Activities to do during your visit to Mabira Forest: Mabira forest is a lush rainforest in Uganda that spans 306 square kilometres and is located in the Buikwe district. Mabira forest is a natural forest that was designated as a protected area in 1932. Prior to that, it was used to produce rubber, and certain areas were destroyed for coffee plantations, Uganda Safaris Tours.
Mabira forest is home to over 312 tree species, including ancient trees over 25 and 70 years old, 315 bird species, 219 butterfly species, 97 moth species, and 23 mammal species including baboons, grey cheeked mangabeys, blue duikers, fruit bats, bush pigs, tree hyrax, red tailed monkeys, squirrels, bushbucks, and reptiles, among others.
Because it is a rainforest, Mabira forest serves as a water catchment region for several streams and water bodies, including the River Ssezibwa, the River Nile , and Lake Kyoga.
Activities to do during your visit to Mabira Forest.
Guided Nature Walk
Mabira woodland is an excellent location for a guided nature walk to enjoy nature. Guided walks in Mabira forest are available at any time of day, either in the morning or in the evening, with a trained guide who will provide facts about Mabira forest, tree flora in the forest, and assist you in spotting various wildlife species. Mabira woodland is home to around 312 tree species, some of which may be seen on a nature/forest walk, such as Cordia millenii and Warbughia, with some utilised as medical herbs by the local community to heal various maladies and others used for study.
During the Mabira forest walk, you will walk along a 68-kilometer well-maintained track that is separated into many trails, including the red trail, which is 33 kilometres long, the yellow trail, which is 12 kilometres long, and the white trail, which is 5 kilometres long. The guided nature walk in Mabira forest lasts around 2 to 3 hours and allows you to see many old tree species, flora, animals, and bird species, as well as listen to the sounds of the birds and the forest.
Mabira Forest is the only safari area in East Africa that offers zip line to guests. Zip line in Mabira woodland takes around 4 hours and comprises two sessions: one in the morning at 8 a.m. and one in the afternoon at 1 p.m.
Zip line is an exciting activity in Mabira forest that travels across River Musamya and provides amazing views of the forest, gryphon falls, many bird species, grey checked mangabeys, red tailed monkeys, squirrels, and other wildlife. Zip line is an outstanding sport for daring guests that will provide you with magnificent experiences throughout your Uganda safari.
Mangabey Trekking
The grey cheeked mangabey is a rare and distinctive primate species found in the Mabira forest and other regions of Uganda. Mabira Forest is Uganda’s sole place that provides mangabey trekking and is home to three habituated grey cheeked mangabey families that are available for daily trekking. Grey cheeked mangabeys, also known as Lophocebus Ugandae, are unique to Uganda and one of the most prominent attractions in Mabira forest.
Grey cheeked mangabey walking in Mabira forest is an exciting activity, however mangabey can be seen depending on three factors: the time of day you are trekking, the season, and the availability of food, as they tend to wander from one location to another in search of food. You should not be concerned about not seeing the grey cheeked mangabey and other primates such as red tailed monkeys and numerous bird species when hiking with the support of trackers and guides, Activities to do during your visit to Mabira Forest.
Bird Watching
Mabira woodland is home to over 315 bird species, making it one of Uganda’s greatest birding locations. Birders will be able to see a variety of bird species when bird watching in Mabira forest without having to venture deep into the forest. Bird viewing at Mabira woodland may be done on a three-kilometer-long grassland route that passes past fruiting trees that attract bird species.
Yellow throated tinker bird, blue headed crested monarch, purple throated cuckoo, black bellied seed cracker, African pied hornbill, yellow long bill, African shrike flycatcher, blue throated roller, grey parrot, hairy breasted barbet, Nathan’s francolin, Cassin’s hawk-eagle, dusky long tailed cuckoo, African dwarf kingfisher, Black and White Casqued Hornbill among others.
Butterfly Tracking
Mabira woodland is home to 218 butterfly species and 97 moths. During butterfly identification in Mabira forest, you will travel several pathways in the forest, such as those that lead to blossoming plants, which attract numerous butterflies. Butterfly identification may be done at Mabira forest with a guide who can assist you in recognising the gorgeous and colourful butterfly species, making your safari more pleasurable.
Biking/Cycling
Mabira forest provides mountain bike activities in which guests may ride within Mabira forest with professional guides following different forest paths, visiting small settlements around the forest, and so on. Bikes for the activity may be rented at Griffin Falls Camp or outside of Mabira Forest. Mountain riding in Mabira forest provides excellent views of monkeys, tree species, vegetation, and bird species, among others, providing distinctive and unforgettable experiences on your Uganda safari.
Accessing Mabira Forest in Uganda.
Mabira forest in Uganda is located in Buikwe district, after Najjembe town, 54 kilometres from Kampala and 20 kilometres from Jinja. You will journey to Mabira forest from Kampala through the Kampala- Jinja route, which takes approximately an hour.