Kibiro hot springs Uganda

Kibiro Hot Springs Uganda are located in kibiro fishing village which is situated on the southern shores of Lake Albert in the western part of Uganda. Kibiro hot springs and Salt gardens are situated about 35 kilometers by road north of Hoima town in Hoima district, in Kigorobya sub-county to be specific. Kibiro sits at the base of the western rift valley with the escarpment raised to about 100m. Economic activities in this area are fishing on Lake Albert and slat mining at Kibiro salt gardens which is adjacent to the hot springs. There are many salt gardens and salt mining is done by traditional methods.

The location of the hot springs requires you to move on a steep footpath down the escarpment which is also an awesome experience to get there. At Kibiro hot springs, you will find water that continuously boils up to 100% gushing out. The place attracts a lot of people because they believe that this water heals various diseases. As the hot water comes out of the ground, it forms bubbles and you can place here bananas, Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, cassava and fresh eggs and the will boil until they are ready for eating in just a few minutes. Because this water comes out of a salty rock, it is salty as well. From the hot springs, it meanders in a stream that leads it into Lake Albert. It is so absurd that some animals enter this water from the springs thinking that it has the same temperatures like Lake Albert and they end up dying there.

As the water from the springs flows through the areas where salt mining is done, it keeps the place moist. The salt miners sprinkle dry soil on the moist soil and later on it dries up and the salt is ready for picking though with salt. The next process is to pick it and put it in big filters which are placed on big buckets. They thereafter pour water in the salty soil on the filter too allow it go through the filter into the bucket. The salt solution is heated until only salt crystals are got.

Beliefs and myths about Kibiro hot springs Uganda

Once you arrive at the hot springs, you will meet a local guide who will take you around the place to explain the beliefs and myths that the local people have about the hot springs. Some of the beliefs and myths are that;

The water heals measles, scabies, fresh wounds, boils and other skin rushes and diesess
The water has supernatural powers that drive away bad spirits and demons from the possessed people
One has to bath in the water when naked
Bathing is done before 07:00pm because it is believed that after that time, spirits that own the hot springs are there if you stay there beyond that time, you may anger the spirits.

Minerals in the water of Kibiro hot springs

There are a number of minerals and chemicals in this hot spring water and they are used in making medicine. They include potassium chloride, sodium chloride, calcium sulphate, calcium phosphate, , magnesium chloride and lithium sulphate among others. These components could be the reason why the water heals the skin diseases and rush.

What to carry when visiting the hot springs

Since this place has a windy and hot climate with yearly temperatures ranging from 22 degrees Celsius to 29 degrees Celsius, you are advised to wear light clothes, carry enough drinking water and snacks and strong closed shoes or hiking boots.

Great Adventure Safariscan arrange a visit to Kibiro hot springs and can be included on your Uganda safari that includes Murchison falls National park and other parks in the western region such as Kibale National Park.