1 Day Shoebill Birding Trip to Mabamba is a short 1 day Uganda safari tour that has travelers visiting on a 1 Day Mabamba Trip to encounter bird species including the rare shoebill stork. This 1 Day Shoebill Birding Trip to Mabamba has you waking up early to catch a boat transfer to Mabamba wetland.

Early Morning: Drive to Mabamba Wetland (2 hours), Bird Watching (2-3 hours), Transfer back.

Marachite Kingfisher – Alcedo cristata (Lake Victoria)
Mabamba swamp is about 50 Km from Kampala on the north edge of Lake Victoria. Mabamba swamp is one of Uganda’s 33 Important Birding Areas and a Ramsar-listed wetland of international importance hosting key protected bird species. Mabamba wetland hosts about 200 bird species.

Of the 200 bird species in the area, the shoebill is the most popular attraction. Other birds in the area are: the Blue Swallow, Papyrus Gonolek, Malachite Kingfisher, Swamp Flycatcher, Common Moorhen, Lesser Jacana, African Jacana, African Pygmy Goose, White- faced whistling Duck, Common Squacco Heron, Blue- breasted Bee-eater, Saddle billed Stork, Grey-headed Gulls and more.

Mabamba Bay is a unique extensive marsh stretching along a narrow bay, fringed with papyrus towards the main body of Lake Victoria. It lies between Busi Island and Buwaya/Zziba village on the mainland. The marshland forms part of Buwaya Bay, South-west of Nakiwogo Bay both of which are located west of Entebbe International Airport.

Birding in Mabamba is a full day activity. A canoe ride through papyrus swamp will take you at the best locations for viewing the Shoebill bird among other rare Africa birds. It is worth noting that the Shoebill can easily be seen in the morning as it stands motionless targeting lungfish, its staple food. So it’s important to have an early breakfast and we pick you from your hotel by 6:00am.

After the birding experience, you return to your hotel in the afternoon, after having a sumptuous lunch at a selected restaurant.

1 Day Shoebill Birding Trip to Mabamba Prices are inclusive of:

  • Transport
  • Canoe hire
  • Guide
  • Lunch
  • Water