The Top Things to Do and See in Mabira Forest
Mabira Rainforest – Just 45 minutes from Kampala – Perfect Add-On to your Safari
The Top Things to Do and See in Mabira Forest: Mabira Rainforest is just a short distance from Kampala or Jinja, and it is the perfect and only Rainforest in Central Uganda. Mabira Rainforest is a must-visit place between Kampala and Jinja.
Mabira Rainforest is ideal for a refreshing nature walk or bike ride. You can get that wilderness feel just 45 minutes from Kampala. Birders can easily spend an entire day taking a lunch break at the Rainforest Lodge.
Mabira Rainforest has 200 kinds of species of trees. At times you come across patches of grasslands. In the valleys of the Mabira Rainforest, you will see various papyrus swamps. There are streams and a peaceful waterfall.
Mabira Forest’s accessibility from Kampala makes it the perfect place for a day in an African Rainforest. When it comes to birding, this small Forest is home to more than 300 species of forest birds. Mabira Forest can easily be explored with an extensive network of trails, especially accompanied by a guide. The mammals, the birds, plants and trees, and even the butterflies, medicinal plants found here in the Rainforest of Mabira.
Mabira Forest is home to bush pigs, blue duikers, red-tailed monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys ( a smaller species of mangabeys has been discovered here). There is also the occasional leopard you will most likely not see here.
When it comes to birding, There are 315 Bird Species found here. Species such as the Nathan’s Francolin, Cassin’s Hawk-eagle, White-spotted Flufftail, Afep Pigeon, Grey Parrot, Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo, Black-shouldered Nightjar, Sabine’s Spinetail, Cassin’s Spinetail, Blue-throated Roller, African Dwarf-kingfisher, White-bellied Kingfisher, Forest Woodhoopoe, African Pied Hornbill, Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, Speckled Tinkerbird, Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Yellow-billed Barbet, Green-breasted Pitta, African Shrike-flycatcher to name a few.
Here are the Top Things to Do and See in Mabira Forest
Ziplining in Mabira Forest:
This is one of the few places where you can zipline in Uganda. In the opinion of many tourists, it is the best place for ziplining anywhere in Uganda.
The Zipline was the idea of a US Peace Corps volunteer from Washington State, and he brought the equipment from the US to Uganda.
He put together the Zipline and a team of Ugandans trained to maintain the equipment.
The activity can be done from 8 am to noon and from 1 pm to 6 pm. We can include it in your safari if a trip to the East of Uganda, such as Jinja, is included in your safari itinerary.
Uganda Mangabey Monkey Trekking:
The Uganda Mangabey Monkey is a rare species of monkey.
It is primarily found in Mabira Rainforest and a few other locations in the country in a small area bordering Tanzania.
There are three habituated groups inside the Mabira Forest. Tracking them can be arranged and scheduled with Forest Rangers. The guides and rangers were part of the habituation process, making them used to humans.
You will see other monkeys here, like the red-tailed monkeys, birds, butterflies, flowering plants, and ancient trees that have been here for centuries.
The Uganda Mangabey was recently identified as a unique species. The Forest is a perfect off-of-the-beaten path spot for tracking them.
Birding in Mabira Rainforest
Mabira forest is home to 315 species of birds, including rare ones like the Nahan’s francolin, Tit Hylia, Yellow and grey long bills, Purple-throated cuckoo shrikes, Illadopsises, and Jameson’s wattle eyes.
You can spot 46% of Uganda’s forest birds in Mabira Rainforest, more than any other forest in Uganda.
The remarkable thing about Birding in Mabira Forest is that you do not have a large area to cover on foot, meaning that the birds of Mabira Forest are concentrated in a relatively small area.
During one day, you will be able to identify a wide variety of bird species in this small Forest.
Nature Walks:
You can go on Nature Walks without guides here, however, for the best experience in the Forest. We recommend using the resident principles to give you the best forest experience.
Forest walks for any fitness level can be done here, including children on a family safari with us, from a long and adventurous trek into the backcountry to a gentle meandering stroll through our well-maintained trails.
It’s difficult not to run into one of the three species of monkeys native to the Forest.
You will also see many birds and butterflies and giant, ancient trees.
Mountain Biking:
The most well-maintained trails are also an excellent place for mountain bikers to blaze through the Forest. One can even venture beyond the Forest into the communities.
Mountain Bikes can be rented at a National Forestry Department facility at Griffin Falls camp, outside the Forest. The best bikes can be rented from Nile River Explorers in Jinja.
We can also arrange for you a well-maintained mountain bike to traverse the Forest for the day, enjoying the monkeys, birds, trees, and plants you will find along your way.
Please let us know if you like to include Top Things to Do and See in Mabira Forest in your safari. Lodging is available at the upmarket Rainforest Lodge or the budget Griffin Camp.
