Buranga Hot Springs

One of the most amazing attractions you will explore in Uganda is the hot springs and when the time comes to visit them, then think of the Buranga hot springs. These hot springs are found in Bundibugyo district (western Uganda) at the base of Bwamba Escarpment at an elevation of 1099 meters above sea level, near the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains (Mountains of the Moon).

There are so far 37 hot springs that derive geothermal energy from the deep faults of the East African Rift System, one of which is the Mumbuga spring (under the Buranga hot springs) and is a small permanent spouter and fountain. The geothermal activity of these Buranga hot springs is therefore linked to the tectonic activity of the rift, with the extremely hot water rising along the active faults of the earth crust. However, scientists have observed that after each earth quake, the hot springs are changing and are said to happen until the older springs disappear as new ones start.

Ecologically, these hot springs formed their own small ecosystem with verdant forest and wetlands around the area drawing several wildlife that visit the area to lick the salt ejecting from the earth surface and bird species due to the wetlands that surround the hot springs. Also, several endemic micro-organisms, two formerly known as strains of thermophilic Geobacillusbacteria.  

There are currently three group of magnificent hot springs in the area with each of them found at about 700 meters from each other and they include;

• Mumbuga hot springs

Mumbuga are referred as the female hot springs and there are many hot springs under this group within an area of 60×40 meters and deposit carbonates but they can only be accessed during the dry season. One of hot springs in this area stands at 1.5 meters tall and comprises of travertine cone with terraces. The underground water always forms a high fountain of 50 centimeters above the pool while emitting gases and boiling at temperatures reaching 98 Celsius degrees. The flow rate of the Mumbuga hot springs is approximately 6.5 liters per second, making it faster than the other hot springs. 

• Kagoro hot springs

The Kagoro hot springs are found in the southern most side of the area and boil at temperatures ranging from 60 to 91 Celsius degrees. These springs cover an area of 50×15 meters and are surrounded by a dense rain-forest, but build travertine cones of 1.5 meters high. The base of the largest travertine cones of the Kagoro hot springs are comprised of sulphur deposits and are so far the only ones among the Buranga hot springs.

• Nyansimbe hot springs

Also known as the male pool, Nyansimbe hot springs have developed a carbonate cone with crystal clear pool of hot water of temperatures reaching 86 Celsius degrees as well as a swamp surrounding them and can also be accessed in the dry season. The pool here has a diameter of 30 meters and depths of over 5 meters while its flow rate of about 15 liters per second.

Besides the Buranga hot springs, other popular hot springs such as Sempaya, Amoropii, Rwajimba, Kitagata and Nyansimbi can be visited by tourists during Uganda safaris. These sites are specifically known for the myths that surround them than their scientific formations.