Transfer From Kampala or Entebbe
Your Mabamba Swamp birding tour starts early, with pickup at around 6:00 am, so you reach the swamp while birds are most active. The drive from Kampala takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, and it's shorter from Entebbe.
Boat Tour in Search of the Shoebill during the Mabamba Swamp Birding Tour.
At the swamp, you board a wooden motorised boat with an experienced local birding guide, who steers you through narrow channels surrounded by dense papyrus.
The main target is the legendary shoebill (Balaeniceps rex). With its huge bill and prehistoric look, it's easy to see why many people say it looks like a dinosaur.
The shoebill stands up to 1.5 metres tall and has a wingspan of up to 2.5 metres. It's named after its massive shoe-shaped bill, which can grow up to 24 cm long and 20 cm wide. Shoebills are mostly silent, but they clatter their bills loudly to communicate.
The shoebill lives alone in the marshes, standing perfectly still for long periods while it waits for fish, frogs and water snakes. As the only member of its family, it is one of the most prized birds in the world for birdwatchers.
The swamp is also full of other water birds. Look out for herons, egrets and waterfowl, the ever-present African Fish Eagle, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, African Marsh Harrier, Purple Swamphen, Long-toed Lapwing, African and Lesser Jacanas, Malachite Kingfisher and African Pygmy Goose.
The papyrus holds the Swamp Flycatcher, Blue-headed Coucal, Greater and White-winged Swamp Warblers, Grey-capped Warbler, the striking Papyrus Gonolek and the nomadic Weyn's Weaver. With luck, you may even spot the sitatunga, a shy swamp antelope with splayed hooves.
Birding the Surrounding Area
After the boat trip, you explore the nearby grasslands, papyrus edges and farmland. Look for the Long-crested Eagle perched on telephone poles, Wahlberg's Eagle, Palm-nut Vulture, Black-winged Kite, African Harrier-Hawk and Lizard Buzzard.
Other highlights include the Great Blue Turaco, Eastern Plantain-eater, Black-and-white Casqued Hornbill, Crowned and African Pied Hornbills and the bright blue Woodland Kingfisher.
You may also see the Broad-billed Roller, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Angola Swallow and the endangered Blue Swallow, Splendid and Rüppell's Starlings, Sooty Chat, Grey-backed Fiscal, Scarlet-chested and Red-chested Sunbirds and the Pin-tailed Whydah. If you missed the scarce Weyn's Weaver in the swamp, this is another chance to find it.
Lunch at Nkima Forest Lodge
The tour ends with lunch at nearby Nkima Forest Lodge, named in Luganda after the red-tailed monkeys that play in its trees. After lunch, we drive you back to Kampala or Entebbe for your onward travel.
Want to stay the night and go birding again at dawn? See our guide to places to stay in Mabamba. For longer trips, explore our Uganda birding tours.
What to Bring
- Binoculars
- Camera, with a spare battery and charger
- Safari hat
- Sunscreen
- Light rain jacket
- Insect repellent
- Comfortable closed shoes
- Snacks and a bird field guide
Mabamba Swamp Birding Tour: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are my chances of seeing a shoebill at Mabamba?
Chances are very good, as Mabamba is one of the most reliable shoebill sites in Africa. Sightings depend on the birds' movements and water levels, so they can't be guaranteed, but our local guides know where the shoebills usually feed.
2. What is the best time to visit Mabamba Swamp?
Birding is good all year. Early morning is best, when birds are most active and the light is soft for photography. The dry months of June to August and December to February make access easiest.
3. How far is Mabamba Swamp from Kampala and Entebbe?
Mabamba is about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Kampala by road, and closer to Entebbe. That makes it an easy day trip, or a great add-on at the start or end of a longer safari.
4. Can I combine this tour with other Uganda safaris?
Yes. Many guests visit Mabamba on their first or last day in Uganda. It combines well with our short Uganda safaris and gorilla safaris.
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- 4-Day Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari
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Continue Planning Your Mabamba Swamp birding Tour or any Safari.
Ready to see the shoebill? Browse our safari itineraries for more trips across Uganda and East Africa.
Prefer a trip built around your dates and budget? Use our Build My Safari planner, and our team will design a trip that fits.
Have questions about this tour? Contact us for a free quote. You can also call or WhatsApp us on +256 782 915 447, or email info@tulambule.com.
