The best time to see the shoebill stork in Mabamba is during the dry season when these birds have to come out of the deep ends of the swamp to search for food and other supplies. The early mornings of each day may provide the best time of the days to see the shoebill when less fishing activity is happening.
Even the water is calm during the dry season when there are fewer winds to roughen the surface. The dry season is normally June, July, August, September, December, January and early February.
During the dry season even taking photographs or filming of the shoebill and other swamp, birds gets easier since you can use any angles to capture these wild birds.
Mabamba Swamp is located about 12 kilometers from Entebbe and is a great Uganda birding destination from the airport at Entebbe. The island can be accessed by boat and the local community members close to this swamp are ready to assist at a small fee. In 2006, Mabamba Swamp was recognized as a RAMSA site. As this swamp protects a good population of the shoebill that feeds on its lungfish.
The way to Mabamba swamp is narrow and either side of the path has different water plants.
How To Get To Mabamba Swamp For Shoebill Stork Viewing?
By Boat
By using a motorboat from Nakiwogo landing site in Entebbe, you head to Busi Island. From here, you get in touch with a local guide to lead the way to Mabamba Landing site. This is the shortest way to Mabamba Swamp.
By road
From Kisubi take the road to Nakawuka then Kasenge from where you are drive to Mabamba Swamp. This route may take about 2 hours drive.
What Else to See In Mabamba Swamp other than the shoebill stork?
Other than the shoebill stork, Mabamba swamp also hosts several other birds including Crowned Waxbill, Double Toothed Barbet, African Fire Finch, Great White Egrets, Common Moorhen, Grey Parrot, Blue Swallow, African Marsh Harrier and others.
Where else to do birding in Uganda?
Uganda is a birding haven in Africa with an unrivaled list of birds exceeding 1000 species. The long list of bird species in Uganda is attributed to the several habitats favor their existence. No other birding destination in Africa matches the amazing diversity of habitats and its richness is reflected in the ever-burgeoning bird list.
Some of the other Uganda birding destinations include
Murchison Falls National Park
Birding in Murchison Falls National Park is never a disappointment but it is enhanced by the variety of wildlife and scenic landscapes like the Murchison Falls for which the park gets its name. when you stroll through the dry thorn shrub between Red Chilli Rest Camp and the ferry crossing, you may get the opportunity to spot birds like the Blue Bellied Warblers, Black headed Gonolet, Vitelline Masked Weaver, Green Winged Pytilia. During the launch trip on Victoria Nile, you may spot several birds a shore like African skimmers, African Fish Eagle, Grey Crowned Crane and others. Chances of spotting the shoebill stork may be available closer to Nile Safari Camp out of the Park boundary.
Murchison Falls National Park is also one of the best Uganda game safari destinations, the launch cruise to Murchison Falls is mesmerizing as you get closer to the world’s strongest falls, chimpanzee trekking in Kaniyo Pabidi forest and others.
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Seating astride the floor of the rift valley is Queen Elizabeth National Park with one of the longest list of bird species. Queen Elizabeth National Park hosts over 605 bird species and the list is still expanding. This long list of bird species is accredited to the various habitats where these birds thrive like the savannah and wetland to gallery and lowland forest.
The Edward flats in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park offer an opportunity to see saddle bill storks and others. Chances of spotting the shoebill stork may be available at Kazinga Channel Swamp.
The Kazinga Channel is a natural magnet to a variety of birds including foreign migrants and Albertine rift endemics. During the launch cruise on Kazinga channel from the banks, you may spot birds like the African Open Billed stork, African fish eagle, Great and long-tailed Cormorants, Common Squacco Heron, Swamp Flycatcher, Yellow-backed Weaver and others.
From the Baboon Cliff, chances of spotting raptors are more open like Lion Day, Temminck’s Courser, Collared Pratincole, Snake Eagle, Bateleur and others
While in Queen Elizabeth National Park, you may also engage in game drives with chances of spotting the lions, leopards, waterbucks, bushbucks, hyenas and others. Enjoying the scenic crater lakes region in Queen Elizabeth National Park is rewarding.
Kibale National Park
Kibale forest may be famous for hosting the largest population of chimpanzees in Uganda but is a great Uganda birding destination too hosting over 325 bird species. This tropical rainforest protects a large block of rainforest birds.
When you take a walk along the main road from the Kanyanchu visitor center to the bridge, there is a variety of birds you may spot. Some of the birds common to this area include scarce Grey headed Olive Back, Green-backed twin Spot, Handsome Francolin, Black and white Mannikin and others.
A visit to the Bigodi Sanctuary opens more chances to see the shoebill stork and other birds.
Kibale forest is also a host to about 13 primate species including the chimpanzees, blue monkeys, L’hoest’s, Potto, vevert monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, bush babies and others.
Mabira Forest
Mabira forest is a great birding destination in Uganda. This natural forest is vast although human encroachment, deforestation and agriculture are taking a huge toll on it. While birding in Mabira forest, you may spot birds like Red-faced woodland, Western Green Tinkerbird and others.
From Mabira forest, you can proceed to visit the source of River Nile in Jinja. The drama at the point where River Nile water furiously departs from calm Lake Victoria water leaves you wondering what is happening beneath this point.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi forest is famous for hosting the mountain gorillas but is a Uganda birding haven too. More than 350 bird species are residents of Bwindi forest including Albertine rift endemics. Ruhija sector of Bwindi is the most interesting location for birding in this forest so keen birders can use the double opportunity to do gorilla trekking and birding too.
While on birding adventure in Bwindi forest, you may have chance to spot birds like Red-faced woodland Warblers, African Hill Babbler, white-tailed Crested Flycatcher, Collared Apalises, Mountain Masked and chestnut throated Apalises, Cinnamon chested Bee-eaters and others.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four gorilla trekking areas that is Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo but you need to book a gorilla permit first. Gorilla habituation experience is also happening in Bwindi forest where four hours are allowed in the presence of a semi-habituated gorilla family. You also need a gorilla habituation permit first.
Mgahinga National Park
Placed in the far southwestern part of Uganda is Mgahinga National Park. This park hosts mountain gorillas but is a growing birding destination too as over 115 bird species have so far been identified as residents of this forest.
During a Uganda birding safari to Mgahinga National Park, taking the gorge trail which loops halfway up mountain Sabyinyo opens more chances to spotting a variety of bird species. Some of the birds that may be seen in Mgahinga National Park include Malachite Sunbirds, Montane Double Collared Sunbirds, Alpine Chat, Rwenzori Turaco and others.
Mpanga forest
Mpanga forest is located along the Kampala to Masaka Road but is a great birding destination on the outskirts of Kampala city. While on a Uganda birding safari to Mpanga forest, you may spot birds like the Red faced Woodland Wablers, Vitelline Masked Weaver and others.
Is Birding in Mabamba Swamp Safe?
In terms of security, Mabamba Swamp is safe as it is close to a landing site however carrying your variables while searching for the shoebill stork may not be a great idea. While on the boat ride, you need to secure your safety gear and abide by the instructions given by the boat captain and birding guide.
The path taken to gain access to the location of the shoebill stork is quite narrow so prepare yourself for this adventure.
How Long Does It Take To Locate The Shoebill In Mabamba Swamp?
Finding the shoebill stork in Mabamba Swamp depends on the conditions prevailing in this area. Mabamba so far has about 12 shoebills and although initially they were many, the locals killed them as they were regarded as an omen.
Locally, the shoebill is called Bulwe and these feed on fish yet lungfish is the commonest fish species of Mabamba swamp. The competition for fish between the local fishermen and the shoebill lead to the death of several of these elusive birds in the past.
Finding the shoebill stork of Mabamba swamp may depend on the weather condition of the day, proximity of their food, local community interference and much more. Birders are requested to bear some level of patience before finding the shoebills.
What Guarantees Seeing The Shoebill In Mabamba Swamp?
Seeing the shoebill in Mabamba Swamp as mentioned earlier is a probability adventure but there are higher chances. The shoebill stork hunts for fish as the meal for the day so they have to move through different parts of the Swamp.
In case humans hunt down the shoebills, this reduces on the chance of spotting them although people of Mabamba swamp are trying to protect them at the moment. Some more sensitization about the relevance of protecting these ancient birds and their habitats is still needed.
Other than the shoebill stork, look out for other water birds that Mabamba Swamp hosts to expand on the list of birds.
Is Birding In Mabamba Swamp Difficult?
The Uganda Birding safari in Mabamba Swamp is quite challenging especially if you have to film or take photographs because this is a swamp. To get to the location where the shoebill may be suspected to be, you need a canoe boat which sometimes may not be in great condition.
In case it rains during the search for the shoebill, the water surface may become rough or you may get wet in case it is a heavy downpour.
Swamps harbor other dangerous wild animals like water snakes, stinging insects that may hurt you so you need to be careful too
What to Pack For a Birding Safari to Uganda ( Mabamba Swamp)
- A pair of binoculars to capture a better view of these birds.
- Raincoat or poncho in case it rains while on the Island or on the boat to Mabamba swamp.
- Camera to take photos and keep memories of this holiday experience.
- Toiletries in case your skin is sensitive.
- Safari hat with a large foldable brim to protect your head from buzzing insects.
- Sunglasses to protect your eyes from the strong sunrays.
- Sunscreen to cover your body from Ultra Violet rays
- Backpack or rack sack to keep in your belongings
- Some hard cash for on ground purchases
- A torch for lighting while at night
- Flip flops to change into after a long day
- Extra clothes to change into after a long day of activities
- Warm wear because it gets so sold very early morning and afternoon
- Beach wear to use for swimming in the water at the beach of Ngamba Island
- Pair of stockings to wear in your safari boots or canvas
- Safari boots in case you have to walk
- A pair of binoculars to capture closer visibility of far ranging features.
- Some snacks to munch as breakfast is taken too early to last the entire day
- Extra batteries fully charged in case one runs low on power.
- Charger and travel adapter in case you need to recharge
- First aid kit for any emergency while on this Uganda safari
- A travel adapter and charger in case you need it.
