Why you should visit Mabira Forest?
overview
Mabira Forest Reserve is a naturally occurring tropical rainforest in central Uganda that was created in the 1900s. Mabira, the largest forest in this part of Uganda, is 306 square kilometers in size and was named by the locals from the phrase "amabira," which means "a big forest."
Mabira Forest is situated in Buikwe District along the Kampala–Jinja route, approximately 1.5 hours' drive from Kampala City, the capital, and 30 minutes from Jinja City, which is located farther east. It is one of Uganda's most popular woodland attractions and is rather simple to get there from Kampala. For nature enthusiasts seeking a day trip or short vacation in Uganda to experience the African rainforest, get up close and personal with nature, and take a forest bath, Mabira Forest is the ideal spot.
Geographical
North of Lake Victoria is the Mabira Central Forest Reserve. The total size of the reserve is 30,038 hectares. Wide stream valleys divide the various flat-topped hills that make up the gently undulating terrain. Between 1070 and 1340 meters above sea level is the range of elevations. The forest is drained by streams that discharge primarily northward into the Victoria Nile, despite Lake Victoria being near the reserve's southern edge.
There are agricultural lands all around the forest reserve. About 27 populated enclaves are entirely or partially surrounded by the reserve.
Environmental
The Victoria Basin forest-savanna mosaic ecoregion's biggest surviving block of semi-evergreen rainforest is Mabira Forest. The secondary forest reserve has been impacted by human activity for a long time. The distinctive East African mahogany (Khaya anthotheca) and mvule (Milicia excelsa) trees that were prevalent in the 1950s have mostly been felled for their valuable timber since logging started in the early 20th century. The government permitted coffee and banana plantations within the reserve in the 1970s and 1980s.
There are 315 bird species, 312 tree species, 218 butterfly species, 97 moth species, and 23 small animal species in the reserve.
Mabira as a rubber supplier
The East Africa and Uganda Exploration Company leased the Mabira Forest in 1900 and the Mabira Forest (Uganda) Rubber Company was established to manage the concession. Because of the low returns they received for each tree and the high expense of removing the thick forest surrounding each tree, their goal of earning 500,000 pounds year from the forest proved unachievable. As a result, the firm started growing coffee and produced rubber instead of using wild rubber.
Mabira Forest is mostly a secondary forest that has developed over the course of a century with little disturbance, resulting in an astounding array of fauna, including: There are 312 tree and shrub species, some of which are exclusive to Mabira Forest and cannot be found elsewhere. It is home to 35 species of small mammals, including duikers, bushbucks, squirrels, red-tailed monkeys, and the Uganda Mangabey, a primate that is unique to Uganda, as well as 316 bird species, 219 butterflies, and 97 moths.
In addition to being a significant water catchment region, Mabira Forest has a few rivers that empty into Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa.
Travel
Both domestic and foreign tourists are drawn to Mabira Forest Reserve by its varied flora and wildlife as well as its natural beauty. Tourists may engage in a variety of activities, such as zip-lining, bird watching, animal viewing, guided nature hikes, camping and picnics, cycling, monkey tracking, and cultural interactions with the local people. The local community and government both benefit financially from tourism.
Forest Walks with more than 68 km of well-maintained trails, Mountain Biking, Bird Watching, Environmental Education and Research, Camping and Picnics, Primate Observation, Butterfly Identification, and General Forest Exploration are among the activities offered.
Where to go on the Mabira Forest nature walk
The Mabira Eco Tourism Center in Najjembe is the primary and easiest location for a nature walk in Mabira Forest. You will see a lot, so this is a terrific alternative if all you want to do is take a nature stroll in Mabira. It is ideal for people who are visiting Jinja for the day and plan to take a nature walk in Mabira Forest. During some seasons, the region provides excellent Mangabey sightings. Numerous Red-tailed Monkeys are also present.
It's very easy to get to the Rainforest Lodge near Najjembe. Both day and overnight guests may explore the lodge's well-maintained path network and learn about Mabira's features.
In the Mabira Forest, ziplining
Access to the forest canopy and its residents, including birds, monkeys, squirrels, and other aspects that are sometimes elusive on the ground, is provided by this exhilarating journey. The sensation of being high up in the woods, tasting the new aromas of the trees