Mabira Central Forest Reserve stretches along the road between Kampala and Jinja and is managed by the National Forestry Authority (NFA). Griffin Falls Camp lies inside the forest near Lugazi, in Buikwe District. It is not in Jinja.
Mabira is one of the largest natural forests left in central Uganda. Step off the busy highway and the noise fades into birdsong, the calls of red-tailed monkeys and the sound of water. Birders come for forest hornbills and hard-to-find species such as Nahan’s partridge, and grey-cheeked mangabeys live in the trees. Mabira also has a proud place in Uganda’s story: in 2007 many Ugandans spoke out to protect it from being cleared, and the forest stayed.
Griffin Falls Camp is run by a local community group that protects the forest and supports nearby villages. The camp’s activities are included in your trip, so what you pay goes to the community that runs them.
Mabira is open all year. The drier months, December to February and June to August, make the trails easier.
Allow 1.5 to 2 hours from Kampala, depending on traffic, and about 1 hour more from Entebbe. Griffin Falls Camp is about 10 km off the Kampala to Jinja highway near Lugazi. Jinja is about 30 minutes further east. Our open day trips leave from Oryx Fuel Station, Lugogo, in Kampala.
The highway is busy with heavy trucks, so early starts help. Trails get muddy in the rains: wear closed shoes. Facilities at the camp are basic but friendly. The forest walk to the falls is easy, Level 2, so the day suits most ages and fitness levels.
Shady forest trails, Griffin Falls, zip lines and birdsong in one of central Uganda's largest natural forests, near Lugazi.
