1 Days Mabamba Birding Safari Uganda

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Overview

There is no doubt that the word Mabamba wetland is synonymous with birding. This beautiful wetland on the flanges of Lake Victoria is Uganda’s hotspot for exclusive birding and experiential shoebill stork viewing. It regained its status in early 2000s when it was gazetted as an important birding area and a Ramsar site.

This is a full day of birding that begins and ends from Kampala / Entebbe.

Detailed tour

Day 1: Depart Kampala / Entebbe to Mabamba wetland.

The safari begins in the morning after breakfast. Depart from either Kampala or Entebbe town. From Kampala, you follow Kampala – Mpigi road and branch off after about 64km, follow a marram road that goes straight to Mabamba wetland. While from Entebbe, you will take a chartered boat trip from Nakiwogo landing site on Lake Victoria and sail southwards to Mabamba wetland.

Upon arrival at Mabamba wetland, you will be briefed about the history of the wetland, resident animals and bird species and later sail on a dugout canoe to the interior of the wetland. This is a rich habitat for not only birds but also mammals such as Sitatunga antelopes, bush babies, etc. The most sought after bird, shoebill stork is the most elusive and chances of viewing it are minimal but on a good day you can’t miss it.

Over 260 unique bird species are resident here, as well as other important birds which include the migrant Blue Swallow, Great Blue Turaco, Yellow-backed Weaver, Ashy Flycatcher, Brown Snake-Eagle, Papyrus Gonolek, Yellow Billed Stork, Grey-Headed Sparrow and Long-toed Lapwing.

After all this experience, drive back to the city for hotel drop off, and Entebbe airport for outbound flights.