Mabira Forest Eco-tour in Uganda
Mabira Forest Eco-tour
Uganda is a land of natural beauty and breathtaking landscapes, and Mabira Forest is a prime example of this. Located in the central region of the country, just 56km east of Kampala, Mabira Forest is Uganda’s largest forest reserve, covering over 300 square kilometers. The forest is home to over 300 species of birds, 312 species of trees, and a variety of mammals, including primates such as the grey-cheeked mangabey and red-tailed monkey. If you’re looking for a unique and eco-friendly adventure, a visit to Mabira Forest is a must-do. There are numerous activities to choose from, including bird watching, nature walks, cycling, and zip-lining. The forest is also an important source of livelihood for local communities, with a number of ecotourism initiatives set up to promote sustainable tourism and support the conservation of the forest. Bird Watching Mabira Forest is a bird lover’s paradise, with over 300 species of birds to be found here. Bird watching tours can be arranged with experienced local guides who are knowledgeable about the different species and their habitats. Some of the species you may spot include the Great Blue Turaco, African Pied Hornbill, and Grey Parrot. Nature Walks Mabira Forest is home to a network of trails that offer a variety of walking experiences. You can opt for a leisurely stroll on the forest floor or take on a more challenging hike up one of the hills in the forest. As you walk, you’ll be surrounded by the lush greenery of the forest, with opportunities to spot primates, butterflies, and a variety of plant species. Cycling Mabira Forest is also a great destination for cycling enthusiasts. The forest has a network of cycling trails that range in difficulty, from easy to challenging. Cycling through the forest is a great way to experience the beauty of the forest while also getting some exercise. Zip-lining For the more adventurous, Mabira Forest offers a unique zip-lining experience. The forest has two zip-line courses, each with six lines, that take you through the canopy of the forest. As you zip through the forest, you’ll have a bird’s eye view of the forest and its inhabitants. Ecotourism Initiatives Mabira Forest is an important source of livelihood for local communities, and a number of ecotourism initiatives have been set up to support the conservation of the forest and promote sustainable tourism. One such initiative is the Mabira Forest Ecotourism Network, which offers a range of activities, including guided nature walks, bird watching tours, and cultural experiences. Another initiative is the Rainforest Lodge, which is located in the heart of Mabira Forest. The lodge offers accommodation in eco-friendly cabins and promotes sustainable tourism practices, such as composting and recycling. A visit to Mabira Forest is a must-do for anyone looking for a unique and eco-friendly adventure in Uganda. With its diverse range of activities, from bird watching to zip-lining, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. And by supporting ecotourism initiatives, you’ll be contributing to the conservation of this important natural resource and supporting the livelihoods of local communities.
Mabamba Swamp: A Hidden Gem for Birdwatching in Uganda
Mabamba Swamp
Uganda is known for its incredible diversity of wildlife and is a popular destination for safaris and gorilla trekking. However, there is a hidden gem that often goes unnoticed by visitors: the Mabamba Swamp. Located on the shores of Lake Victoria, this wetland area is a birdwatcher’s paradise and a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts. Getting to Mabamba Swamp is easy with the help of Vas Transport. Our reliable and professional transportation services will take you from Kampala to the swamp in just a few hours. Once you arrive, you’ll be greeted by the beautiful sights and sounds of nature. The highlight of Mabamba Swamp is the shoebill stork, a large and unique bird that is highly sought after by birdwatchers. The swamp is one of the best places in Uganda to spot this elusive bird, and our experienced guides will help you locate and identify it. In addition to the shoebill, Mabamba Swamp is home to a wide variety of other bird species, including herons, egrets, kingfishers, and more. To fully experience Mabamba Swamp, we recommend taking a guided boat tour through the wetlands. This will give you a chance to see the birds up close and to appreciate the beauty of the swamp from a different perspective. Our boats are comfortable and safe, and our knowledgeable guides will share their expertise and insights about the wildlife and ecosystem. Aside from birdwatching, there are other activities to enjoy in Mabamba Swamp. You can take a nature walk along the trails that wind through the swamp, or try your hand at fishing in Lake Victoria. There are also opportunities to visit nearby villages and learn about the local culture and way of life. Visiting Mabamba Swamp is a unique and unforgettable experience, and Vas Transport is here to help you make the most of it. Our transportation services are reliable, efficient, and safe, and our experienced guides will ensure that you have a memorable and enjoyable trip. Contact us today to book your visit to this hidden gem of Uganda’s wildlife.
Bird watching at Mpanga Forest Eco-tourism site
Eco-tourism site at Mpanga Forest
Mpanga Forest
Mpanga Forest Eco-tourism site is situated 37km away from Kampala city, enroute to Masaka town. The Forest reserve was previously only reserved for scientific research. However today it is also a perfect destination for bird watching and a day or weekend escape from the city. It has over 550 tree species with some trees over 100 years old and over 220 bird species.
Birding excursion
Our 1 day excursion to this site was so exciting especially when it was time to see the shy White spotted fluff tail. It is not easy to see unless you imitate its calls. On our trip we were lucky to have Arshely Brian an avid birdwatcher on our birding team who can imitate the calls naturally. He managed to call it up several times for us to see.
You should have to see the anxious faces and smiles of the team before and after it was spotted. If you missed it, Brian was always ready to imitate its call so that you have a glimpse of this shy bird. It is always amazing to see him imitate the bird calls. You have to stand still or take cover like a sniper on a mission. This is done to avoid disturbing its presence when the White spotted fluff tail comes out of its hideout.The bird does not stay long since it has missed ‘meeting’ its imitator (bird) but for birders in the midst, the mission is accomplished.
Arshely Brian our expert bird imitator with a friend.
Our main mission of the day was bird watching so that we can polish our bird identification skills and also relax away from home. Our walk through the forest trail about 3km stretch to the swamp was worth it. It gave us a chance to enjoy the fresh air and also exercise your legs.
Forest Walk
During our forest walk to the swamp,we went off track,thus getting lost.We were lucky to meet young firewood harvesters who volunteered to lead us to the swamp. In this porous forest, firewood harvests are only allowed for fallen tree branches (i.e Old trees that fall naturally. Cutting of trees is illegal). This young team (Justine,Brian,Joel and Joram) with their dog in pursuit did well to show us some areas we had missed. We gave them a tip as a token of appreciation.
Bird watching
Bird watching is usually a rewarding adventure if you are patient. The birds seen on our day trip include: White spotted Flufftail ,Blue throated Roller ,Grosbeak Weaver ,Great spotted cuckoo ,Little Greenbul, Lizzad Buzzard, Marico Sunbird ,Green Hylia ,Western Nectar, Chestnut Wattle-eye ,White throated Greenbul, White throated Bee-eater ,Rufous Flycatcher Thrush ,Spotted Morning Thrush
Red headed Malimbe ,Splendid glossy Starling ,Green Backed Camaroptera, Red cheeked Cordon Bleu, Black and white Shrike Flycatcher ,African pied Wagtail , Vieillot’s black weaver ,Copper Sunbird, Scarlet Chested Sunbird ,Green Sunbird ,Pintailed Whydah.
Other bird species sighted included; Yellow throated Longclaw ,Eastern Plantain-eater, Brown backed Scrub Robin ,Dark capped Bulbul, Green throated Sunbird ,Northern grey headed Sparrow ,Black and white casqued Hornbill, Crowned Hornbill, Great blue Turaco, Blue throated roller, African Harrier Hawk, Ayres’ Hawk eagle, African Harrier Hawk.
We also sighted a Lesser bush baby and Red tailed monkeys.
Therefore a visit to the eco-tourism site is so rewarding that you have a full plate of activities like Forest walks, bird watching, butterfly identification and primate watching. You will also have a place to relax after a day’s adventure in the forest. Accommodation is available too for those who who like to spend more days away from home. It has double and twin rooms, space for camping and self catering facilities. For a day’s excursion,I recommend that you carry your own snacks.
Birding can be done twice in a day that is early morning when birds are still in their nests, leaving or hovering around their nests. In the evening when they return to their nests for a night’s rest.
Visit Mpambire trading centre for shopping on your way back for crafts. Items available for sale include Baskets, Mats, Drums, Stools and a variety of household tools.
Trip Destinations
You can extend your holiday to other exciting birding and wildlife destinations at Lake Mburo,Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Queen Elizabeth National Parks.
Birding at Sezibwa Falls in Uganda
Birding at Sezibwa Falls in Uganda
Sezibwa Falls
The falls are located in Buikwe district,off the Kampala-Jinja highway at Kayanja trading centre.It is 32 km east of the Ugandan Capital Kampala about an hour’s drive. It is a legendary Buganda Kingdom Cultural site.
It is a sacred place for traditional believers, who believe that if they visited this spot and performed their rituals, their problems will be solved especially those who want to give birth to twins. The traditionalists say they get solutions to their problems after the lapse of nine months thereafter one is expected to come back and give thanks.
Sezibwa History
Site Guide Tenywa, tells us that Sezibwa river flow was able to overcome rock obstacles along its path thus the name. It’s ability to overcome these obstacles impressed the natives at the time leading to a local phrase “Sizibwa Kkubo” meaning “nothing can stop me along my path”. The river flows through 5 districts namely Buikwe, Mukono, Kayunga, Luwero and Nakasongola and finally into Lake Kyoga.
Our guide Tenywa also tells us that there is an interesting legendary tale about the river associated with the falls . The source of this falls is a result one of the two tributaries namely Sezibwa. The two tributary formations, Sezibwa and Bwanda are locally known as Wasswa and Kato. The Baganda a tribe that lives in the area names boy twins Wasswa and Kato and Wasswa is usually the first born. Therefore River Sezibwa and twin Bwanda is believed to have been born by a barren woman who visited a traditional medicine man, who blessed her with twins in the 17th century.
Birding
Our birding visit was very rewarding. The captivating scenery with the falls welcomes you without hesitation. The singing birds too add to your relaxation at the site with different melodies. Our target on this trip was the shy elusive African Fin foot at the river side. However we first took another route in a different direction to catch up with other birds, thanks to our trip secretary Abia (with red hair style) who was celebrating her birthday(11/12/2016). She recorded the following birds below:
Buff-spotted Woodpecker,Northern Crombec,African Grey Parrot,Compact Weaver,Northern black Flycatcher,Diederik Cuckoo,Black Bishop,Western Yellow Wagtail,Dusky-blue Flycatcher,AfricanYellow Whiteeye,African blue Flycatcher,White chinned Prinia,Woodland Kingfisher,Crowned Hornbill,Eastern Plantain Eaters,Northern Grey headed Sparrow,Tambourine Dove,Lesser stripped Swallow,Hadada Ibis,Vieillot’s Black Weaver,Tawny Flanked Prinia,African Ground Thrush,Black and White Mannikin, Grey headed Nigrita,African PygmyKingfisher,African Paradise Flycatcher,Spectacled Weaver,Spotted Flycatcher,Yellow fronted Canary,Brown throated Wattle-eye,Fork tailed Drongo,Double toothed Barbet, Bronze Mannikin,Green throated Sunbird,African Golden breasted, Bunting Willow Warbler ,Speckled Tinkerbird,Scarlet chested Sunbird.
Others included the Splendid Starling,Black and White Casqued Hornbill,Great Blue Turaco,Dark capped Bulbul,Red eyed Dove,Red bellied Paradise Flycatcher,Rock Martin,Grey backed Camaroptera,Olive bellied Sunbird,Yellow Longbill,Palmnut Vulture,Grassland Pipit,Klaas’s Cuckoo,Cassin’s Honeyguide,White headed Sawwing,Collared Sunbird,Grey Woodpecker,Ross’s Turaco,Green Hylia,Fan tailed Widowbird, Gymnogene,White throated Bee-eater,Lizard Buzzard ,Pied crow , etc
We finally saw the Shining Blue Kingfisher and elusive African Finfoot at the river side nature walk trail. For the African Fin Foot it took us a while to track it, almost one hour and half. Waited patiently with the guidance of the site guide until we heard its call then the search started again this time determined to see it. My birding colleagues celebrated rather quietly to avoid scaring the target.
Other fauna sightings included; Red tailed Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, Tree Squirrel,
Nile Monitor Lizard.
Other activities for nature lovers include bird watching, Nature walks, hiking to the top of the falls and picnic retreats.
It was an exciting retreat for birding and we cannot wait for yet another birding excursion.Thanks to Birding birders team:Arshely Brian,Sylivia Akongo,Abia Atukwatse , Hamidah Nakato and Yakub Birungi.
Birding destinations
Other birding destinations in Uganda include;National Parks like Queen Elizabeth,Murchison Falls,Bwindi impenetrable,Lake Mburo and Mabamba marshland for the iconic Shoebill.
Salford Business School-Social media education
Your social media marketing education- Business School
Unrivaled corporate social responsibility. [Search and Social Media Marketing for International Business pilot MOOC]
I would like to thank you for the free tutorials on social media marketing. It is a great pleasure to have studied the course units related on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, GOOGLE+, You tube and Google Ad words.
I got to know Salford Business School through iversity MOCC #passion4digital.My interest was to understand how to use these social media platforms in the simplest way. I almost gave up the search but fortunately I landed on the Search and Social Media Marketing for International Business pilot MOOC]
Social Media Studies
Most studies available require you to pay a fee for studies. But Salford business school choose to offer it to the world for free. I have always sought similar studies on social media marketing but had not found information like this before. The additional notes below the videos demystified my understanding of the subject matter making it easier to use Facebook, Twitter, Google+, You tube and LinkedIn marketing and Google Ad words. This information has energized my efforts to always seek more knowledge about social media marketing.
My current digital presence
Being a digital marketing enthusiast in Uganda, I was able to start Facebook pages that market me and my tour business (https://www.facebook.com/yakub.birungi & https://www.facebook.com/Rafikisafarisug-1389546194617333/. My twitter accounts @araali2002 &@RafikiSafarisUg too were also dormant with less activity but currently I try my best to tweet. I am yet to update my LinkedIn account and use Google adwords.
I was able to start a personal website & blog on word press (https://vastransportug.com/ after reading examples of former Salford student Vanessa Van Huynh. It was a good wrap up of social media marketing information.
The course may not be a detailed/advanced course but for beginners it is a good foundation.
Lastly but not least the Social media marketing course was quite a worthwhile journey on my learning curve.
Thank you Salford Business School family.
Follow me on twitter and like my Facebook pages. I encourage the Salford Business School family & associates to consider Uganda as their first choice holiday destination in Africa for wildlife viewing,birding,sight seeing,gorilla and chimpanzee tracking.
Hippopotamus at Queen Elizabeth National Park Western Uganda.Photo dedicated to the Business and Tourism Management students.
Uganda the Birding Paradise in Africa
Uganda the Birding Paradise in Africa
The world has over 10,000 bird species,a tenth (est.over 1000 species) are found in Uganda.
Uganda is known as a unique birding destination.In each destination you visit,you will find a different bird specie.
The popular Birding destinations include:
1.Lake Mburo National Park
The birdlife in Lake Mburo is good all year-round. It is home to a variety of birds that includes the endemic African Finfoot. Other key species are the Papyrus Yellow Warbler, Saddle-billed Stork, Brown-chested Lapwing, African-wattled Lapwing, Carruther’s Cisticola, Tabora (Long-tailed) Cisticola, African Scops Owl, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill and White-winged Warbler,African Fish eagle.
African Fish Eagle
Saddle-billed Stork
2. Mabamba Wetland Sanctuary.
Mabamba Bay is home to a a variety of bird species over 300, including the elusive Shoe bill Bird. Bird species found in this place include the Blue Swallow, White-winged Tern, Gull-billed Tern and papyrus endemic bird species such as Papyrus Gonolek and Papyrus Yellow Warbler.Other birds include the Heron, Squacco Heron, Lesser Jacana, Spur-winged Goose. It is a designated Ramsar site and an Important Bird Area .
Shoe Bill
3.Murchison Falls National Park
Is gifted with the powerful Murchison falls, an attractive scenery to visitors. It hosts a number of bird species that includes; the Swallow-tailed and Red-throated Bee-eaters, Woodland, Pied, Giant and Malachite Kingfishers, Francolin; Hornbills, Grey heron, Hamerkop,Shrikes; Flycatchers, Cuckoos, Woodpeckers, Crombecs and Warblers, ducks, geese, stilts and plovers.
Malachite Kingfisher
4. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Is home to half of the world’s Gorillas (est.400) and a habitat of an estimated 350 bird species. 23 are endemic to the Albertine Rift. Other birds include the Handsome Francolin, Black-billed Turaco, African Broadbill, Black and Cinnamon-chested Bee-eaters, Western Green Tinkerbird, Purple-breasted, Blue-headed and Regal Sunbirds.
Cinnamon -chested Bee eater
5. Semuliki Valley National Park
This is a popular destination for migrant birds from west Africa.Birds include Black Dwarf Hornbill, White-crested Hornbill, Black-casqued Wattled Horbill, Red-rumped Tinkerbird, African Piculet, White-throated Blue Swallow, Yellow-throated Nicator, Leaf-love, Swamp Palm Bulbul, Lemon-bellied Crombec, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Crested Malimbe, Red-bellied Malimbe, Blue-billed malimbe, Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch, Orange-cheeked Waxbill.
6.Queen Elizabeth National Park
Is home to over 600 species. Key species include the Martial Eagle, Black-rumped Buttonquail, African Skimmer, Chapin’s Flycatcher, Pinkbacked Pelican, African Broadbill, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl, Black Bee-eater, White-tailed Lark, White-winged Warbler, Papyrus Gonolek, Papyrus Canary, Corncrake, Lesser and Greater Flamingo.
African Skimmer
Semuliki Hot Springs-famous water bubbling attraction
Semuliki Hot springs
The hot springs found in Semuliki are a famous attraction in Uganda. They can be visited all year round. Most prominent of them is the “female hotspring “. It has water bubbling up to about 2 meters high creating a steam cloud. Its’s counterpart the male hotspring steams all year round at Semuliki National Park.
Male Hot spring.
You can visit the park any time throughout the year.It is about 390km away from the Ugandan capital Kampala.
Tourists at the hot springs can boil eggs that get ready in 8 minutes. Enjoy an egg snack later when ready.
Do not miss a chance to take a photograph of yourself or with fellow travellers near the female hot springs.
Birding paradise
Semuliki is also a famous birding habitat with a record of 441 bird species. The species to look for may include, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, Crested Malimbe, Red-bellied Malimbe, Blue-billed malimbe, Black-casqued Wattled Horbill, Yellow-throated Cuckoo, Piping Hornbill, Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill, Black Dwarf Hornbill, White-crested Hornbill, , Lemon-bellied Crombec. Other bird species include;Red-rumped Tinkerbird, African Piculet, White-throated Blue Swallow, Yellow-throated Nicator, Leaf-love, Swamp Palm Bulbul ,Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch, Orange-cheeked Waxbill.
Primates
Primates such as the chimpanzee, baboon,grey-cheeked mangabey, black-and-white colobus, Central African red colobus, blue, red-tailed, de Brazza’s, Vervet monkey, and Dent’s mona monkeys.
The batwa people are the natives of Semuliki who have been recently relocated near the park to give way to this wildlife conservation area. They are naturally hunters and had always sought food, medicine, shelter and working tools from the forest. Their life style is changing since their relocation. However they have maintained their folklore stories and dances that are part of their rich cultural history.
A visit to Semuliki National Park can be combined with other safari destinations to Queen Elizabeth and Kibale Forest National Parks.
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