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Mabira Forest is one of the few dense natural tropical rainforests in Uganda and East Africa. It is a tropical rainforest between the two main cities of Uganda, Kampala and Jinja, and it is located in the Buikwe District. Mabira is an old natural forest gazetted in the 1900s, boasting of its biodiversity.
Mabira Forest covers over 306 sq. km and is reachable along the Kampala-Jinja highway. Driving from Jinja city to Mabira on a typical journey takes about half an hour, and from Kampala, it is about 54 km away. Mabira was officially gazetted as a forest reserve in 1932.
Mabira Forest supports many floral species, including trees dating back 70 and 25 years. This forest remains compact as most parts have been cleared for sugar cane growing. Within the remaining rainforest cover of Mabira, there are 219 species of butterflies, 316 bird species, 97 moth species, 36 mammal species and more.
Mabira Forest faunal species include red-tailed monkeys, bushbucks, bush babies, grey-cheeked mangabeys, squirrels, bush pigs, blue duikers, and others. There are several reptiles, including snakes.
Mabira Central Forest Reserve supports many birds and boasts over 316 species of birds. The numerous birds to find in Mabira include the blue-headed crested monarch, blue kingfishers, francolins, Cassin hawk eagles, forest wood hoopoe, purple throated cuckoos, white-browed robin chat, red-faced cisticolas, red-tailed greenbul, yellow billed barbet, Eastern grey plantains, fire-crested alethe, pale flycatchers, Northern black flycatchers, slender-billed greenbul, Cameroon sombre greenbul, Jameson wattle eye, grey-backed carmoroptera, olive bellied sunbird, dusky flycatchers, fawn breasted waxbill, and others.
Birding: Birding in Uganda can be conducted anywhere, but Mabira Forest offers excellent bird encounters. The diverse birds to identify here include the black-headed herons, papyrus gonoleks, hooded vultures, African palm swift, ring-necked dove, hadada ibis, red-eyed doe, Narina trogon, grey parrot,
Diederik cuckoos, Klaas’s cuckoos, striped kingfishers, white-browed robin chat, pale flycatchers, African blue flycatchers, double-toothed barbet, Angola swallows, black-throated apalis, Northern black flycatchers, and more.
Monkey/grey-cheeked mangabey tracking: Mangabey tracking is a unique experience in Uganda, and Mabira Forest is the place worth visiting to enjoy this primate adventure. The trek involves searching for the grey-cheeked mangabey troop habituated in this forest. Besides encountering mangabeys, you will encounter other primates, including red-tailed, vervet, and olive baboons.
Nature walks: Nature/forest walks in Mabira Forest take you through some of the finest trail networks. The 2-3 hours guided walk involves searching for different faunal and floral species. Some of the plant species (Warbhugia Ugandenesis) used by Prof. Patrick Ogwang for making Covidex also exist in this forest. The trails to explore in this natural forest include the white, red and yellow. Other areas of interest for eco-tourism lovers to explore during a guided nature walk include the Griffin Falls camp, and hiking through this area also allows you to incorporate zip lining into your nature walking experience.
Ziplining: Mabira also offers unmatched zip-lining experiences. This allows visitors to enjoy the incredible forest canopy view and other species, including monkeys, birds, and more.
Mountain biking: If you don’t want to go nature walking, you can opt for mountain biking, which takes you through incredible trails. The day biking tour in this area allows you to watch the different species, such as birds and primates, and meet the residents.
Camping at the Eco-tourism Centre and Griffin Falls and picnicking should be must-do experiences on Uganda safaris in Mabira Forest.
Where to stay on the Mabira Forest tour
The available accommodation options in and around Mabira Forest include Mabira Eco-tourism Center, Griffin Falls Camp, Rainforest Lodge and camping.
The accessibility of Mabira Forest is quite good. It is located about 56 kilometres east of Kampala. The forest is easily accessible by road, with well-maintained highways leading up to it. It takes about an hour and a half to drive to Mabira Forest from Kampala. There are also public transport options available, such as buses and taxis. Once you arrive at the forest, there are walking trails and guided tours available to explore the natural beauty of this lush forest.
Location: Plot 124, Kikumbi
P.O Box 100667, Kampala
+256759033541
+447 572778124
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