Mabira Forest reserve is Uganda’s largest surviving Natural Forest that covers an area of 306 sq km in Mabira central forest reserve. It is located in Buikwe District, along the Kampala – Jinja highway near Mukono district in eastern Uganda. The reserve is 54km from kampala city and 26km from jinja town. From Kampala to Mabira Forest, it takes about 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. It has been protected as Mabira Forest Reserve since 1932. The forest is a natural habitat of 312 species of trees including the endangered Mililia Exclesa, the Cordia Millenii, warbhugia Ugandanese that has medicinal properties and is renowned to cure about forty diseases and the Vulnerable 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.
Activities to do in Mabira forest reserve
Monkey 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 black and white colobus monkeys.
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 tread 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 pleasurable along the developed trails, offering a memorable adventure with higher chance for you to encounter birds and other species.
With over 316 bird species all residing in Mabira Forest, birding tour in this lush forest never disappoints. There are lots of forest bird inhabitants 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 places in Uganda to do 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.
How to get to Mabira Forest
It Mabira forest reserve is located in Buikwe District, along the Kampala – Jinja highway near Mukono district in eastern Uganda. The reserve is 54km from Kampala city and 26km from jinja town. From Kampala Uganda’s capital city, it’s about 54 km which takes around 1-2 hours depending on traffic. The main access point is through Najjembe Trading Centre, close to Lugazi town.