Mpanga Central Forest Reserve is a natural forest with rare tree species and other flora species. Among the many tree species includes; the ficus family and Mahogany. The Celtis family species with the large buttresses, this forest boosts lots of primates especially the red tailed monkeys, the nocturnal tours can be arranged to view the bush babies. Yyou can also find lots of bird life here including; the Grey Parrot, Owls, Hornbills, Cuckoos. Ross Turaco and Weaver-birds, also this forest is a home to a variety of Butterflies and Moths.
The main activities carried out from this forest include; bird watching as well as identification. The forest trails are so well developed into major four main routings including; the butterfly trail, the family trail, hornbill trail, as well as the baseline trail. The accommodation facilities present here include; one tourist banda, a self contained Duplex as well as a double room on the main office block that can accommodate over 12 visitors at once. There is a tent for hire at a cheap fee. These are known to be self contained facilities though light meals can be ordered from the house care taker.
This forest is situated in Mpigi district 37 km from the city centre of Kampala city. Its easily accessible through the main Kampala – Masaka highway. It’s also 1 km from the roam head using a well surfaced direct road passable throughout the year.
The dominant tree species in Mpanga Forest is the hard and weather resistant Celtis. Mpanga Forest is surrounded by a community of traditional drum makers who look for the soft trees that are suitable for the drum making, and therefore the undesirable hard Celtis trees have so much saved the forest from exploitation by the drum makers. The communities however do still depend on the forest for firewood, charcoal, fruits, tree poles and medicinal herbs among others.
Tourist activities in Mpanga Forest:
There are several tourist activities which are done in Mpanga forest and the common ones include
- Birding- about 500 bird species are found in Mpanga forest. It’s a strategic birding destination in Uganda since its 1 hours drive from Kampala city. Birders start with briefing and thereafter, they go through clear birding trails to encounter birds in their natural habitat- about 50 bird species are expected to be seen at the end of the trail is a water body which are known as the colonies of the great shoebills.
Other birds to encounter in Mpanga Forest include:
Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Black-headed Heron, Purple Heron, Hadada Ibis, Egyptian Goose, Black Kite, Palmnut Vulture, Lizard Buzzard, African Harrier-Hawk, Wahlberg’s Eagle, Crested Guineafowl, White-spotted Flufftail, African Green-Pigeon, Red-eyed Dove, Grey Parrot, Great Blue Turaco, Red-chested Cuckoo, Diederik Cuckoo, Klaas’s Cuckoo, Yellowbill, African Palm Swift, White-rumped Swift, Speckled Mousebird, Pied Kingfisher, White-breasted Nigrofinch, Woodland Kingfisher, Shining-blue Kingfisher, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Crowned Hornbill, African Pied Hornbill, Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, Yellow-throated Tinkerbird, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Yellow-crested Woodpecker, African Shrike-flycatcher, Narina Trogon, Lesser Striped Swallow, African Pied Wagtail, Yello-throated Longclaw, Western Nicator, Common Bulbul, Little Greenbul, White-headed Sawwing, Winding Cisticola, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher, Fire-crested Aleth, Red-tailed Bristilebill, Black Cuckoo, Bronze Sunbird, Copper Sunbird, Green-headed Sunbird, Superb Sunbird, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Variable Sunbird, Bronze Mannikin, Splendid Starling, Rupell’s Long-tailed Starling, Grey-headed Sparrow, Black-headed Weaver, Brown-capped Weaver, Weyns’s Weaver, Vieillot’s Black Weaver, Red-headed Malimbe, Grey-headed Negrofinch, Purple Stirling, Pin-tailed Whydah, Western Citril, Diederik Cuckoo, Compact Weaver, Yellow-fronted Canary.
- Forest walks – you can book a day trip or night walk in Mpanga walk. Day forest walks will expose you to the unique tree species, the beautiful birds, the tree canopies, butterflies, insects, monkeys and so on. Alternatively, guests can spend the overnight in the forest (Camping sites and Cottages are available). Guided nocturnal walks enables visitor to see bushbabies, pottos, owls and leopards among others.
- Night camping can also be arranged for one to watch the bush babies which feed at night. Guests can sit around camp fires and feel the nature
- Guided tours to Kiganda shrines located 1km from the eco-tourism centre and the Nakibinge. In the shrine, you will be a midst the sprits and be ready to go back with spiritual blessings.
- Hill climbing – The flat-topped hill situated south of the road offers attractive views over the forest and surrounding valleys.
There are a number of trails used to explore Mpanga forest:
-Butterfly trail – It’s a 1km trail dominated by many animals and vegetation. This 30 minutes’ walk exposes guest to leopards, monkeys, bushbabies and so on.
-The baseline loop – this trail enables visitors see clearly, the forest canopies and a common birding site. Do you want to explore the nearby community? baseline trail is the best alternative for mountain biking as well.
-The hornbill trail – this is the best trail to explore Mpanga Forest. The trail enables visitors to see the series of hills, forest streams, snakes, butterflies, a variety of birds, monkeys, buttresses, fungi, root structures among others.
Accommodation in Mpanga Forest
Mpanga Ecotourism Campsite – There are 2 double rooms, 2 twin rooms, 8 bedded dormitory and good place for camping. Meals and camp fire are also provided.
How to reach Mpanga Forest
You can organize private or public means; the forest is situated a long Masaka road in Mpigi district and easily accessible.
You will be offloaded at the signage of Mpanga Eco Tourism Site and it is only about 1km from here, on a dirt road to the forest and this you walk it or take a motor cycle ride (bodaboda).