1 Day Birding Great Safari in Mabira Forest of Uganda

The 1 Day Birding Safari in Mabira Forest offers an exciting opportunity to explore one of Uganda’s largest remaining natural forests and one of the country’s most accessible birding destinations. Located between Kampala and Jinja, Mabira Forest Reserve covers over 300 square kilometers of tropical rainforest and is home to more than 300 bird species, making it a favorite destination for birdwatchers, photographers, and nature lovers.

This full-day birding excursion takes you through well-established forest trails in search of forest specialists, colorful birds, butterflies, and primates. The forest’s rich biodiversity and proximity to Kampala and Entebbe make it an ideal destination for both beginner and experienced birders.

Day 1: Transfer to Mabira Forest for Birding and Return

Your birding guide will pick you up early in the morning from your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe and transfer you to Mabira Forest Reserve, located approximately one hour from Kampala.

Upon arrival, begin your guided birding walk through the forest trails. Mabira is known for its excellent variety of forest birds, including several Guinea Congo biome species that are difficult to find elsewhere in Uganda.

As you move through the forest, your guide will help identify bird calls, locate species within the canopy, and provide information about the forest ecosystem. The morning hours are usually the most productive for bird activity.

You will break for lunch before continuing with an afternoon birding session in different sections of the forest. Besides birds, you may encounter red tailed monkeys, grey cheeked mangabeys, vervet monkeys, bush squirrels, butterflies, and unique forest vegetation.

Later in the afternoon, depart Mabira Forest and return to Kampala or Entebbe, arriving in the evening.

Accommodation: No Overnight Accommodation

Meal Plan: Lunch

Notable Birds of Mabira Forest

• Nahan’s Francolin
• African Grey Parrot
• Yellow-spotted Barbet
• Speckled Tinkerbird
• Forest Wood Hoopoe
• Blue-throated Roller
• African Pied Hornbill
• White-spotted Flufftail
• Green Hylia
• Red-headed Bluebill
• Purple-throated Cuckooshrike
• Cassin’s Hawk Eagle
• Yellow-billed Barbet
• Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill
• Fire-crested Alethe
• Tit Hylia
• African Emerald Cuckoo
• Yellow-billed Turaco
• Brown-eared Woodpecker
• Blue-breasted Kingfisher

Optional Activities

• Mabira Forest Ziplining Adventure
• Guided Forest Nature Walk
• Butterfly Watching Experience
• Primate Viewing Walk
• Jinja City Tour
• Source of the Nile Excursion
• Sezibwa Falls Visit
• Bird Photography Experience
• Community Cultural Visit
• Mountain Biking in Mabira Forest