Rubanga Forest

Rubanga Forest-Nature/Forest walk in Rubanga: Are you an avid birder/walker/hiker? Are you looking for a place to have your soul calmed or healed? Nature without doubt provides a therapy that calms our souls providing inner peace and indeed, a forest/nature walk in Rubanga Forest is the right thing to consider on Uganda safaris to have your stress melt away. 

Located in Lake Mburo National Park, Western Uganda is a lush Rubanga Forest, one of the untapped natural wonders and forms part of the park’s varied ecosystems. Rubanga Forest is one of the areas every nature walker or birder should put into consideration to explore while on Uganda safari.

Birds in Rubanga Forest

Rubanga Forest is a stronghold of up to 40 unique bird species and these are largely forest birds. The birds of avid birder’s interest on birding tour here include the grey-backed cameroptera, green pigeon, Narina trogon, shoebill stork, red-shouldered cuckoo, coqui francolins, emerald spotted wood, doubled toothed barbet. Others include Nubian woodpeckers, bare-faced go-away, ross’s turacos, greenwood hoopoe, and many more. 

Plant species- Rubanga Forest also features distinct floral species with tree species including acacia, fig trees, platypus, markhamia etc. Additionally, there are interesting wildlife to see while on a guided or forest walk in Rubanga including hyenas, impalas, monkeys, zebras and others. 

Major Activities to do in Rubanga Forest

Birding, and nature walks are the main safari activities nature lovers should expect to enjoy while in Rubanga Forest. Birding tours in Rubanga Forest mainly allow birders to look out for forest and savanna bird species including papyrus gonoleks, grey-backed cameroptera, double-toothed barbet, green pigeons, Narina trogon, harrier hawk, and others.

Nature/forest walk lets you explore a variety of birds, primates such as olive baboons, vervet monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys. Like birding, guided nature walks in Rubanga Forest are led by an experienced and professional park guide fully trained by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). 

Other birding sites in Lake Mburo include the Swampy valleys of Miriti, Warukiri, and at Rwonyo camp. Other Uganda safari activities of visitor interest in Lake Mburo National Park include game drives to see wildlife such as buffaloes, leopards, lions, giraffes, zebras, elands, and impalas, warthogs, waterbucks, etc.

Horseback riding, cycling, boat cruise on Lake Mburo (this exposes visitors to hippos, crocodiles, aquatic birds, etc), sport fishing on Lake Mburo which shelters up to 6 fish species, and cultural encounters in the nearby local community. 

Best time to visit Rubanga for a forest/nature walk

Rubanga Forest in Lake Mburo National Park is open for exploration all year round. But the dry months offer the best forest or guided nature walk from June, July, August, September or December, January to February. The rainy season is also ideal for tourists to visit this forest. 

To ensure that you have the most of the Rubanga Forest walk, make sure that you pack the right gear. The key items to consider on your packing list for the Rubanga Forest walk include long trousers, plenty of drinking water, a good camera, a pair of binoculars, a bag/daypack, a long-sleeved shirt, insect repellent, and others.

Accommodation in Lake Mburo National Park

Budget accommodation: Eagle’s Nest Lodge, Rwonyo Rest Camp, Leopard Rest Camp

Midrange Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock Lodge, Arcadia Cottages, 

Luxury accommodation: Mihingo Safari Lodge, Mantana Luxury Tented Camp, Mburo Safari Lodge

Getting to Rubanga Forest, Mburo National Park

Found in the confines of Lake Mburo National Park, western Uganda, Rubanga Forest is reachable by road. It takes you 4-5 hours to drive from Kampala to Rubanga Forest and from Sanga park gate, the forest is approximately 30 minutes drive.