The Mabira Forest is a rainforest area covering about 300 square kilometres in eastern Uganda, located in three districts that is Buikwe, Lugazi and Mukono. It has been protected as Mabira Forest Reserve since 1932 to conserve a number of endangered species like the primates.
The Forest Reserve is one of Uganda’s largest surviving Natural Forests covering an area of 300 sq km. Mabira has Natural Habitat of 312 species of trees, home of 315 species of Birds, 218 Butterfly Species, 97 Moth Species, 23 Small Mammal Species, Forest activities include: Forest walks with over 68 km of well-developed trail length, Mountain Biking, Bird Watching, Environmental Education and Research, Camping and Picnics, Primate Watching, Butterfly Identification and general Forest Exploration.
Mabira Central Forest Reserve is located on the main Kampala – Jinja Highway in Mukono District. It is 54 km from the City Centre of Kampala and 26 km from Jinja Town. The Eco – Tourism Site is about half a kilometer from the road head along a short dirt road off the Najjembe trading center. The Forest is therefore accessible by all vehicles throughout the year.
Experience nature without any destruction While on foot enjoy the sights and sounds of a newly budding civilization behind at the road.
its beauty abounds in the cover of the trees. Mabira forest has 200 different tree species, patches of grassland, various papyrus swamps, simple beautiful streams and a peaceful waterfall. In the 1960s a lot of trees were cut down for wood to make charcoal. Later in the 1980s, about a 1/4 of the forest was cut down and turned into farmland. If this forest were a person, it would simply be referred to as a survivor.
Because it’s ecological value several Wildlife, birds, plants trees, and humans all have important use of this forest. Humans if they dare, come here to experience nature and get away from the hustle and bustle of civilization.
With over 300 forest bird species, some of the birds you will see include: Blue-throated Roller, African Dwarf-kingfisher, White-bellied Kingfisher, African Pied Fire-crested Alethe, Red-capped Robin-Chat, the Speckle-breasted, Yellow-crested, Brown-eared, Grey and the Buff-spotted Woodpeckers, Cassin’s Honeyguide, Red-tailed Bristlebil, Little Greenbul, Honeyguide Greenbul, Sooty Boubou, Grey-green Bush-shrike, Nahan’s Francolin, Cassin’s Hawk-eagle, White-spotted Flufftail, Afep Pigeon Grey Parrot, Hornbill, Jameson’s and Chestnut Wattle-eyes and the Forest Robin.
For a greater experience enjoy Africa’s rainforest to for white water rafting adventure and view the point that divide Baganda and Basoga tribes.
