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However, we have Identified a Magical Hot Springs Tourism in Uganda where we can guide you to visit
Hot springs in Uganda are one of the fascinating and mind-blowing features that attract many tourists. Uganda has a variety of attractions, but hot springs form one of the most beautiful attractions in Uganda.
Did you know bathing in a hot spring in Uganda can help you relieve backaches and other muscle problems? Well, locals believe some of these hot springs have Devine healing powers from the gods to perform miracles.
People often visit the springs to bathe for healing. When bathing in a hot spring, the steam rises above the rippling water, which is equivalent to being in a sauna, albeit fully clothed. However, medical research is yet to be conducted to prove the above cure claims.
Hot springs are always intriguing and leave many people wondering how the underground, with no fire, produces scorching hot water. The water temperature of some of the hot springs can boil an egg in 10 minutes and can warm up the water up to 120 °C (248 °F).
Where are Hot Springs found in Uganda?
Uganda’s hot springs are in various regions but mostly in Western Uganda. The four major locations include Murchison Falls National Park area, Semuliki national park, Fort Portal area, Queen Elizabeth National Park area, and Bwindi impenetrable forest national park area.
How are Hot Springs Formed?
The emergence of geothermal-heated groundwater from the earth’s crust forms hot springs. In simple terms, hot springs are formed when water meets the heated rock. The deep percolation of water into the crust induces heat from the hot rocks. The pressure forces the heat back up to a bubble, forming a hot spring.
How Many Hot Springs are in Uganda?
The most notable hot springs in Uganda are seven. These include;
- Rwagimba/Rwajimba Hot Springs
- Kitagata Hot Springs
- Sempaya Hot Springs
- Buranga Hot Springs
- Amoropii Hot Springs
- Kibiro Hot Springs
- Ihimba Hot Springs
Activities around Hot Springs in Uganda
The Hot springs in Uganda have contributed to Uganda being called the Pearl of Africa. In fact, there are plenty of them.
These hot springs complement a chain of other tourist attractions in Uganda such as roaring rivers, lakes, mountains, wildlife, and the country’s rich culture.
The hot springs in Uganda make for a great picturesque location if you want to keep memories of your safari trip to Uganda.
The areas around the water springs also offer an opportunity to participate in other activities such as baths, rock climbing, hiking, or nature walks on your trip to the falls.
Exploring these hot springs will give you a proper insight into what Uganda is all about especially when it comes to culture and nature.
Most hot springs in Uganda are a great place for relaxation over the weekend or during a holiday break. Most of them are close to bigger towns and cities and offers a cool and serene environment. Moreover, Hot springs tourism is cheap compared to Uganda’s other destinations. The other activities around Uganda’s waterfalls are: –
Bathing: Most hot springs form good bathing points with warm flowing water. If you are a water lover and want to play with nature, then no one will stop you. I mean who can discourage you from plunging into these waters after completing more difficult tusks like hiking.
Photography: If you are looking for a place to take great photos, then the hot springs could just be the place you are looking for. Apart from the hot springs, the beautiful green environment, rocks and trees look good on the camera. You could take photos while playing games within places around the springs or during the nature walks.
Hiking and Climbing Rocks: This involves hikes on places above the hot springs where you will be able to see the water steam raising above to the clouds. The hikes may be challenging for those who are not fit but the final reward is great views of the hot springs and surrounding scenery. You may even spot animals and other creatures along the way.
Birdwatching: The areas surrounding most hot springs are covered by forests which is a sanctuary to many bird species. Birders will find these places very amazing.
Nature Walks: This is arguably the most attractive activity after viewing the beautiful hot springs. The surrounding forests are the first place to go to. The main trees types are always bamboo, Muvule, Musizi, Mahogany, fig, Eucalyptus and Ebony trees. Some areas also have a lot of bushes and shrubs. With the help of a local Guide, you will also spot more birds, butterflies and small primates. Some walks can be prolonged to include visits to local farms and plantations in the surrounding areas.
Village Walks: There are several villages in the vicinity of each hot springs. Intentional tourists who come to these sights often wish to have close encounters with the local villagers to experience life in an African home. Students from different schools in Uganda also choose these places as a perfect ground for field work and research.
Cultural Experience: Most hot springs in Uganda have a cultural connection based on the cultures around each hot springs. Before Christianity and other forms of religion became widespread in Uganda, the local people had their traditional religions. Many shrines where built to allow people connect to their parted ancestors and gods. For instance at Sempaya hot springs a small shrine exists for people who want to pray to the gods of the place. Those who are interested in learning more about the ancient cultural practices of the people of Uganda can visit the shrines to learn about their ancient gods and spiritual beings.
Picnics and camping: The beautiful green gardens around the hot springs are perfect for picnics, small family parties and merry making without disturbing others. You can set up a picnic site under tall trees and enjoy the cool breeze, watch the amazing hot springs, play games as you have good time with family or friends. Those interested in camping will find the neatly mowed grounds at most springs. Camping close to the springs offers an environment with beautiful sounds of birds and primates. Drinks and food can be got from the nearby hotels, most hot springs have restaurants near to them. But, we recommend that you come with you own to avoid being disappointed by the poor services in most of these places.
Rwagimba/Rwajimba Hot Springs
Rwagimba Hot Springs is one of the dreamiest hot springs in Uganda that attracts many tourists. Rwagimba hot springs are found within the Albertine rift in the western part of Uganda, the magnificent springs are breathtaking with very interesting legend stories attached to them. They are found in Bunyangabu district in the Tooro Kingdom of Kitara Region.
The hot springs whose water boil beyond 100 degrees in some part are adjacent to River Rwimi whose water runs from Rwenzori mountains as cold below -10 degrees. At a point where the hot springs water meets the river water forms a kind of swimming pool with relatively hot water where visitors spend several hours lying in water wondering at the natural make of the place.
The natives of the place believe that the springs cure a lot of infections when they bath from the springs, people who don’t prefer going to the spas in towns just get in this natural waters and get a more satisfying taste than even in a spa.
Rwagimba hot springs are famous to the people of Tooro kingdom because its believed that their Kings (Omukama) used to frequent the springs for relaxation and healing. The king’s subjects would lift him up on their shoulders and take him to the springs and the springs were only used by the king and some of the kingdom chiefs with permission.
While visiting the springs, tourists can hike on the spectacular rolling hills for striking views and cool enjoyment. Most locals flood the springs even on Sunday mornings when others are going to church others are on the move to springs looking for healing powers.
Apart from Visiting the Rwagimba hot springs, Uganda is endowed with other hot springs that tourists can visit such as; Kitagata hot springs, Buranga hot springs, Amoropii hot springs, Nyansimbi hot springs, Ssempaya hot springs, Ihimba hot springs, Kibiro Hot springs among others.
Rwagimba hot springs is not only believed to heal the natives but also their livestock. Most of the Tooro people bring their sick cattle to be healed in the splendid springs. Others believe that the springs have gods attached to their healing hence come here to worship.
Rwagimba hot springs can be accessed from Kampala to Fort Portal or from Kampala to Kasese. Its approximately 25 kilometers from Fort Portal-Kasese rod and then drive to Kinyampanika primary school which is about 7 kilometers in Katebwa Sub county where you will trek the hills.
Apart from the enchanting hot springs that can be found in Uganda, the country is gifted with various bird species some of which are endemic to Uganda, there are also various national parks for example Queen Elizabeth National Park can be combined with an itinerary to Rwagimba hot springs. The park offers tourists with a thrilling wilderness safari and its tree climbing lions you can not find anywhere except Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania.
Tourists visiting the Rwagimba hot springs can come along with their parked food and enjoy it besides the springs. For those who would love to sleep there, there is a camping ground but you come along with your own camping equipment. But there are also various accommodations along Fort Portal to Kasese area.
Buranga Hot Springs
One of the most amazing attractions you will explore in Uganda is the hot springs and when the time comes to visit them, then think of the Buranga hot springs. These hot springs are found in Bundibugyo district (western Uganda) at the base of Bwamba Escarpment at an elevation of 1099 meters above sea level, near the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains (Mountains of the Moon).
There are so far 37 hot springs that derive geothermal energy from the deep faults of the East African Rift System, one of which is the Mumbuga spring (under the Buranga hot springs) and is a small permanent spouter and fountain. The geothermal activity of these Buranga hot springs is therefore linked to the tectonic activity of the rift, with the extremely hot water rising along the active faults of the earth crust. However, scientists have observed that after each earth quake, the hot springs are changing and are said to happen until the older springs disappear as new ones start.
Ecologically, these hot springs formed their own small ecosystem with verdant forest and wetlands around the area drawing several wildlife that visit the area to lick the salt ejecting from the earth surface and bird species due to the wetlands that surround the hot springs. Also, several endemic micro-organisms, two formerly known as strains of thermophilic Geobacillusbacteria.
There are currently three group of magnificent hot springs in the area with each of them found at about 700 meters from each other and they include;
Kitagata Hot Springs
Kitagata Hot Springs is Uganda’s natural hot spring that flows in the country’s western region, a few miles from Queen Elizabeth national park. People gather in and around the twin hot spring pools of Mugabe and Mulago, locally known as Kitagata, in Sheema district.
The Mulago and Mugabe hot springs, called Kitagata, which means warm water in the Runyankole language, lie side by side, separated by a road.
Mulago – named after Mulago hospital- is the most popular hot spring, not just for its healing powers but also because of its body-friendly moderate temperature levels, unlike the waters of Mugabe, which are steaming hot.
Kitagata hot springs are a must-visit if you are on the route that connects to Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi National Park and Lake Mburo National Park.
Many travellers flock to Kitagata to treat themselves to the hot baths or just to watch people enjoying baths in these natural hot Spas. People with many health complaints come to soak in Kitagata hot springs, believing in healing from its natural waters.
Sempaya Hot Springs
Located inside the Semuliki National Park in the Fort Portal area, the Sempaya hot spring is one of the mesmerising springs in Uganda. This spring has an amazingly high temperature reaching up to 100 degrees Celsius.
You can see the spring in two parts of the national park, which locals believe to be a male and the other as a female spring. The female spring is a few minutes from the male spring and is so hot that you can boil bananas and eggs.
Buranga Hot Springs
One of the most notable hot springs in Uganda is Burunga Hot Springs. The hot spring is located in the Rwenzori Mountains, covered by lowland tropical rainforests that add more beauty to the spring surroundings. The spring has a unique ecosystem that attracts many birds and animal species. There are 3 spring bodies; Mumbuga springs, Nyansimbe springs, and Kagoro springs, located 600 to 700m away from each other.
Mumbuga hot springs
Mumbuga are referred as the female hot springs and there are many hot springs under this group within an area of 60×40 meters and deposit carbonates but they can only be accessed during the dry season. One of hot springs in this area stands at 1.5 meters tall and comprises of travertine cone with terraces. The underground water always forms a high fountain of 50 centimeters above the pool while emitting gases and boiling at temperatures reaching 98 Celsius degrees. The flow rate of the Mumbuga hot springs is approximately 6.5 liters per second, making it faster than the other hot springs.
Kagoro hot springs
The Kagoro hot springs are found in the southern most side of the area and boil at temperatures ranging from 60 to 91 Celsius degrees. These springs cover an area of 50×15 meters and are surrounded by a dense rain-forest, but build travertine cones of 1.5 meters high. The base of the largest travertine cones of the Kagoro hot springs are comprised of sulphur deposits and are so far the only ones among the Buranga hot springs.
Nyansimbe hot springs
Also known as the male pool, Nyansimbe hot springs have developed a carbonate cone with crystal clear pool of hot water of temperatures reaching 86 Celsius degrees as well as a swamp surrounding them and can also be accessed in the dry season. The pool here has a diameter of 30 meters and depths of over 5 meters while its flow rate of about 15 liters per second.
Amoropii Hot Springs
Amoropii Hot Springs is another prime attraction on Uganda’s list of hot springs in the Murchison Falls National Park Area. Located on the western shores of Lake Albert, the Locals believe the hot spring has some divine power.
Therefore, they worship this spring, believing it is the home of the god Amoropii. Locals often sacrifice their animals to please god Amoropii. Locals slaughter the animal and leave the meat in the open for the gods. The following day, it is gone. Locals believe the gods take it.
Kibiro Hot Springs
The Kibiro Hot Springs flows in the Kibiro, a small fishing village in the Western Rift valley of Uganda. You can visit the hot springs with a well-planned itinerary and a better season (dry season).
We also recommended the destination if you are coming from Murchison falls national park going to Kibale forest national park, or going to Murchison falls national park via Hoima town. Most locals believe the hot springs also have healing power, and they visit the spring to take a bath, hoping to get healed from pain.
Ihimba Hot Springs
.We recommend visiting Ihimba Hot springs. It is one of the most breathtaking on the list of hot springs in Uganda.
Located in Kibale district, the spring offers amazing views. Locals also believe Ihimba has magical curing powers like the other hot springs in Uganda. They believe if you take a bath in the hot springs, you will get relief from backache, rheumatism and other body pains.
Contact us to plan your Hot springs safari to Uganda simply by a call or whatsaap at +256392156562 or send an email to kitararcc@gmail.com or kitara.ktcnet@gmail.com
Kitara Foundation for Regional Tourism 