1 Day Mabira Forest Birdwatching Safari

Your 1-day Mabira Forest birdwatching safari involves you exploring Mabira Forest Reserve, which is set in Buikwe district, eastern Uganda, about one hour’s drive from Kampala, the capital city, in a good and comfortable 4×4 safari car.

For all avid birdwatchers, this is a special package set for you to get an exceptional birding experience with a chance for you to identify some of 315 distinct avifaunal species that dwell in the lush Mabira Forest.

This forest reserve is about 306 sq. km, making it one of the largest natural forests in Uganda.

Mabira Forest was gazetted in 1932, and today, it offers refuge not only to bird species but also to over 312 species of trees; several species of primates, including the endangered grey-cheeked mangabeys; 97 moth species; 218 butterfly species; and many others.

Over 10 trails are available for you to embark on either guided or unguided tours in Mabira Forest.

The one-day Mabira Forest birdwatching tour will start and end in Kampala or Entebbe.

Brief Itinerary – 1-Day Mabira Forest Birdwatching Safari

Day 1: Drive from Entebbe/Kampala to Mabira Forest, birdwatching

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Drive from Entebbe/Kampala to Mabira Forest, birdwatching

Start your day with a delicious cup of tea or coffee, and after, you will be transferred from your hotel or area of residence in Entebbe or Kampala to Mabira Forest.

The road trip to Mabira takes about 1 hour’s drive from Kampala, the capital city. Arrive early enough and branch to the Mabira Eco-Tourism Centre, which is 300 m from the highway.

You will have a short briefing, and then you will embark on a birdwatching tour with a guide along a developed birding trail.

Expect to spot birds like the African pied hornbill, shining blue kingfisher, dwarf kingfisher, tit Hylia, sooty flycatchers, striped kingfishers, forest robins, grey-throated and yellow-billed barbets.

Other birds to spot include yellow-whiskered black-billed turaco, white-billed barbet, Toro olive and little grey greenbul, forest wood hoopoe, African paradise flycatcher, and black-and-white shrike.

1 Day Mabira Forest Bird watching Safari

You may also come across the African flycatcher, blue-throated roller, dusky-throated brown sunbird, velvet-mantled drongo, and green-throated and olive-bellied sunbirds, to mention but a few.

You will also come across primate species, including the endangered grey-cheeked mangabeys, vervet monkeys and red-tailed monkeys.

After an astonishing bird encounter, you will be driven back to Entebbe or Kampala.

End of 1 day Mabira Forest birdwatching safari

1 Day Mabira A forest birdwatching safari includes

  • Birdwatching
  • Lunch
  • Transportation in a 4×4 safari car
  • Services of an English-speaking bird guide
  • Bottled water
  • All activities in the travel plan apart from the optional ones

1 Day Mabira Forest birdwatching safaris exclude

  • Uganda visa fees
  • Personal insurance
  • Personal expenses such as cigarettes, telephone calls, laundry services, tips, hotel fees in Entebbe or Kampala, optional activities and many others.

Other activities to do in Mabira Forest Reserve

  • Guided nature walks/forest walk
  • Zip lining
  • Uganda mangabey monkey trekking
  • Mountain biking

What to bring

  • Field guide book
  • Camera
  • Filed clothing
  • Filed bag
  • Binoculars
  • Insect repellent
  • Good walking boots/shoes
  • Rain jacket/poncho
  • Bottled water
  • Getting to Mabira Forest

Mabira Forest is set in the Buikwe district, about 56 km from Kampala and 24 km from Jinja.

It is reachable by public means or car hire, which you can find from a trusted and reliable car hire/tour company.

Mabira Central Forest Reserve lies along the Kampala-Jinja highway.