This forest reserve is one of the last untouched tropical rain forests in Africa. The forest is recorded to stretch for more than 300sq kilometers on Kampala Jinja Highway.  It sits on a stretch of valleys, hills and some parts are fringed by papyrus swamps and savannah on the shore of Lake Victoria.

This reserve is filled with more than 300 endemic plants and species that are only sighted in the Coing-Guinea forests such as the Francolinus nahani, Phyllanthus atripennis, Macrosphenus concolor, Caprimulgus nigriscapularis, and Trochocercus niten among many others. Some of the species in the forest are used as traditional medicinal herbs thus stressing the importance of this forest to the livelihood of the surrounding villages.

The forest offers an important bio-sphere system for Lake Victoria with water catchment for lakes (Kyoga), rivers and falls like R.Nile, Musanya and Sezibwa falls

Wildlife

Although the forest is highly endangered by human activities such as deforestation and charcoal burning, it remains a very lush eco-system with several species of animals and birds.

There are 9 endangered species of mammals in Mabira not found anywhere else in Uganda and they include the short tailed fruit bat, Mangabey, baboon, colobus monkeys, butterflies and several birds. Statistics has that the forest has 218 species of butterflies, 23 mammals including primates and 95 moth species. Some of the birds in Mabira forest reserve include red headed blue bill, black, bellied seed cracker,cassin hawk eagle, purple throated cuckoo, forest wood hoope and tit hylia, to mention a few.

Getting there

Mabira is located on the Kampala Jinja Highway, some 54km from Kampala the capital and 21km from Jinja town on the shores of Lake Victoria. It takes just a one-hour drive from Kampala  to reach the lush forest in the district of Buikwe, after a town called Najjembe.

Activities

The forest reserve is particularly good for hiking, forest walks and mountain biking. There is a network of well maintained forest walks through the forest carefully built to protect the forest vegetation and a few other sites used for picnics

Accommodation

There is comfortable accommodation in the forest with some few lodges and cottages built to match the serenity of the forest reserve. The Rain Forest Eco-Lodge has 7 double rooms and five twin suite with furniture, private balconies with view of the forest, swimming pool, health spa, restaurant and a well stocked bar. The ambiance at the forest lodges is great for a weekend gateway.

A public campsite is available for outdoor camping and educational tours with 12 tents and water

As you plan having a safari with your children, there are certain things that you may consider, the age of the children and where they can handle the harsh weather, the roads are not really in good conduction to sustain very young kids. If the children are in the right age, the family will certainly enjoy their safari and still encounter memorable experiences.

Children in particular will enjoy the wilderness in Uganda as they take on the game drives around the park, the forest nature walks, along with the boat rides taking pleasure in the large concentration of wildlife. Among the animals that are discover on the shores of the lake include the hippos,crocodiles,elephants and many others.With this close look at the animals, children return home with unforgettable memories and they will love to share with the rest. When it comes to Uganda as a country, the children have a lot to see and discover since Uganda is known as a pearl of Africa. Its wilderness carters for all age groups.

Below are the some of the tips that will make you delight in a family safari with children In Uganda Africa.

Once you have little children on board, try as much as possible to avoid longer drives, if not take on short days to Lake Mburo or overnight safari to Murchison falls may do as these kids will be a sleep.

National park entries in Uganda for Children: Children below the age of 15 are supposed to pay 15 USD per day for each park entrance made.

Children are also limited from certain activities: for instance gorilla tracking considers children of about 15 years and above, Chimpanzee Tracking take on 15 years at Kyambura Gorge at Queen Elizabeth,Kibale Forest as well as Budongo Forest close to Masindi.Volcano hikes usually takes long hours of about 6 to 8 which may not be considered for the children.Alternativaly there are children activities that are organized in different parks for instance Kibale forest has games for children that are supervised by experts in the park if not, the driver may involve them in other activities like short hikes. As the elder ones take on the gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable forest, the children may engage in forest hike, village walks and bike ride around the community.

Family Safari Accommodation: which may include hotels, tented camps and lodgings. Depending on the arrangement of the hotel, some offer discounts if children are to occupy one room and with better facilities. Other hotels consider the age at which they will offer the accommodation therefore their age limitation varies. To some children are honored greatly without considering age while others will definitely take not of that.

Family Safari Vehicle: The best means of transport is the safari van, its spacious enough to accommodate children and still move freely without congestion. It’s comfortable and gives a good view of the scenery.

What children may love to eat in Uganda: All the accommodation mentioned above offer kid’s food. For instance chicken strips, pizza, fish as well as chips. It may be hard for the kids to get hamburgers but the rest of foods will be served to the children. Soft drinks for children, there are all kinds of soft drinks that children will love taking, for instance coca cola products, Pepsi and juice. Drinking water is also available

Reserve A Family Safari with a trust worthy tour company such as Insight safaris: it’s the best company that will carter for your children and still provide convenient accommodation. It offers the best tour operators that are well experienced in the field of tourism.

Organize A Family Safari: safari tour companies may be of great use as they will offer the best packages for both the young and the old. As the elder go for gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking, the children will be offered something else to do. At insight safaris, we work with you to provide children friendly safari and still give you the best suggestions on how to enjoy your safari with your children.

Listed below are some of the best places as well as activities to be done by children on their safari in Uganda.

There is always time set for the young tourists to interact with the Uganda children. In the safari package for children, there will be a visit to the local schools in addition to orphanages and see how their fellow children live their lives. To make this so exciting, there is cultural entertainment between the visiting children and the children of Uganda.

Uganda Cultural Encounters: The Ugandan culture is one thing that you will like first sight, the traditional dances, the way they prepare their food, handmade art and craft, visiting traditional healers, story tellers, children taking on village walks and also children participating in the cultural performances. These cultural practices are fulfilling to the entire family.

Uganda is gifted with about 10 national parks and all of them carter for the children short safari with children will involve you visiting Murchison falls, Queen Elizabeth Park and Lake Mburo.In instances where the young children can’t get access to the chimpanzees, the kibale forest can offer facilities for setting up a jungle tree house for the children. Through this, they can hear the sounds of the wild animals moving around the park, if not the children’s accommodation may be based on a crater lake. The Uganda Wildlife rangers have special activities for the children below the age of 12years,this include involving them to the forest walks as they see the primates and the reptiles in their natural environment. While parents enjoy their gorilla trekking, the kids may do other activities, if at Lake Mburo, they can go on horse riding.

Tented Camp Safaris for Children: The majority of the children love going on safaris but with an idea of camping, camping is so adventurous and through this you do a lot of activities. The Tented camp lodges are well known for comfort, with better facilities and nice cuisine. This camp gives great memories to the entire family.

Jinja is one of the most exciting tourist spot in Uganda: There is bungee jumping and water rafting and this will have your adrenaline run out of your body. With a family, you are advised to take on the float because it’s a bit mild and will give you a great picture of the Nile and memorable exeriences.Older children may take on a speed boat around the Nile, delight in the cruise with dinner or perhaps take on a horseback ride around the park.

If you really want to get a good glance of these tree climbing lions including the young and the older, the only place in Uganda that can offer this view is Ishasha plains of Queen Elizabeth Park. The lions spend the entire day climbing trees and some resting under the cool environment. It has a beautiful sight that you may not discover in the whole of Africa unless if you go close to Lake Manyara in Kenya. Many tour companies tend to ignore this place as they only take their visitors to Queen Elizabeth Park along with Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Truth be told, these lions are so scarce in Africa and once you are in Uganda or perhaps heading to Bwindi Impenetrable forest or Mweya area, you can brunch off and take a ride to the Ishasha plains and catch a glimpse of the gorgeous lions. The cars in the plains are less so as to give you a chance to enjoy driving as you take great photos, apart from the tree climbing lions, you will see other kinds of wildlife for instance antelopes, buffalo herds as well as numerous elephants as they graze for food. The area is acknowledged for having about 3 kinds of lions in the park; however there is no correct figure for the number of lions that occupy the park. Some people have guessed to around 45 lions and more.

The only place that you will discover these great tree climbing lions will be in the Sycamore Fig trees along with the Acacia trees. The beauty about these Sycamore Fig trees is that they provide enough shelter to the tree climbing lions more so during the rainy season. They are thick to give support to the lions.

So many people ask themselves why the Tree climbing lions love occupying the Sycamore Fig trees, the local people say that it’s cultural for the lions to climb trees while other people take it in this perspective that they are only avoiding insects that feast on them. Surprisingly these tree climbing lions can hid in the sycamore fig tree and the tourists may not get a chance to spot even one during their game drive. The only way by getting this avoided, is by having a tour operator under the Uganda Wildlife Authourity.These are the best people to discover the hiding lions rather than using a driver who only has plain information about the place. Something to take not about the lions in Ishasha is the fact that the manes of the males are black. Apart from the tree climbing lions, you can certainly enjoy seeing the tree climbing Leopards at Ishasha.If there is anything that ought not to be missed, is the tree climbing lions, they have a beautiful sight that can be discovered in Ishasha Uganda and remember not in the whole of Africa.

Uganda is one destination that is blessed with the most amazing and passionate falls. The Sipi falls is located close to 55km in the northern part of Mbale.It connects to Mount Elgon and also adjacent to the town of Kapchorwa.The falls are believed to have three levels although its acknowledged that the upper two levers are relatively small when you compare with the main fall. The Sipi falls brings out the beauty of Uganda.

On top of the Sipi falls, you will get a perfect view of the magnificent and breathtaking Mount Elgon.The plains of both northern and eastern as they take their course through the lands. As you trek to see the origin of the Sipi falls, it’s a bit tedious although when you get there, it’s the most beautiful place to stay. The water is so cool and the environment worth adoring. Having a night in this place will be of great experience, as you will enjoy the waterfalls as well as the sound of the birds. It’s one of those peaceful places that will enable you meditate on your life and still thank God for his creation.

If you love adventuring, please come to Uganda and visit the Sipi falls. Your dream will come true as you tour the bottom of the falls where the water thunders. You may be forced to take a swim and enjoy the cool water. The locals will definitely be there to entertain you as they dive in the water, some washing clothes and the rest trying to catch some fish although it’s not so much successful because of the rapid water.

As you approach the Sipi falls, you will discover some caves that are well designed with seats to have you rest a bit as you go deep the falls. To some people, they think it’s manmade and yet it was naturally made by God. It’s such an amazing stopover. Surprisingly it is said that in the years of Amin Dada’s regime, the government of Uganda held its meeting from that cave. Some other caves are small and link to Kenya however they are too dark to give you a proper direction to get to the border of Kenya. Those that tried to use this route were killed on the way by wild animals and to others; it was too dark to access the route.

How to get to Sipi Falls

You can get access to Sipi falls from Sironko Mbale town, on the way, there are various markets selling different products. The scenery is beautified by the vegetation as well as the rocks that appear as though they are falling anytime. The weather in this area is just too cool and for first time visitors, you are recommended to get to the top prior to mid day. The roads tend to get slippery after that and you car may get stack. Just in case you experience this, don’t panic. The locals are always ready to give a hand and believe me they will make your safari memorable.