Duration & Theme: A 1-day specialized birdwatching and eco-safari dedicated to tracking the rare, prehistoric Shoebill stork in its natural wetland habitat on Lake Victoria.
Key Destinations & Activities:
- Shoebill & Bird Watching: Search for the iconic shoebill and spot over 300 recorded bird species (including African pygmy geese, jacanas, and African fish eagles) as well as the rare swamp-dwelling sitatunga antelope.
- Wetland Navigation: Enjoy a motorized boat ride across Lake Victoria, followed by poling through narrow, water-lily-covered papyrus channels in traditional wooden canoes.
What’s Included: Cross-lake motorized transit, wooden canoe channel excursion, services of a specialized local community birding guide, RAMSAR site community conservation fees, boat captain fees, and bottled drinking water.
Best Suited For: Birdwatchers, wildlife photographers, nature enthusiasts, and travelers looking for an easy, high-reward day tour near Entebbe or Kampala.
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Car, Bus, Airlines
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3 Star Hotel
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5,416 metres
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Entebbe
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Feb, Mar, Apr & May
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Eco-Tour, Hiking
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All meals during the trek
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English
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Easy to Moderate
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2-15
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3
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65
Overview
Mabamba Swamp is possibly the most reliable spot in Uganda, and for that matter in any accessible part of Africa, to see the iconic shoebill.
A wetland that lies on the northern shore of Lake Victoria and is informally protected by a community run ecotourism project.
Shoebills are the star attraction, but visits to Mabamba regularly yield sightings of 50-odd bird species.
Highlights
- Mabamba Swamp lies a little more than 10km/6mi east of Entebbe and its international airport as the crow flies.
- The quickest way to get between the two is by boat, on an organized motorboat tour.
- It is also possible to drive, but you need to allow around 90 minutes to cover the roughly 50km/30km road route via the town of Kisubi, much of which is on dirt.
- Theoretically, you can drive from Entebbe to Mabamba more directly using the Nakiwogo Sazi car ferry, but in reality, this often results in long delays.
