Covering an area of 300sqkm, Mabira Forest Reserve is the largest block of moist semi-deciduous forest in central Uganda, located 50km east of the capital Kampala. Mabira Forest is a protected Important Birding Area (IBA) with a checklist of over 310 bird species that comprise of up to 74 Guinea-Congo biome species and a quality list of tropical forest proper specialists. The rainforest is an island of bird biodiversity and is Uganda’s most rewarding birding hotspot featured on all our tailored packages.
Birding trails at Mabira Forest
Birding trails at Mabira Forests begin from the two eco-tourism offices of Griffin Falls Camp (branching off north-west at Lugazi town) and Najjembe Eco-Tourism office, 50km along Kampala-Jinja highway. The trails explore riverine, secondary and primary forest structures extending onto savannas and forest edge. At Najjembe office, Campsite and Base Trails are the most productive while the road to Buwoola bypass a seasonal pond where Shining Blue Kingfisher is known.
Bird Highlights at Mabira Forest
Bucket-list bird highlights at Mabira Forest include; White Spotted Flufftail, Forest Scimitarbill, Grey-headed Sunbird, Green Hylia, Grey Longbill, Brown-eared and Yellow-crowned Woodpeckers, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Narina Trogon, Yellow-mantled Weaver, Weyn’s Weaver, Red-headed Malimbe, Green-throated Sunbird, Green Twinspot, Nahan’s Partridge and Grey Parrot.
More highlights include; Great Blue Turaco, African Wood Owl, Purple-throated Cuckooshrike, Western Nicator, Velvet-mantled Drongo, Buff-spotted Woodpecker, Least Honeyguide, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Speckled Tinkerbird, Congo Pied Hornbill, Western Black-headed Oriole, Purple-headed Starling, Red-headed Bluebill etc.
Forest floor specialists include; Forest Robin, Scary-breasted Illadopsis, Brown-chested and Fire-crested Alethe and Red-capped Robin Chat that usually follow ant swarms. Crested Guineafowl, Yellow-browed and Olive Green Camaroptera, Red-tailed Bristlebill, Yellow-eyed Bristle bill, Red-tailed Greenbul, Blue-shouldered Robin Chat and Snow-crowned Robin Chat.
Raptors are well represented in; African Crowned Eagle, Black Sparrowhawk, with African Goshawk, Shikra and Lizard Buzzard patrolling the forest edges.
Recommended Birding Tour Duration at Mabira Forest
While on Uganda birding tours Mabira Forest feature as a day-trip from Kampala, Entebbe or Jinja, from our expereince as birders we would recommend a minimum of 2 full-days to explore a fraction of this bird-rich rainforest. And with longer time available, one can easily spend up to 4 days birding here.
Where to stay while Birding at Mabira Forest
The long-standing RainForest Lodge set in the heart of Mabira Forest is atop notch facility boasting an excellent birdie location and is suitable for birders seeking to explore Najjembe eco tourism center and surroundings. Elsewhere Griffins Falls Camp run a moderate and comfortable accommodation for birders seeking to explore the northern part of Mabira. In practical sense any accommodation in Jinja City and along the southern banks of River Nile can serve birders to Mabira although an early start is highly recommended.