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On this one day Birding, we explore Mabira Forest, the largest block of tropical forest in central Uganda, extending over an area of 300km2 near the northern shores of Lake Victoria. This mid-altitude tropical rainforest is biodiversity hotspot and top birding hotspot with a checklist of over 300 species of birds mostly Afro-tropical forest specialists. The forest is easily accessed, lying only 65km or 2hrs drive east of Kampala.

On this birding tour, we explore both the regenerating and primary forest sections where top highlights include; Blue-breasted Kingfisher, African Pied and Crowned Hornbill, Cassin’s Hawk Eagle, Red-headed Bluebill, White-spotted Flufftail, Green-tailed and Red-tailed Bristlebills, Afep Pigeon, Red-headed Malimbe, Forest Robin, Yellowbill, Grey-throated Barbet, Yellow-ramped and Yellow-throated Tinkerbirds, Least Honeyguide, Buff-spotted Woodpecker, Green-backed Twinspot, Forest Woodhoopoe, Western Nicator, Western Black-headed Oriole, Toro Olive Greenbul and many more.

Other highlights incude: Blue-shouldered Robin Chat, Tit Hylia, Green Hylia, Crowned Eagle, Sooty Boubou, White spotted Flufftail, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Yellow Longbill, Forest Robin, Fire-crested Alethe, Red-headed Bluebill, Brown-chested Alethe, Brown and Scaly-throated Illadopsis, Western Black-headed Oriole, Weyn’s Weaver, Green-backed Twinspot, Forest Woodhoopoe and more.

One Day Mabira Forest Birding Tour Includes

  • Transport with a Bird guide
  • Bottled drinking water.
  • All entry fees and site guide fees
  • A hot Lunch

One Day Mabira Forest Birding Tour Excludes

  • Tips to driver and guides
  • Other drinks and meals other than mentioned.

Detailed Itinerary

Your bird-guide will pick you from your residence/hotel early morning early before 6:30am to drive up to Mabira Forest. The drive should be two hours, targeting to check in at the forest by 8am where you will meet a knowledgeable local site guide to start the birding excursion. At the forest, you will start off birding the base trail that heads out to a local pond where you hope to collect a Shining-blue Kingfisher, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Red-headed Bluebill, White-spotted Flufftail, Grey-headed Nigrita, Great-blue Turaco while the primary forest stretch hots Forest Scimitar bill, Chestnut Wattle-eye, Black-throated Apalis, Western Nicator, Yellow-mantled Weaver and Brown-eared Woodpecker among other interesting characters. Later on, you bird the base trail that runs through an interesting riverine stretch of regenerating forest section with chances of Cassin’s Hawk eagle, African Pied Hornbill, Grey-headed Barbet, Speckled and Yellow-throated Tinkerbirds, Natal Robin, Olive Sunbird while over the forest canopies Crowned Eagle and Sabine Spinetail patrol.

While here look out for several primates including Red-tailed Monkeys and Uganda Mangabey that frequent the riverine forest stretch. A hot lunch will be at a quite Rainforest Forest Lodge set in a very birdy section which you will explore the whole afternoon and driving to Kampala late that evening.

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