Days trips from Kampala – Mabira Forest
The Wonders of Mabira Forest, Jinja, Uganda
If you’ve ever visited Uganda, you’ll know that it’s a place of immense beauty and splendour. This is partly due to the remarkable Mabira Forest.
The Disappearing Forest
For those who are visiting Kampala city for a few days and would like to go somewhere for a day trip, Mabira Forest might be your calling. The remarkable Mabira Forest is a 300 square kilometre tropical rainforest located in Eastern Uganda. (Though this figure may not be accurate as every day the forest is being cleared for farming. It has been referred to as “The disappearing Forest” and we can vouch for this. Every time we drive past the forest, it seems to be getting smaller and smaller). Mabira Forest has been protected since 1932 and it is home to many endangered species referred to as the Old World Monkey only found in Uganda.
The Old World Monkeys at Mabira Forest
Personally, we have a story about these Old World Monkeys. The Mabira Forest is located on the Kampala-Jinja Highway. This road cuts directly through the Mabira Forest, which encampasses you as you drive through it. We knew that every time we drove along the Mabira Forest Patch, the Old World Monkeys would drop by for food (bananas etc). However, on one instance, you may not believe us, but the Old World Monkeys formed a horizontal line right across the path in an attempt to prevent us from driving through. This was the most ingenious thing we had ever seen or will ever see. As soon as they were given the bananas, they disappeared into the trees allowing us to carry on with our journey. This was atleast 25 years ago and we are not sure if the Old World Monkeys still pop by for bananas, but we are sure this would be an unforgettable experience for you if it happens.
Getting there
The Mabira Forest is accessible from the Kampala-Jinja highway and it may take about 2 hours to get there with usual traffic. However, should you get stuck in traffic, then it may take more than 4 hours. So be sure to wake up very early and be on your way.
At Mabira Forest
Rainforests are an important part of the eco-system of this planet. They provide a habitat for up to 50% of the world’s indigenous species and are characterized by high rainfall. Because Mabira Forest is such a thick forest, very little sunlight reaches the forest floor. This keeps the growth of plants
restricted, making it easier to walk around in. However, we would not suggest that the forest is an easy walk. There is lots of uphill and downhill walking required, with strong roots growing above the ground. There are also several insects such as red ants and other bugs, so we would suggest that you wear insect repellent or longer but light clothing to keep you protected. It is fine to wear normal trainers on a sunny day, however, you should carry a pair of gum boots just in case it rains heavily before your visit. It can get quite muddy.
Top things to do in Mabira Forest
There are several walking trails located in Mabira Forest and you can find more information about these from the Mabira Forest Visitors Center. You could also probably hire a guide to walk you around the trails and you can find out more about this from the center. The forest center is on the edge of Najjembe village approximately 500m north of the main road. Coming from Kampala, it is signposted to your left just before you reach the roadside market at Najjembe. A short walk or drive down this murrum road will bring you to the forest center where parking is available and the Visitors center.
Here are some of the trails we have come across from the Center:
- Picnics
Picnic Trail
Leading from the picnic site, this short 15 – 20 minute self guided trail journeys into the forest meandering through regenerating forest along the valley of one of Mabira’s many forest streams.
It is ideal for children and visitors on a tight time schedule.
2. Bird Watching
Mabira forest is home to 315 species of birds such as Nahan’s francolin, Tit Hylia, Yellow and grey longbills, Purple-throated cuckoo shrikes, Illadopsises, Jameson’s wattle eyes.
You can spot 46% of Uganda’s forest birds in Mabira Rainforest which means you can spot several species of birds within a short space and time.
Grassland Trail
Keen bird watchers will enjoy the Grassland Trail loop which offers good views into the broken canopy which, together with an abundance of fruiting trees, make sightings of large numbers of forest birds a real possibility.
It is a 3km trail which can take anywhere between 1 and 3 hours depending on bird sightings. It is well marked so visitors can walk alone or with a guide who will help interpretate the sights and sounds of the forest. The trail travels through regenerating secondary forest flanking the sides of the Najjembe stream valley. It is possible to link with other trails to extend your walk.
The Fig Junction Trail
Another trail through thick primary forest. The main feature of this trail is an impressive fig tree junction which provides an excellent bird watching area. Watch out for the Black Billed Turaco, Yellow Billed Barbet or Dusky Long Tailed Cuckoo. This trail takes approximately 2 to 3 hours from the forest center.
Buwoola Pond
Top afternoon birding spot in Mabira Forest. White Spotted Flufftail, Sooty Boubou, Shinning Blue Kingfisher, and Jamesons Wattle Eye can potentially be spotted here. Take a guide from the interpretation centre.
3. Monkey Spotting
The Radio Hill Trial Network
For visitors wanting a more ‘jungle like’ experience and views over the forest canopy a number of trail circuits link to Radio Hill where a steep climb is rewarded by panoramic view north over the forest reserve.
The Primary forest trails are across the main road from the forest center. Visitors enter a cool tropical shadowdy environment characterised by gurgling forest streams, giant tree trunks , twisted stems of strangler figs and the chattering of tribes of monkeys high above in the forest canopy.
This is intact tropical forest and rich in plant and animal life. Visitors will enjoy walking in this cool environment and wonder at the amazing natural formations in this artists paradise.
All walks in the primary forest must be led by a trained guide. They will chose a trial to suit your time schedule and fitness level. All walks are on looped circuits with resting points.
The Market Loop
This trail links two impressive fig trees and is a common area for monkeys which feed on the fruit. You may meet Red Tailed monkeys or Black and Grey Cheeked Mangabeys which often raid people’s gardens on the forest boundaries. The market loop takes approximately one hour from the Forest Center.
4. Butterfly viewing
Butterfly Viewing Trail
This trail is much more open and sunny. It is characterised by many flowering plants such as Lantana Camara, whose pink and yellow flowers attract clouds of butterflies. Birds such as White Throated Bee Eaters and Pied Kingfishers enjoy this forest edge environment. This trail takes approximately 2 hours from the forest center.
The River Mabugwe Loop
This trail leads through intact rainforest along the path of the River Mabugwe which is one of the permanent rivers in Mabira Forest. A huge strangler fig is a prominent feature on the trail and the trail opens up in places to provide excellent sites for butterfly and bird viewing. This trail takes approximately 2 hours from the forest center.
5. Nature Walks
Gangu Ridge Trail
This is the longest trail and leads into shaded thick forest far away from the main highway. It takes approximately 3 to 4 hours and involves a trek through primary forest across three valleys including the Gangu valley. The trail has two resting points from which you can view birds, forest primates or you may spot signs of the elusive bush pig. This trail links to the Butterfly loop and Radio Hill Circuit.
Radio Hill Loop Circuit
A trip straight to the viewpoint at the top the radio tower on Radio Hill will take approximately 45 minutes. It is well worth the climb to witness a marvellous panoramic view over the forest, from here you can start to appreciate the sheer scale of the forest which is the largest in Central Uganda.
Macaranga Loop Trail
This trail is characterised by the Macaranga species of trees with their amazing thorny stems. Discover how these trees protect themselves against forest predators. This trail takes approximately 1½ hours from the forest center.
6. Mountain Biking
The Mabira forest walking trails are also great for biking. You should ask for more information about this at the visitors center.
Mountain Bikes can be rented at Griffin Falls camp, outside of the forest at a National Forestry Department facility and you can also rent bikes from Nile River Explorers in Jinja if you’re coming from there.
Ofcourse, you are always welcome to carry your own.
7. Zip Lining
If you’re an adrenaline fan, you can also opt to go for Zip-Lining. The Super Skyway Zip line is the only Zip-Line above the tree-tops in East Africa.
The activity can be done from 8 am – 12 noon and from 1 pm – 6pm. Ask for more information at the visitors center.
8. Weekend getaway and camping
The Mabira Forest is also great for getting away from Kampala city for the weekend. You can choose to either stay at a lodge or camp.
Accomodation:
a) You can choose to stay at the Mabira Forest Lodge that features 15 high end cottages with a restaurant, gym and swimming pool.
b) There are also bandas and campsite where you can choose to pitch your own tent. For more information, contact Mabira Forest Ecotourism Centre. P.O. Box 142 Lugazi. Tel 0712 487173, 0712 955671, 0712 920515.
You can choose a trail and hire a guide. Depending on how good your guide is, you can expect to be shown a number of medicinal plants, birds and snakes that are indigenous to the Mabira Forest.
You’ll find the forest to be considerably dark, with just a few glistening streams of sunlight beating through from above. It’s also surprisingly quiet, depending on what time of day and year you visit.
The afternoons are fairly quiet when it comes to birdlife, so opt for mornings or evenings. Be sure to keep your eyes open for the strangling fig tree that lives purely off its host until it completely takes it over.
After your forest walk, you will probably need to eat. Good food can be found in the nearby town of Jinja, even for those with dietary needs or preferences. Overlooking the Nile you’ll be able to plan the next part of your holiday. You might even wish to travel down some of the Nile on a boat, as it’s
close to Victoria Lake which is recognised as the source of this amazing river.
In conclusion, Mabira Forest is definitely a destination to include in the itinerary of your trip to Uganda.
If you need any further information, feel free to get in touch on info@prestigehotelsuites.com. You can also find out more information about us from our website: http://www.prestigehotelsuites.com.
Hope you enjoy your day trip to Mabira Forest and found our top things to do in Mabira Forest useful!