Kitagata Hot Springs
Kitagata hot springs are natural hot springs located in western Uganda, in the Shema district along the Ishaka-Kagando highway. These springs are believed to possess healing powers and are found in a village called Kitagata. In ancient times, the hot springs were frequented by the Ankole king (Omugabe), one of the historical kings of Ankole. Some of these springs are currently named Ekyomugabe, while others are called Mulago, named after Uganda’s largest referral hospital.
In the section called Mulago, one often encounters semi-naked individuals sitting in the springs, as these waters are thought to have healing properties. The warm waters reach temperatures of up to 80 degrees.
During your visit to the springs, you may also see several people enjoying massages with the warm waters. The area surrounding the hot springs is lush with green vegetation. During the rainy season, the hot springs are often flooded by heavy rains and water from the surrounding swamps and the Ngaromwenda River.
Some locals believe that drinking water from these hot springs is also a natural remedy that can treat various ailments. While at Kitagata hot springs, there is another section where locals prepare eggs, porridge (obushera), tea, and matooke, among other meals, since the water’s boiling point is quite high. The boiling point of these hot springs exceeds 80 degrees. It serves as a local sauna and steam bath for the community.
Kitagata hot springs contain several minerals, including potassium, chloride, calcium phosphate, magnesium chloride, lithium sulfate, and others. Some of these minerals are used in medicine production. These hot springs are conveniently located near various destinations that travelers can explore on their safaris in Uganda. Some of these destinations include:
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
This is the smallest park in Uganda, located in southwestern Uganda at the border with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is home to diverse wildlife, including gorillas, golden monkeys, forest elephants, colobus monkeys, and more. While in this park, you can encounter several Virunga ranges, such as Sabyinyo, Mgahinga, and Muhavura. Activities available in this park include gorilla trekking, golden monkey trekking, hiking the Virunga volcanoes, birding, nature walks, and more.
Kibale National Park
Kibale National Park is situated in western Uganda, within the Kabarole and Kamwenge districts. It is a fantastic destination for travelers seeking to encounter various chimpanzee species. While in Kibale National Park, you can participate in activities like chimpanzee trekking, chimpanzee habituation, community tours, and more.
For chimpanzee trekking and habituation, you need to obtain a chimpanzee trekking permit, a legal document issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The cost of the permit is 250 USD for foreign non-residents, 200 USD for foreign residents, and 180000 UGX for East African residents. It is recommended to book your permit in advance to ensure availability during your safari.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda, bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is one of the largest protected areas for mountain gorillas in the world. The park boasts the highest population of mountain gorillas in Uganda, with about 20 habituated gorilla families present in all sectors of the park. Sectors within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include Rushaga, Nkuringo, Buhoma, and Ruhija.
To participate in gorilla trekking, you must have a gorilla trekking permit. The cost of the gorilla trekking permit is 800 USD for foreign non-residents, 700 for foreign residents, 500 USD for the rest of Africa, and 300000 UGX for East African residents. To acquire your gorilla trekking permit, it is advisable to use reliable and licensed tour operators who can assist in obtaining these permits from the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park is another destination for travelers visiting Kitagata hot springs. It is situated in western Uganda along the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. This park is the second-largest and most popular national park in Uganda. It was named after Queen Elizabeth II, who visited the park in 1952. It is home to a variety of wildlife, including lions, leopards, buffaloes, hippos, elephants, warthogs, kobs, and more. In the park, visitors can engage in several activities such as game drives, nature walks, experiential activities, boat cruises, chimpanzee trekking, and many others.
Murchison Falls National Park
Murchison Falls is the largest protected area and most popular national park in Uganda, located in northwestern Uganda. It is named after the Murchison Falls within the park. Murchison Falls are considered the world’s strongest falls. While in this park, you can partake in activities such as game drives, nature walks, chimpanzee trekking, boat cruises, hiking to the top of the falls, and various other activities. and many other activities.
