Kitagata Hot Springs is a good place to stop off and unwind. Mulago and Ekyomugabe (locally referred to as Mugabe), draw mammoth crowds. Here, people with a variety of health complaints come to soak in the springs, believing the natural waters are healing.
It is located in Sheema District and its a historical site dating back hundreds of years ago.
Kitagata hosts this natural geothermal hot springs, which attracts an eclectic (but select) group of locals along with the occasional tourists.The Mulago and Mugabe hot springs, called kitagata, which means warm water in the Runyankole language, lie side by side, separated by a single road. The most popular hot spring is Mulago, not just for its healing powers, but also because it has moderate temperature levels that are body-friendly. In contrast, the waters of Mugabe are steaming hot.
Mulago shares a name with Mulago National Referral Hospital in Uganda’s capital city, Kampala. Similar to the hospital, the pool welcomes many patients from different corners of the country. These hot springs are off the beaten track, and not many people know about them. Tourists are rare visitors because it is not advertised to hot springs lovers, but merely by word of mouth. It’s mostly those that want to visit hidden gems and locals who go there.
Am very sure that if improvements are made to Kitagata Hot Springs for example someone putting up accommodation or campgrounds, this place can be a treasured destination for any traveler seeking solitude in the beautiful outdoors.
You don’t need to book to visit. You can go and still partake in a soak in the geothermal baths for a small fee of 1000 ugx. It’s a worthwhile spot to visit if you’re in the area.
The rules remain: Clothing is optional. Therefore, people are allowed to skinny dip there. So if you’re squeamish about nudity, don’t go. Although you might see nude people on your visit, it is all about the bathing and the mineral-enriched healing waters in Kitagata. Nothing more. It isn’t a place to pick up a date.
It’s a sweet water gem, best saved for those looking for solitude, and a pristine place to unwind. A retreat to everyone visiting Bushenyi district, enroute to Lake Mburo National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mgahinga National park, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Semliki Valley National Park.