It is an attractive forest visitor complex in a beautiful tranquil forest edge setting offering comfortable facilities for a weekend break. and a welcoming 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).
Services and facilities A visitor centre has been constructed to provide information on 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.
Craft items made by local groups, postcards, tourist maps, bird books and souvenir’s 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 sunbirds and playful red tailed monkeys. The raised viewing platform elevates you into the forest canopy where you can relax in shady comfort.
Where to stay
The forest center has three traditional styled African Banda’s offering visitors private and comfortable accommodation 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.
Water and firewood can be provided for self-catering visitors or meals can be arranged in advance with the caretaker.
Campsite
The campsite is set in a idyllic forest glade. It can cater for up to 12 tents. A campfire 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 campsite has its own latrine and bathing facilities.
How to get there
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.