Mabira Forest straggles the main Jinja to Kampala highway, it is 54km from Kampala and 20km from Jinja. 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 murram road will bring you to the forest center where parking is available.
The site is readily accessed by public transport. From Kampala take a taxi from the old taxi park heading towards Jinja and get off at Najjembe market. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and From Jinja take a taxi from the taxi park heading towards Lugazi or Kampala get off just pass Najjembe market, the forest center is on the road to your right. The journey takes approximately half an hour.
The Mabira Forest Tourism Project was set up in 1995 to enable sustainable income from the forest through the creation of a recreational and educational resource for citizens, foreign residents and visitors from abroad. Eco-tourisme site!
A huge and beautiful forest of 306 km² can be explored via an extensive trail network. Guided and unguided trails are available. For the energetic, there is a circular 25 km bike trail that links the forest to the surrounding sugar and tea plantations.
Highlights: walking – hiking – mountain biking – guided and unguided forest walks
Opinion: a nice stop on the way to Jinja or Mt Elgon – a good day trip. Warm & humid in the forest.
An attractive forest visitor complex in a beautiful tranquil forest edge setting offering comfortable facilities for a weekend break. and a relaxing environment to unwind and get back to nature.
Easy access between Uganda’s two largest urban centres Kampala and Jinja, the forest is one hours drive from the capital and just half an hours drive from Jinja. Mabira offers visitors with tight time schedules a tropical forest experience on their doorstep and for visitors without their own transport an easily accessed and reasonably priced public transport link.
A huge and beautiful forest to explore via an extensive trail network. The forest trails cater for people of all time schedules and abilities and give visitors fantastic views into the forest canopy. and opportunities to discover close up a fascinating array of forest life. Both guided and unguided trails are available. For the energetic a circular 25 km bike trail links the forest to the surrounding sugar and tea plantations (mountain bikes are advised).
Facilities
- The visitor center
Discover more about Mabira with a visit to the forest interpretation center. Find out about the rare and wonderful creatures that inhabit the forest, learn about the importance of the trees and plants and find out what we can all do to help conserve our forest resources.
On sale at the visitor center are craft items made by local groups, postcards, tourist maps, bird books and souvenier Mabira Forest T- shirts.
- Picnic site and viewing platform
Enjoy a soda, snack or picnic in the tranquil picnic site surrounding the visitor center. Flowering trees and good views into the forest make it an excellent place for watching exotic sun birds and playful red tailed monkeys. The raised viewing platform elevates you into the forest canopy where you can relax in shady comfort.
- Banda Accomodation
The forest center has three traditional styled African Banda’s offering visitors private and comfortable accomodation set in beautiful forest glades. Each Banda has it’s own balcony with views into the forest, a perfect spot to relax after a forest walk.
There are two double Banda’s and one family Banda sleeping 6 people. Each Banda has its own latrine and bathing facilities.
- Camp site
The camp site is set in a idyllic forest glade. It can cater for up to 12 tents. A camp fire area and picnic tables make it ideal for self catering groups. A spacious thatched camp shelter adjacent to the campsite offers additional comfort to campers. The camp site has its own latrine and bathing facilties.
- The Forest Trails
An excellent trail system allows visitors easy access to both undisturbed primary forest or good secondary forest. The trails have been designed to suit all ages and abilities.
3 Comment
Jemmy Shan, 2019-07-16 at 9:55 AM
We did a nature walk and birding in the morning and i will say it was worth the visit, our tour guide was very knowledgeable about different kinds of birds and plants. I highly recommend this place.
Bob, 2016-12-12 at 10:49 AM
We had great fun at the Mariba Forest Canopy Super Skyway. The staff was kind enough to come and pick-us up at Kampala and after a drive of about 1h30 we arrived at the Griffin Falls site. This drive was quite pleasant, the staff spoke good english and explained a lot about the areau we were driving through.
The Super Skyway was great fun and the Sky Captains do know there business and take good care of your safety. Relax and enjoy the view and the adrenaline.
Walking back to the griffin falls site we were able to see quite some monkeys in the wild, just great!
I can really recommend this. Take about half a day to do this while you’re travelling between Kampala and Jinja.
Mimijim69, Nevada, 2016-06-08 at 10:44 AM
Ziplining in Mabira rain forest; This was an incredible experience!! 5 ziplines from extremely high trees, at a reasonable price! had incredible time.