1 Day Mabamba Swamp Birding Tour – Shoebill stork & Boat ride
This 1 Day Mabamba Swamp Birding Tour takes you on Uganda birding safari to Mabamba Swamp which is one of the best and most accessible Uganda birding spots from both Kampala and Entebbe.
The swamps extends 16,500 hectare of papyrus swamp and is situated on the northern shores of Lake Victoria – the largest fresh water lake in Africa, the swamp is listed as a Ramsar- Wetland of International Importance and Important Bird Area with over 300 recorded bird species including the remarkable pre-historic shoebill.
Mabamba Swamp has proven to be the most reliable and convenient place in the world to catch a rare glimpse of rare shoebill in its natural habitat. The shoebill is the most famous avian resident and the prime attraction to Uganda and a prime attraction to the country for most birders and nature lovers.
Highlights
- Bird watching of over 300 species
- Spotting the rare shoebill stork in its natural habitat
- Photography
- Boat ride along the papyrus fringed channels of Mabamba Swamp
- Enjoy scenic view of Africa’s largest lake and Mabamba Swamp
Detailed Itinerary
Transfer from Kampala or Entebbe
You will set off early in the morning at around 6.00 am, your drive from Kampala or Entebbe to Mabamba Swamp will take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Boat Tour In Search of Shoebills
On reaching the swamp, you will embark on birding adventure in search of a very special bird – the prehistoric shoebill stork, the birding tour will be done on wooden engine powered fishing boat.
On this tour, you will be accompanied by a local birding guide who has expertise in paddling through the narrow water channels surrounded by dense swamp vegetation. The prime target is the legendary Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex), this scarily prehistoric – looking Uganda bird captures the imagination because it really does look like the dinosaurs.
The shoebill is a huge bird measuring up to 1.5 meters tall and with a wingspan of up to 2.5 meters, it is named after its massive bill which some say looks like a shoe and which can grow up to 24 cm long and 20 cm wide.
These birds are mostly silent, however the use their huge bill to make loud, scary clattering sounds to communicate with other birds.
The shoebill also known as the shoebill stork is a solitary bird living alone in marshy swap areas where it can sit still, waiting for fish, frogs and water snakes for long periods without moving. This charismatic species – the only representative of its family is certainly amongst the most highly prized birds in the world.
Other water birds abound and you should find in the swamp including several species of herons, egrets and waterfowl. The ever-present African fish eagle, blue-breasted bee-eater, African marsh harrier, purple swamphen, long-toed lapwing, African and the tricky lesser jacanas, Malachite kingfisher and African pygmy Goose.
Mabamba Swamp also holds the endearing Swamp Flycatcher, Blue headed Coucal, Greater and white-winged swamp warblers, Grey – capped Warbler, the indescribable Papyrus Gonolek and the nomadic and unpredictable Weyn’s Weaver. If you are lucky, you may also see the rare Sitatunga, a shy swamp-dwelling antelope with splayed hooves.
Birding The Surrounding
Thereafter, you will go for birding in the surrounding grasslands, papyrus swamps and farm bush. Here you might expect to see the funky-looking long crested eagle perched a top telephone poles, Wahlberg’s Eagle, plam nut vulture, hovering black-winged kite, African Harrier – Hawk, Lizard Buzzard, the impressive Great Blue Turaco, Raucous Eastern Plantain-Eater, black and white Casqued Hornbill and floppy flighted crowned and African pied Hornbills, dazzling blue woodland kingfisher, broad – billed Roller, Borwn throated Wattle eye, Angola and the endangered Blue Swallows among others.
Lunch at Nkima Forest Lodge
After your thrilling birding adventure, you will enjoy lunch at the nearby Nkima Forest Lodge which is named after a Luganda name of the red-tailed monkeys which leap about in the trees. After lunch, you will return to Entebbe or Kampala for your onward travels.
End of the Tour.
Tour inclusions
- Transportation in 4×4 Safari Vehicle
- English Speaking bird guide
- Canoe ride fees
- Birding Fees
- Wi-Fi internet on board the safari vehicle
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- Rolex snack on request
- Pick up and drop off at a hotel in Kampala or Entebbe
Tour Exclusions
- International flight
- Your Uganda Visa Fees
- Items of Personal nature
- Gratuities and tips
- Other beverages/drinks
- Insurance
- Other extras not mentioned in the itinerary above
Things to Carry
- Binocular
- Camera with additional battery and charge
- Safari hunt
- Sunscreen
- Snacks
- Light rain jacket
- Insect repellent
- Good shoes
- Field guide book