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 are Nature Walks, Birding, Guided Hikes. It is the only Rainforest in central Uganda. It is also within easy reach from Kampala or Jinja.
Visitors find it to be both a place of tranquility and adventure. Mabira Forest, not be missed if your Safari with us takes you the Adventure Capital in East Africa, Jinja
We do not offer Day-Trips here but extend it to our Safari Clients ass an add-on to their Safari in Uganda
Mabira Rainforest is just a short distance from Kampala and equally so from Jinja. It is the perfect place to get in touch with nature in an African Rainforest in Central Uganda.
Mabira Rainforest is ideal for a refreshing nature walk or bike ride.
Birders can easily spend a half-day here or even a full day, breaking for lunch at the lovely Mabira Rainforest Lodge or lower price at Griffin Camp.
Mabira Rainforest has 200 kinds of species of trees. At times you come across patches of grasslands, and in the valleys of Mabira Rainforest, you will come across 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 mostly forest birds. With an extensive network of trails, Mabira Forest can easily be explored, especially accompanied by a guide. The mammals, the birds, plants and trees, and even the butterflies, medicinal plants that are found here in the rainforest of Mabira.
Mabira Forest is home to bush-pigs, blue duikers, red-tailed monkeys, 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:
It is the only Zip-Line above the tree-tops in East Africa, and you can do so in Mabira Forest at a most reasonable price.
Adrenaline pumping adventures up in the canopy of tranquil Mabira Rainforest. The equipment meets all safety standards and was brought in from the USA by a Peace Corps Volunteer who put the program together and trained Ugandans in safety as visitors zip-line above the tree-tops in the Rainforest.
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 East of Uganda, such as Jinja, is included in your safari itinerary.
Uganda Mangabey Monkey Trekking:
The Uganda Mangabey Monkey, a rare species of monkeys, only found in Mabira Rainforest and a few other locations in the country as well in a small area of bordering Tanzania.
There are three habituated groups inside of the Park, and they can easily be tracked with guides who were a part of the habituation process.
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 it.
Birding:
Mabira forest is home to 315 species of birds, including some rare ones like the Nahan’s francolin, Tit Hylia, Yellow and grey long bills, Purple-throated cuckoo shrikes, Illadopsises, Jameson’s wattle eyes.
You can spot 46% of Uganda’s forest birds in Mabira Rainforest. That is a lot 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.
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 that you use the resident guides that can 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, along with giant, ancient trees.
Mountain Biking:
The most well-maintained trails are also an excellent place for mountain bikers to blazed through the Forest. One can even venture beyond the forest into the communities.
Mountain Bikes can be rented at Griffin Falls camp, outside of the forest at a National Forestry Department facility and the best bikes can be rented from Nile River Explorers in Jinja.
We can also arrange for you a well-maintained mountain bike for you to traverse the forest for the day, enjoying the monkeys, birds, trees, and plants that you will find along your way.
If you like to include Top Things to Do and See in Mabira Forest in your safari – please let us know.
