The Natural Hot Springs of Uganda
The Scientists describe a hot spring as a spring produced by the emergence of geothermal-heated groundwater from the earth’s crust. These hot springs are formed when water comes into contact with the heated rock and when this water percolates deeply enough into the crust, its heated as it comes into contact with hot rocks. These hot springs are formed by cracks extending down towards the exceedingly hot temperatures of the mantle, and water seeping downwards is heated and forced back up under pressure to bubble. The Ugandan hot springs are found in Semiliki National Park which is situated in south western Uganda. In this park, hot springs are the major tourist attraction. The Hot Springs found in Uganda include the following;
The Sempaya hot springs
These hot springs are Semiliki National parks` most famous attraction and are set in a lush swampy clearing close to the south eastern corner of the Semiliki forest. These two hot springs are in two sites and are each distinct from each other. There is the Female Spring and the Male Spring. The female spring has water boiling at 103 degrees, and it spurts hot water up to 2m above the ground while the male spring is reached by following a trail and is more distant from the female spring. The water from hot springs is believed to cure certain diseases for example ringworm.
These hot springs are often a popular tourist destinations and locations for rehabilitation clinics for those with disabilities. The trail to the springs leads you through a patch of rain forest where red-tailed monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey and black and white colobus are common. Bird watching safaris are also available and stunning. Tourists can also do simple experiments like boiling eggs, cassava and green bananas in the two geothermal heated springs in this national park.
The Amoropii hot springs
These hot springs are found in northern Uganda and are believed to do miracles for its visitors because of the belief that they have divine powers.
Amoropii hot spring gets its name from an Alur word “Amoro” means hot and “pii” stands for water which when combined means hot water. One must first get permission to visit these springs and illegal visiting of these hot springs may cause the tourist problems such as snake bites and other unforeseen circumstances.
The Kitagata hot springs
These hot spring are located 1 kilometre from the Kitagata trading centre in Bushenyi district and have water to temperatures as hot as 80 degrees centigrade. These springs also have historical importance such as one being used by the Kings of Ankole and hence they, being referred to locally as ‘Ekyomugabe’, the King’s Spring. While the adjacent hot springs are more known for their medicinal value and referred to as Mulago in reference to Uganda’s national referral hospital which is Mulago. Tourists and locals travel to Kitagata to treat themselves to the hot baths or just to catch a glimpse of people bathing in these natural hot Spas. Kitagata hot springs are also well known for their curative waters. The patients from as far as 100 kms flock the springs to soak themselves in the spring waters to heal them.
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