experiences

A visit to Ssezibwa Falls begins with a tour of the area under the guidance of a tour guide before you visit the cultural area with many shrines where many people come to worship and perform cultural rituals at the top of the Ssezibwa Falls. The traditional healers in this place have built many shrines where worshipers camp for days and nights while they pray for the blessings and removal of curses through these traditional doctors.

There is a mystical belief that Ssezibwa Falls have supernatural powers that connect the worshippers to their ancestors to reward them long life, gain wealth, and defeat their enemies among other needs.

A good example is the prominent shrine called “Mbuga ya Musoke” which they say it has a resident python called Nalongo which the traditional healer uses ro perform rituals for those seeking for wealth, children, love, good harvest among others.

Rock climbing

There are very beautiful racked rocks at Ssezibwa Falls that are interesting for the climbing experience. These rocks are not to high but enough to offer a climbing experience among other interesting activities near the Falls.