Mabira Rain Forest Uganda

Uganda’s Mabira Forest is one of the last remaining rain forests and biggest in central Uganda located in Buikwe District, between Lugazi and Jinja. Mabira is a rainforest area covering about 300 square kilo metres (about 30,000 hectares) in Uganda, located in Buikwe District, between Lugazi and Jinja. It has been protected as Mabira Forest Reserve since 1932.

The natural rain forest has continued to be preserved, protected and conserved in support of keeping Flora flourishing in Uganda since it was gazetted as a forest reserve in 1932.

Mabira forest has a massive biodiversity comprising of 315 bird species, 312 tree species, 218 species of butterflies, 97 species of moths, 40 species of small mammals including the red – tailed monkeys, vervets, grey-cheeked mangabeys and many nocturnal animals.

The beautiful green vegetation of Mabira Forest gives an impression to a traveler that the beautiful jungle is impenetrable but it is a go through when guided. Her amazing and refreshing cool breeze that permeates Mabira allows the nature lover to tap into the fresh oxygen that exudes from the leafy environment. An experience during a Uganda tour in Mabira forest is equally an unforgettable appreciation of nature and Uganda’s flora.

Tourist activities in Mabira rain Forest

Finding yourself nearly next or a step into the forest from the main entrance, the forest embraces activities you can get involved into to make your Mabira tour in Uganda a prestigious one. In brief, forest walks (Day and Night), Specialty bird watching, Mountain biking, zip lining, Environmental education (Study tours), forest camping, sightseeing, picnic trail, grass trail among others are activities you can zero to choice.

Forest hikes/Nature walk

Discover many types of trees in this forest with vast uses from local herbs and other purposes especially for the local natives. The herbs from tree stems, leaves and a vast lower cover work as that collect medicines to herbalists. Mabira forest is speculated to be having about 312 tree species some of which include the Warbughia, Mililia Exclesa, Cordia Millenii and the Ugandanesis. Their presence has provided jobs to herbalists and ecological and botany researchers. Therefore, taking a hiking tour in Uganda’s Mabira forest will expose you to a myriad of green tree species.

Birding in Mabira forest

Without most 315 birds that Uganda boasts of in this forest, it speaks of Uganda being a paradise for birds in general. The bird species in Mabira include the Blue Headed Crested Mornarc, the Black Bellied Seed Cracker, Cassin Hawk Eagle, the crested crane among others. You can move with cameras to take photos of the beautiful scenery with endless birds flying in the forests, and have the touch of their noise and wonderful echoes if you to stay around.

Butterfly watching

Butterfly watching is yet another activity to get acquainted to with over 218 butterfly species found in Mabira forest. With the presence of great temperatures to nurture all processes of butterfly formation in addition to the existing moth species and 23 mammal species too, you will come to believe Uganda is blessed with nature. Butterflies with amazing different colors will be seen around tree trunks, leaves flying all through.

Mangabey tracking in Mabira forest

This is one of those exclusive great primate trace in the forest. The support of existence of the Mangabey, a grey cheeked primate that is unique to Uganda and also known as the Lophocebus Ugandae brings forth many tourists and people that love discoveries. The mangabey is endemic to Uganda and so it’s highly preserved and can only be seen in Mabira forest.

Activities like degradation and poaching threaten nature a reason to why strict laws are set to secure the remaining parts of Mabira rain forest stay since it is home to immense biodiversity, including rare bird species, insects, and medicinal plants which are all useful to society, natives and then to the economy which reaps from continuous Uganda safaris to Mabira central forest reserve.

Mabira rain forest can be accessed form Kampala, Uganda’s capital along Jinja highway, only 45 minutes’ drive from the city Centre, and 42 minutes form the eastern city of Jinja.