Visit the Hot Springs in Semuliki

Uganda is truly the Pearl of Africa with the impressive endangered apes, the thunderous Murchison falls, the elevated Rwenzori Mountains with snow cover all year round and a mild climate good enough even for first time visitors. There are a lot of interesting things to know about in the country but we cannot afford to miss out on the hidden treasures; the Sempaya hot springs in Semuliki national park.

Rent a car with a driver to ride you through the curving roads on the slopes of the Rwenzori ranges to the beautiful flourishing habitats of this national park. Off the beaten track, Semuliki national park is made up of forests, savannah plains and swampy vegetation harboring numerous wildlife.

Formation of the Sempaya hot springs in Semuliki

Following high temperatures under the earth’s crust, there was up thrust of the earth’s surface layer. As water penetrates through the rock, it gets heated up to very high temperatures as it is forced upwards through the vessels to the earth’s surface to form hot springs.

Water at Sempaya hot springs heats up to about 103⁰ C. this shows how strong the geographical forces are underground. On arrival at the park headquarters, hike through the one hour trail via a forest filled with monkeys to the male section of the hot springs.

From the male springs, it takes about 30 minutes to reach the female springs. Bubbling water gushes out with very high temperatures that boil eggs and plantains in about 10 minutes. Hungry visitors can therefore grab a quick snack instantly at the female hot springs in Semuliki.

While trekking through the forest with a ranger guide found at the park, a number of monkeys including black and white colobus monkeys, grey-cheeked Mangabey and red-tailed monkeys among others are often spotted. This makes a great experience for primate lovers.

Other activities to do in Semuliki national park include;

Bird watching: this place is a birder’s haven that hosts over 400 bird species. It has a pleasant bird life incredible for birding enthusiast; about 40% of Uganda’s total bird species and 5 endemic species to the Albertine rift ecosystem.

Boat cruise: ride along the River Semuliki towards Lake Albert through schools of hippos and views of relaxing crocodiles on the shores. On a lucky day of the safari, a shoe bill stork can be spotted while approaching the swampy lushes on Lake Albert.

Game drives: these are intended to watch the game including Uganda kobs, buffaloes, elephants and pygmy antelopes. Cats like lions and leopards are occasionally seen.

Batwa cultural experience: encounter the original inhabitants of the forest known as the Batwa pygmies. They lived as hunters and gathers in this place and they demonstrate how they did it in the earlier years along with a cultural entertainment.

This place can be visited together with any of the various destinations around it such as Kibale national park, Toro Semuliki wildlife reserve, the Amabere ga Nyina Mwiru caves, Rwenzori Mountains and Queen Elizabeth national parks.

Getting to Sempaya hot springs

Sempaya hot springs are situated in Semuliki national park in western Uganda. They are found in Bundibugyo district located at the border of Uganda with the DR Congo. They enjoy a perfect location in the rift valley of the Rwenzori ranges.

The park can be accessed through two routes; Kampala-Mubende-Fort Portal or Kampala-Mbarara-Kasese-Fort Portal route. Most travelers drive via Mubende because it is the shorter route that takes about 6 hours. The road trip is so entertaining driving through the busy towns like Mubende, awesome landscapes and green tea plantations in Kyenjojo and Fort Portal.

To dodge long ours on the road, you can fly to Kasese airfield and connect to the park by road. This takes about 2 hours and a half.

Contact us for a safari to Semuliki national park to see the wondrous male and female Sempaya hot springs by sending an email to info@gorillaugandasafaribookings.com or call us directly on +256-775630809 or +256-701343598  to speak directly to our reservations team.