Overview
Mabamba marsh, also known as Mabamba wetland or Mabamba bay, is located on the outskirts of Lake Victoria in western Uganda. The Shoebill is reported to exist in four countries: Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Zambia, however it is most commonly observed in Uganda’s Mabamba wetland. Mabamba Wetland may be reached by automobile from either Kampala or Entebbe, or by boat from Entebbe.
Whole Day
The journey to Mabamba from Entebbe or Kampala takes around an hour, depending on how many birding stops you make. You must leave your hotel very early in order to avoid traffic and to avoid overheating, which affects bird activity.
You may reach the swamp by boat from Entebbe; once there, you disembark and join the canoe to reach the likely site of the shoebill.
This one-day birding excursion will be primarily spent in a powered traditional canoe, navigating over overgrown papyrus in search of the Shoebill. A Mabamba area site guide will join the team to advise on the likely locations of several rare bird species in this region.
Many additional bird species may be seen in the neighborhood and in the marsh for seasoned birders. Water birds abound, particularly migrating birds from Europe.
In addition to the famous Shoebill, look for Angola Swallow, Swamp Flycatcher, Olive bellied Sunbird, Grey-rumped Swallow, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, African Jacana, African Fish Eagle, Long-tailed Cormorant, Yellow-billed Duck, Malachite Kingfisher, Glossy Ibis, White-winged Tern, Hamerkop, White-faced Whistling-Duck, Spur-winged Goose, Crowned Hornbill, African Pied, Common Squacco Heron, Red-billed Firefinch, and more species
After seeing the most sought-after bird in Uganda, you will bird your way back to your accommodation, pausing at several spots of interest to see if you missed any other species on your journey to Mabamba marsh.
