Hiking Sempaya hot spring: it is located at the heart of Semliki national park and they are the most visited hot springs in Uganda, it was established in 1993 on an area of 220km in Bundibugyo district, and the Sempaya name was drown from Kiswahili word scheme mbaya which is translated as the difficult side, owing to the challenges encountered during the construction of fort portal Bundibugyo Road long the ridges of Rwenzori Mountain ranges. The Sempaya hot springs exits as two springs, the male spring and female spring, found in two separate locations.
Formation of Sempaya hot spring
Scientifically, the hot springs were spirally formed by the appearance of georgermal heated underground water from earth’s layer which increases the hotness of the underground rocks. Hot springs are made by fissures spreading deep towards the exceptionally hot temperatures of the earth layer.
The female spring
The inner female spring is referred to as Nyasimbi by the local Bamaga tribe and it is believed to be a scared location of female gods, once the spring it is thrilling to steamy hot water boiling at approximately 103 degrees. Tourists have the chance of boiling eggs and cooking matooke in water, the female springs is invaluable to the local women who go their to offer sacrifices and prayers to appease their female god for fertility to those that are barren and those that are pregnant pray for easy birth.
The male spring
The springs are referred to as the mumbugu by the local Bamaga and it is believed to scared shrine for male gods, also they are said to have been the husband of Nyasimbe, besides the fascinating hot springs, a Uganda safari tour to Semliki national park has a lot to offer to the adventurer.
Other things to in Semliki national park
Game drives
Semliki has animals to see while on a Uganda safari tour and these include water bucks, elephants, warthogs, Uganda Kob, bush babies, white tailed mongoose and other Nocturnals are spotted during the night game drives.
Birding
Semliki national is one of the best birding areas in Uganda and birding is done at kirumia river, Sempaya, and ntandi. And some of the birds to see include white-crested hornbill, grant’s bluebill, orange -cheeked waxbill, yellow-throated nectar to mention but a few.
Cultural encounters
One will get a chance to the pygmy known as the Batwa who are the native of forest dwellers. And a tourist’s different things like their way of life like hunting for food, making fire locally, language and others.
Hiking and nature walks
Semliki has three main 3main hiking trails, red tailed monkey primate trail, Sempaya nature trail and these have different have different attractions like birds, primates like baboons, view of the hot springs many others.
How to get to the Semliki national park
The easy way to get to Semliki is by road and it is about 8 hours from Kampala, Mubende, Mubende, and Mityana to Fort Portal.
What to carry while hiking to Sempaya hot springs.
When going to hike the Sempaya hot spring, you should be well prepared for either rain and hot spring experience.
Hiking shoes that are comfortable, waterproof with good grip, because sometimes trails are muddy.
Light weight clothing since the springs are producing hot water so the area may be hot so carry clothes that will make you feel comfortable.
Sunscreen that will protect you against the heat from the sun
Backpack where to put water, snacks, sandals in case you want to put your legs in water.
The spiritual belief about Sempaya hot springs
The local people believe that both the Bintente and Nyansimbi hot springs have healing power and they are believed to have ancestors that can cure things like infertility in both gender men and women, skin diseases like those with swollen legs they believe that when they put them into that warm water the swelling will go, and the healing can be obtained in many ways like ritual bating of the warm water, offering sacrifices to the gods like giving in goats , chickens beer in order to enable gods work and protect you. There is also steaming in warm water to mention but a few.
Best time to visit Sempaya hot springs
Sempaya hot springs can be visited any time of the year but the best time is during the dry season in the months of December, January, February, June and July, because during these months the trails are less muddy so the park can easily be accessed and wildlife viewing will be easy.
Where to sleep while in Semliki national park
Semliki national park has all types of accommodation from budget-range and luxury and these include, Ntoronko game lodge, Bamaga Bandas campsite, Semliki safari lodge.
Visiting the Sempaya hot springs is one of the most exciting activity one should not miss out while on a Uganda safari tour because it gives great experience to visitors.
