Birding in Mabamba Swamps Uganda
Birding in Mabamba Swamps Uganda : Discover Uganda’s Most Popular Exotic and Rare Bird named Uganda’s Rare Shoebill Stork. Everything you know and have heard about Uganda is True and Not….Uganda The Pearl of Africa! Let’s start by travelling to Mabamba Swamp for birding in Uganda.
Mabamba Swamp is a well-protected international wetland situated west side of Entebbe on the northern shores of Lake Victoria in Uganda harboring over 300 bird species with a high concentration of the exclusive iconic Shoebill Stork which is the most sought for bird in Uganda hence a prime destination for birding.
It is a natural wetland consisting of thick marshes, papyrus trails, grasses, water lily pads and lagoons on the northern shores of Lake Victoria covering 2424 ha.
The name Mabamba originates from the local Luganda word for Lungfish called Emamba which fish is found in this swamp.
Travel to Mabamba Wetland by water From Entebbe Nakiwogo/ Port Alice station on a speed engine Water Boat taking about 45 minutes to reach the wetland entrance then jump onto a traditional motorized wooden Canoe to search for the exclusive Shoebill Stork or alternatively travel by road for about 2 hours using Kampala-Masaka Highway to Mpigi then branch off to the left drive to Mabamba Wetlands or another way is by road using Nakawuka- Kasanje road from Kampala then a boat.
Birding in Mabamba Wetlands is best done on a traditional Motorized wooden Canoe thrilling and navigating through the lily pads and papyrus trails of the swamp as well as cutting the thick marshes to search for a rare Shoebill Stork.
The traditional Motorized wooden Canoe is normally operated by the local guides who have grown up in the area and are familiar with the wetland ecosystem.
Mabamba swamp can be visited all year round in the different seasons in Uganda but the most ideal times is during the dry season in the months of August to September, December, January and February in order to watch the Shoebill very well since in the months of June, July are the nesting season and here the Shoebill Stork tend to stay deep in the swamp hence are harder to spot.
Consider doing with us a one-day tour Shoebill Stork birding Experience in Mabamba Wetlands with other bird views such as Kingfishers, swallows, migratory birds and other papyrus bird species
Pricing Range between $70 to $150.
