Mabira Forest Ecotourism Attractions

The Forest Trails

An excellent trail system allows visitors easy access to both undisturbed primary forest and good secondary forest. The trails have been designed to suit all ages and abilities.

 

Picnic Trail

Leading from the picnic site this short 15 - 20 minute self guided trail journeys into the forest meandering through regenerating forest along the valley of one of Mabira’s many forest streams. It is ideal for children and visitors on a tight time schedule.

 

Grassland Trail

Keen bird watchers will enjoy the Grassland Trail loop, which offers good views into the broken canopy, which, together with an abundance of fruiting trees, make sightings of large numbers of forest birds a real possibility.
It is a 3km trail which can take anywhere between 1 and 3 hours depending on bird sightings. It is well way marked so visitors can walk alone or with a guide who will help identify the sights and sounds of the forest. The trail travels through regenerating secondary forest flanking the sides of the Najjembe stream valley. It is possible to link with other trails to extend your walk.

 

The Radio Hill Trial Network

For visitors wanting a more ‘jungle like’ experience and views over the forest canopy a number of trail circuits link to Radio Hill where a steep climb is rewarded by panoramic view north over the forest reserve.
The Primary forest trails are across the main road from the forest center. Visitors enter a cool tropical shadowy environment characterized by gurgling forest streams, giant tree trunks, twisted stems of strangler figs and the chattering of tribes of monkeys high above in the forest canopy.
This is intact tropical forest and rich in plant and animal life. Visitors will enjoy walking in this cool environment and wonder at the amazing natural formations in this artists paradise.
All walks in the primary forest must be lead by a trained guide. They will choose a trial to suit your time schedule and fitness level. All walks are on looped circuits with resting points.

 

The Market Loop

This trail links two impressive fig trees and is a common area for monkeys, which feed on the fruit. You may meet Red Tailed monkeys or Black and Grey Cheeked Mangabeys, which often raid people’s gardens on the forest boundaries. The market loop takes approximately one hour from the Forest Center.

 

The River Mabugwe Loop

This trail leads through intact rainforest along the path of the River Mabugwe which is one of the permanent rivers in Mabira Forest. A huge strangler fig is a prominent feature on the trail and the trail opens up in places to provide excellent sites for butterfly and bird viewing. This trail takes approximately 2 hours from the forest center.

Gangu Ridge Trail

This is the longest trail and leads into shaded thick forest far away from the main highway. It takes approximately 3 –4 hours and involves a trek through primary forest across three valleys including the Gangu valley. The trail has two resting points from which you can view birds; forest primates or you may spot signs of the elusive bush pig. This trail links to the Butterfly loop and Radio Hill Circuit.

 

The Fig Junction Trail

This is another trail passing through thick primary forest. The main feature of this trail is an impressive fig tree junction, which provides an excellent bird watching area. Watch out for the Black Billed Turaco, Yellow Billed Barbet or Dusky Long Tailed Cuckoo. This trail takes approximately 2 to 3 hours from the forest center.

 

Radio Hill Loop Circuit

A trip straight to the viewpoint at the top the radio tower on Radio Hill will take approximately 45 minutes. It is well worth the climb to witness a marvelous panoramic view over the forest, from here you can start to appreciate the sheer scale of the forest which is the largest in Central Uganda.

 

Butterfly Viewing Trail

This trail is much more open and sunny. It is characterized by many flowering plants such as Lantana camara, whose pink and yellow flowers attract clouds of butterflies. Birds such as White Throated Bee Eaters and Pied Kingfishers enjoy this forest edge environment. This trail takes approximately 2 hours from the forest center.

 

Macaranga Loop Trail

This trail is characterized by the Macaranga species of trees with their amazing thorny stems. Discover how these trees protect themselves against forest predators. This trail takes approximately 1½ hour from the forest center.

 

Cycling routes

From the visitor center visitors with their own mountain bikes can follow a specially designed cycling circuit which offers a challenging trail to the top of Namusa Hill for experienced cyclists and an alternative route along the Wagala ridge pylon clearing for less experienced cyclists.

The trail follows a quiet forest road for 8km into the heart of the forest, at Ssese village visitors can chose to follow the 5km loop up to Namusa Hill or turn left to follow the pylon clearing. The two trails meet and continue towards Lugazi. The more adventurous may like to search for the Griffin Water Falls, simply ask directions at the houses half way up the hill when you have crossed a bridge over the river.

The trial eventually leads out of the forest into Lugazi passing through the tea and sugar cane plantations, which surround the forest.

MABIRA FOREST ECOTOURISM ACTIVITIES