Discover the Sempaya Hot Springs of Semuliki NP: Sempaya Hot Springs lie within the steam-filled lowland forests of Semliki National Park between the foothills of the towering Rwenzori Mountain ranges and the southern tip of Lake Albert in western Uganda. These hot springs are a major highlight to visitors here and are associated with the active geothermal process responsible for shaping this rift valley.
The hot springs arise from the deep earth crust, exploiting active fault lines in the rift valley to arise to the surface as hot geysers and hot pools. Named Male and Female, the Sempaya Hot Springs of Bitente (male) pool and Nyansimbi geyser (female) have a strong cultural significance to the local Bamaga people, who still bring in ritual sacrifices to the hot springs as part of worship of their ancestors.
Exploring the Sempaya Hot Springs
Exploring Sempaya hot springs is a 1-hour guided walk that begins from the Sempaya visitors’ office through a typical lowland forest structure dotted with palms bustling with primates and a good bird list. The trail leads on to the female host springs field, where the main geyser spurts out hot boiling water with temperatures of over 100 degrees Celsius to about 2m high. Around the geyser field are numerous smaller bubbling springs of mineral-rich boiling water where you can boil eggs and plantain for demonstration.
West of the female hot springs, the trail continues on with a trek of about 30 minutes to come to the boardwalk that leads to the male hot springs, a giant steamy hot pool of about 12m wide lined with colorful algae. The male hot spring stands in a verdant clearing of swamp surrounded by palms and sweeping grass. Along the edges of the hot springs is a hut dedicated to the cultural practices of the Bamaga that associate these pools with their ancestors and ritually bring in sacrifices.
Trail difficulty and dress code
A trail to the hot springs is really flat and easy except for the humidity. Good walking shoes are essential, as it can get wet and muddy around the hot springs and in the rainy season. A hut is important, and so are sunscreen and insect repellent. Carry plenty of drinking water on the walk.
Getting There and Accommodation
Sempaya Hot Springs, which lie within the Semuliki National Park, are only 60km (1 hr drive) from the tourism town of Fort Portal, easily visited as a day trip. Still, the hot spring tour can be easily tailored with a birding trip here and, even better, combined with a wildlife tour in the neighboring Semliki Wildlife Reserve. Overnight at Semuliki National Park can be in the comfortable Uganda Wildlife Guesthouse or upmarket and luxurious at Semliki Wildlife Reserve. Beyond the national park, the town of Bundibugyo, 10km from the park office of Ntandi, has various guesthouses.
Park Fees
Visiting the Sempaya Hot Springs requires an entrance fee of 35 USD for foreign nationals and 25 USD for foreign residents in Uganda. East Africans pay 15000 UGX.