Hot springs pulling crowds

TOURISM|HOT SPRINGS|UWA

While traveling to Semiliki National Park one is treated to the scenic views on the highway to Bundibugyo. 

The ground rises and drops suddenly. The lush green is punctuated with shimmering iron sheets - a reminder of the human and wildlife conflict. 

After one hour's drive, the van sighed with relief to have a break as we embarked at the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) headquarters.

"You are most welcome," a guide Harriet Nekesa ushers us into the forest. 

"But remember the new normal. Keep distance, wash your hands, and wear your mask. But the canteen is full of eggs, bananas, beers, and soft drinks you might enjoy while there."

Nature walkers dug in the wallets and purchased some and the walk began on a wooden lifted way from the swamp. There are lots of palm trees and creeping plants bathed in clouds of steam and mist.

Finally, we were at the female spring which left many a mouth agape with a surprise cloud after boiling eggs, potatoes, and bananas in 15 minutes.

"Take care and do not fall in the water," cautioned Nekesa. "The water will scald you. This female spring heats up to 100 degrees centigrade."

After shooting photos we continue to the male spring which is comparably calm and cool. The swampy area drops suddenly as a wooden trail connecting the geysers wades through a forest full of birds, butterflies, monkeys, mammals, and lizards.

"There are more than 250 bird species," confides Nekesa. "And some of the plants here are medicinal. We also have pygmy hippos and the Batwa tribe with their King. They could showcase their dance strokes for a fee."

True to her word I spotted the blue spotted kingfisher, honeyguide greenbul, yellow throated tinkerbird, Fraiser's ant-thrush, and several forest hornbills. 

The medicine in her herbal clinic includes libido booster, high Blood Pressure control, and stress relievers.

But trust the Toro ancestor's creativity and they had to spin a romantic oral story which sounds like classic science fiction from the two springs. According to Nekesa, it is a real life story.

"Women had gone to the well to fetch water when they got a stranger in the path. He had a hairy body but was staggering for lack of food. He was called Bitente. He had lost his geography while hunting wild game," narrated Nekesa. 

"He was assimilated into the tribe with time. Being such a good man the elders gave him a wife called Nyansimbi."

The couple lived so happily in the neighborhood and nothing could separate them. Not until one day Bitente again went missing. One week elapsed into a month and years later.

"What followed was the mysterious disappearance of Nyansimbi too," summed up Nekesa. 

"The elders with the powers to communicate with the powers above did so and discovered that the couple was still with them but transformed into hot springs."

The female one is the one spewing hot water and the male is more calm and composed.

The UWA warden Geoffrey Balyesima says numbers are not going to hit their usual more than 20, 000 in a year because of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The gate fees are sh15, 000 for adults and sh2, 500 for children as foreigners have to part with $35 but the resident foreigners pay $25.

"The domestic tourists who come here are often students but after the partial lifting of the Lockdown we have recorded more leisure guests before aero planes started bringing passengers from abroad," said Balyesima. 

"I have realised the citizens are interested in the folklore as they struggle to know the roots better." 

Some come with wines and spirits to have their kind of nature walk. At the UWA headquarters is a pub stocked with soft drinks and lagers. 

The menu of activities at Sempiya comprises a game drive, boat ride, primate walk, nature walk, community walk, bird watching, star gazing, butterflies, and hiking. 

During the festive season, this is an ideal place to picnic with the family. The air is fresh. 

The scenic views are any photographer's dream come true. Especially at this time when social media likes are generated by exclusive shots posted on your wall.

By now you must be wondering where these springs are found in the Albertine Rift Valley northwest of Mount Rwenzori. 

It is dotted with numerous palm trees unlike any part of Uganda. The mist is seen by residents three kilometers away from the site.

The Uganda Tourism Board CEO Lilly Ajarova says traffic of domestic tourists destined to attractions in the region's cluster has shot up as families drive there or use private transport.

"As the tourism industry recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic Lockdown," said Ajarova. "Ugandans are curious to know what is in their country to interest them. But we urge them to observe the Structural Operation Procedures (SOPs) as they go out."

Adding that, domestic tourists are keen to know their roots, awesome geographical features that they took for granted previously, and culture. 

Good enough Fort Portal is endowed with all classes of accommodation that range from sh20, 000-sh600, 000 per night. 

They serve continental and traditional cuisines when asked.