Sempaya Hot Springs

The Sempaya Hot Springs in Semuliki National Park represent one of Uganda's most extraordinary natural phenomena. Located in the Bundibugyo District near the Democratic Republic of Congo border, these geothermal springs boil at temperatures exceeding 103°C (217°F), creating dramatic displays of steam and bubbling water that erupt through the dense lowland tropical rainforest. The name "Sempaya" derives from a Kiswahili phrase meaning "difficult side," commemorating the challenging terrain encountered during road construction in this remote area.

The springs consist of two distinct features known locally as the "male" (Biteete) and "female" (Nyansimbi) springs, each with unique characteristics and deep cultural significance to the indigenous Bamaga clan. The female spring gushes boiling water up to two meters high in spectacular eruptions, while the male spring presents as a broader, calmer circular pool approximately 12 meters wide, characterized by gentle steaming and bubbling. These geothermal features result from the park's location in the western arm of the Albertine Rift Valley, where tectonic activity creates underground heat that manifests in these surface springs.

Visiting the Sempaya Hot Springs involves a guided walk through East Africa's only true lowland tropical rainforest—an eastward extension of the vast Congo Basin. The approximately one-hour trek takes you through dense vegetation where you'll encounter various primates including red-tail monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and green jet monkeys. Over 441 bird species inhabit this ancient forest, including 35 Guinea-Congo forest specialists found nowhere else in East Africa. The combination of geological wonder, pristine rainforest, and rich cultural heritage makes this one of Uganda's most unique and memorable experiences.