UGANDA · MABIRA FOREST RESERVE
One of Uganda’s most accessible and productive rainforest birding sites — over 315 recorded species, rare endemics like Nahan’s Francolin, spectacular turacos, hornbills, kingfishers and more.
Located ~54 km east of Kampala (≈1 hour). Easy day trips or part of extended itineraries along the Kampala–Jinja corridor.
Over 315 recorded species including Guinea–Congo forest biome specialists — highly productive per sq. km.
Rediscovery site of the rare Nahan’s Francolin — a major draw for serious birders and photographers.
Mabira is unique because it blends easy access with a rainforest species list usually found in remote locations. It’s ideal whether you’re on a tight schedule out of Kampala or building a longer, specialist itinerary.
Forest interior, mixed canopy, and swampy clearings offer varied habitats for specialized species.
Depart Kampala early morning. Arrive Mabira and start guided forest walks along shaded trails. Focus on forest understory and canopy species. Listen for the loud call of Nahan’s Francolin and turacos. Afternoon: continue walks or visit viewpoint for canopy photography.
Early morning stakeouts for ground species and secretive undergrowth birds. Search mixed-species flocks for hornbills, sunbirds and greenbuls. Optional visits to swampy areas for flufftails or nearby sites along the Kampala-Jinja corridor before returning to Kampala.
The crown jewel: a critically endangered ground-dwelling species, rediscovered in Mabira. Secretive and often heard more than seen; requires patient, guided searches.
Noisy canopy residents — important seed dispersers. Distinctive casqued bills & braying calls; frequent fruiting trees and canopy edges.
Forest-dwelling jewels — some hunt on the forest floor or near streams. Iridescent blues and delicate calls make them a photographer’s joy.
Living rainbows of the canopy — spectacular colours and crest displays. Iconic forest photographs and loud resonant calls.
Hear the drums and duets — African Grey & Yellow-crested woodpeckers; Hairy-breasted, Yellow-billed and White-headed barbets frequent fruiting trees and trunks.
The forest’s background choir: Yellow-whiskered, Plain, Slender-billed and Honeyguide greenbuls are a constant acoustic presence.
Green-headed, Blue-throated Brown, Olive-bellied, Collared and Purple-banded sunbirds — nectar-feeding jewels visiting flowers and shrubs.
African Grey Parrot, Narina Trogon, Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, White-spotted Flufftail, Uganda Woodland Warbler, Forest Robin, Fire-crested Alethe, Cabanis's Greenbul, Forest Scrub Robin, Eastern Nicator.
Respect the forest by staying on trails, keeping noise low, and avoiding disturbance of nesting or roosting birds. Support local guides and community-run initiatives that help protect Mabira’s biodiversity.
Book a guided trip or request a custom itinerary for photographers, listers, or family groups.
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