Straddling the road to Jinja, a two-hour drive from Kampala, Mabira forest supports over 300 bird species many of which are difficult to see elsewhere in Uganda and close to 218 butterfly species. An excellent Trail System allows access to both undisturbed primary and good secondary forests. Managed by the Forestry Department with input from the local community, Mabira Forest was opened to the public in 1996. The revenue generated from ecotourism is shared between the forestry department and the local community.

One of Mabira’s strengths lies in the large number of birds which may be seen from the visitor’s centre. Flowering trees in the clearing attract a variety of sunbirds such as green, Little Olive, Blue-throated brown, green-throated, olive-bellied and superb sunbirds. Other forest edge species here include speckle-breasted Woodpecker, Black-throated Apalis, African blue Flycatcher and Grey-crowned Negro finch. Forest Ribon, Snowy headed Robin-Chat, Grey-capped warbler, Black and white Flycatcher, Dusky Tit and common Wattle Eye occur around the Campsite where Buff-spotted Fluff tail and African wood owl may be heard in the evenings.

The beautiful Primary forest south of the main Kampala-Jinja road is a prime birding area harbouring a number of species that avoid secondary forests.

This birding safari takes you to Mabira forest, a tropical rainforest in central Uganda for the search of forest birds secluded in this largest forest block in the Central part of Uganda. Other safari activities include Forest walks, butterfly viewing, primate watching (monkeys) etc. The Forest offers camping, picnics and hiking activities.