Mabira Forest

Mabira central Forest reserve; this is Uganda’s largest surviving Natural forest that covers an area of 306 sq km in Mabira central forest reserve. The forest is a natural habitamt of 312 species of trees including the endangered Mililia Exclesa, the Cordia Millenii, warbhugia Ugandanese that has medicinal properties that is famed to cure about forty ailments and the Vurnerable Prunus Africana that cures prostate cancer and boosts the Human immune system.

The forest is home to 315 species of birds like the red headed blue bill, the tit  Hylia, the shining blue kingfisher, the black bellied seed cracker, the blue headed crested Monarc, Francolin, Nahan;s , the forest wood hoope, cassin Hawk Eagle, the purple throated cuckoo and some of these species can only be found in Mabira.

The other rare features to be seen here include; 218 butterfly species, 97 moth species, 23 small mammal species especially primates like the monkeys and the Griffin falls. Some of the major activities carried out from this reserve include; bird watching, environmental Education and research, primate watching, camping and picnics, butterfly identification, the forest as well as forest adventuring.

Tourism in Mabira Forest

Mabira Forest is one of the few surviving natural rainforests in Uganda. Mabira Forest Reserve was gazetted in 1932 and in 1996, government of Uganda established a substantial ecotourism development and community ecotourism in an effort to ensure it is well-protected.

Location

Mabira Forest Reserve, a natural tropical forest lies along the Kampala-Jinja highway within Buikwe District, Eastern Uganda. From Kampala to Mabira Forest, it is 1-2 hours’ drive depending on the traffic and about half an hour’s drive from Jinja city. It is a perfect stopover spot for visitors on Uganda safari along the Eastern circuit.

Mabira Forest occupies the land area that measures about 120sq.mi. This is largely dominated by a secondary forest and it has been in existence for over 100 years with less disturbance.

Floral and faunal species

At Mabira Forest Reserve, there are lots of floral and faunal species including 312 tree species & shrubs, 316 species of birds, 35 small mammal species, 97 species of moths, 219 butterfly species. The mammal species of visitor interest on guided Uganda safari in Mabira Forest include red-tailed monkeys, Uganda Mangabeys, bushbucks, duikers, squirrels, bush pigs, baboons, fruit bats, grey cheeked mangabeys, plus reptiles.

Birds of Mabira Forest

A total of about 316 bird species live in Mabira Forest. They include unique birds such as papyrus gonoleks, Nahan’s francolins, hooded vulture, black headed heron, reed cormorant, African harrier hawk, Ayres’s hawk eagle, yellow-billed kite, hadada ibis, white-spotted flufftail, ring-necked dove, helmeted guineafowl, red eyed dove, grey parrot, great blue turacos, blue breasted kingfishers, forest wood-hoopoe, Narina trogon, African palm swift.

Other birds of Mabira Forest Reserve include striped kingfishers, little swift, Klaas’s cuckoo, Diederik cuckoo, Eastern grey plantain-eaters, Angola swallow, white-headed saw-wing, lesser striped swallow, sand martin, yellow-billed barbet, double-toothed barbet, hairy-breasted barbet, white-browed robin chat, forest robin, fire-crested alethe, red-tailed greenbul, green-tailed bristle bill, Cameroon sombre greenbul, slender billed greenbul, honeyguide greenbul, African thrush, rufous-fly catcher thrush, grey-backed camaroptera, green crombec, African dusky flycatcher, pale flycatcher, black-throated apalis, Northern black flycatcher, grey capped warblers, red faced cisticola;

Green sunbird, olive bellied sunbird, white shouldered tit, scaly breasted, illadopsis, African blue-flycatchers, red-billed paradise flycatchers, Jameson wattle eye, chestnut wattle eye, brown throated wattle eye, black and white shrike flycatchers, olive bellied sunbird, coppery sunbird, fawn breasted waxbill, red head blue bill, village indigo bird, etc.

Top Activities to do in Mabira Forest Reserve

Mabira Forest is a fully developed destination, perfect for eco-tourism lovers. There are plenty of exciting experiences/activities to engage in while at Mabira Forest Reserve on a tour. The main activities of interest for tourists visiting Mabira include bird watching, nature/forest walks, cycling, zip lining, etc.

Monkey tracking/Uganda Mangabey tracking

There are many primate safari destinations in Uganda, and East Africa, but what is unique about Mabira Forest Reserve is that it is only spot for tourists to engage in a guided Uganda mangabey monkey tracking. Visiting Mabira Forest for mangabey tracking can be done at anytime of the year, and along the way, there is a chance to get up close with other primates such as vervet monkeys, baboons, red tailed monkeys.

Guided nature walks

Mabira Forest features some of the best forest walking trails that introduce nature lovers deep and around it to explore its hidden treasures. With the lead of an experienced local guide, expect to hit amazing trails such as the yellow trail 12kms, red trail 33kms, white trail and others. On a guided nature walk, you get to see lots of birds, flora, butterflies and more.

Mountain biking

For guests who love biking, then Mabira Forest has you sorted. Bikes are available for hire at Griffin Falls camp. Biking experience is enjoyable along the developed trails, offering a memorable adventure with higher chance for you to encounter birds and other species.

Birding

With over 316 bird species all residing in Mabira Forest, birding tour in this lush forest never disappoints. There are lots of forest bird dwellers to be spotted at Mabira and the likely birds to keep an eye on your birding expedition include the dusky long-tailed cuckoo, black and white casqued hornbill, African pied hornbill, Cassin’s hawk-eagle, African dwarf-kingfishers, grey parrot, Sabine’s spinetail, yellow spotted barbet, yellow throated tinkerbird, forest woodhoopoe, black shouldered nightjars, white spotted flufftail, hairy breasted barbet, blue throated rollers, African shrike throated and more.

Zip lining

Mabira is one of the few places in East Africa where you can go Zip-lining. The zip-line passes on top of trees guaranteeing you remarkable view of Mabira Forest canopy. The zip-line at Mabira was set up by a group of volunteers from the Peace Corps and a group of Ugandans were trained on how the equipment can be maintained in its better state. You can opt for the morning or afternoon zip-lining session.

Where to stay

The available accommodation choices at Mabira Forest include Griffin Falls Camp/Mabira Forest Camp, located at the edge of the Griffins Falls trail, 10kms from the Kampala-Jinja highway. Mabira Rainforest Lodge, this was opened in 2007 and it has 24 beds.