Mabamba Swamp and Wetland
Mabamba Swamp and Wetland Safaris & Tours, Location, Best time to visit, attraction, Safari accommodations and more
Mabamba Swamp and Wetland
Just 40km away from Kampala west of Entebbe in the northern shores of Lake Victoria is one of Uganda’s top birding spots and the best place to see the elusive rare shoebill stork, a bird species classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)- Mabamba Swamp and Wetland.
The wetland gets its name from a Luganda word “Mabamba” meaning lungfish, which turns out to be the shoebill’s favorite food.
In addition to the shoebill stork, this 2,524ha land of thick marshes of papyrus, water lilies, and other wetland grasses are also a haven to a medley of colorful bird species, fish species, and swampy sitatunga that will give you an incredible experience and feel with the essence discovery of nature.
Despite its small size, Uganda offers you unrivalled bird watching experiences and this historical site is a prime example with over 300 bird species recorded.
In 2006, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands saw Mabamba worthy of the status of Wetland of International Importance for harboring globally threatened species.
For having over 300 species of birds that boldly spread their wings flying over this beautiful wetland, Birdlife International recognizes it as an Important Bird Area (IBA)
Mabamba Swamp and Wetlands
Why is Mabamba Bay Swamp and Wetland Famous?
Locally known as Bbulwe in the Luganda language, the shoebill stork is Mabamba’s main attraction. It is one of the most sought out bird species in Africa for being rare, photogenic and extremely pleasing for the eyes.
This prehistoric looking bird classified as vulnerable stands quietly for hours waiting to surprisingly attract its prey, the lungfish and frogs.
Although shoebills can also be found in other places in Uganda like Murchison Falls National Park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, and other swampy areas, Mabamba offers the most accessible and reliable year-round sightings most especially in the morning.
Shoebills aside, this Ramar site is home to several other threatened and migratory bird species which include;
King Fisher in Mabamba
Mabamba Swamp and Wetland Pictorial
Kingfisher
Papyrus Gonolek
White-winged Warbler
Pallid Harrier
Blue Swallow
Malachite and Pied Kingfishers
African Jacana
Great Blue Turaco
Purple Heron
Saddle-billed Stork
Goliath Heron
African Fish Eagle
Grey-crowned Crane (Uganda’s national bird)
The shoe Bill-tracking in Mabamba/ Birding in Mabamba swamp
Upon your visit to this mesmerizing international birding site, you will take a motorized wooden canoe/ boat on the serene waters of the swamp with local guides that will help you track the shoebill.
Birding on the Mabamba wetland using a motorized wooden canoe/boat enhances your whole experience giving you the Ugandan local community feel.
Shoebill in Mabamba Swamp and Wetland
During your boat ride, you will come across the early risers of the wetland-the fishermen who go out early in the morning to find what they caught in their nets and usually they are the best people to give direction on where they encountered a shoebill during their fishing activities.
It makes it easier for you to locate these prehistoric-looking birds omitting the hunting hustle
Upon meeting the shoebill stork, you will have an enchanting time observing it as it hunts its food, resting as it spreads out its wings in its natural habitat.
This mind-blowing encounter doesn’t end with the shoebills but continues around the swamp waters as you look out for other bird species like purple swamphen, African marsh harrier, African darter, common squacco heron, purple heron, long-tailed cormorant, northern brown-throated weaver, yellow-billed duck, malachite kingfisher among others.
Recommended Safaris to Mabamba Swamp and Wetland
Other places to find the shoebill stork
In respect to shoebills diet, they are predominantly known to inhabit swampy areas. It’s important to know you can sightsee them in their natural habitat only in the east and central African countries of Tanzania, DRC, Uganda, Zambia and some parts of South Sudan.
In Uganda, your best place to go shoebill sightseeing is definitely Mabamba wetlands. Besides Mabamba, you may as well go shoebill sightseeing around the Isasha sector of Queen Elizabeth national park, Nabajuzi swamp in Masaka, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary around Murchison Falls National Park and in Semliki wildlife Reserve.
What does Shoebill stork Feed on?
Although these vulnerable bird species normally feed on lungfish, they also feed on smaller water birds, water snakes, frogs, lizards, turtles, young crocodiles, snails, and rodents.
A Shoebill Feeding in Mabamba Swamp and Wetland
Other Attractions in Entebbe
After your swamp tour, you can decide to visit other nearby attractions that may include:
Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (zoo)
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Ssese Islands
Best Time to Visit Mabamba Swamp and Wetland
The best time to have an ultimate birding experience that will leave you with lifetime memories in Mabamba is during September to March when the wetland is flooded with migratory birds from Europe.
However, it is important to note that birding encounters can be experienced all year round in this International Bird Area.
Canoeing in Mabamba Swamp and Wetland
Conservation of Mabamba Swamp and Wetland
Mabamba’s success as a birding site is closely tied to community involvement. Locals benefit directly from tourism, which encourages them to protect the wetland rather than exploit it. Conservation groups and the Ramsar Convention continue to support education, monitoring, and anti-poaching efforts.
Top Sightings in Mabamba Swamp and Wetland
The Shoebill Stork
African Fish Eagle
How to get to Mabamba swamp
Mabamba Swamp can be accessed by road or water transport from both Kampala and Entebbe.
By Road
From Entebbe, you can follow the old Entebbe-Kampala Road and branch off from Kisubi and then drive to Nakawuka then Kasanje before reaching Mabamba.
From Kampala, there are two options. The first route takes you on a drive to Kasanje trading cente after which you proceed to Mabamba which is 13.5 km away.
The second route is the Masaka road which branches off after about 30 kilometers to Buyege. The distance from Buyege to Mabamba is about 22 kilometers.
By Water transport
The most convenient and quick way to reach the Mabamba swamp is by taking a speed boat through Lake Victoria. You will take a 45-50 min boat ride from Entebbe to Mabamba Swamp.
However, these large speed boats are not suitable for navigating through the papyrus swamps thus you will need to board smaller canoes that are used to navigate through the papyrus swamps.
Where to stay around Mabamba Bay Swamp and Wetland.
There are lots of accommodation options that give you easy access to Mabamba swamp on Lake Victoria ranging from budget friendly lodges to high end luxury hotels a catering for needs of all kinds of travelers. These include;
Swimming Pool at Lake Victoria Serena Gold Resort and Spa
Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa
The Protea Hotel Entebbe
The Boma Hotel
Nkima Forest Lodge
Karibu Guesthouse.
Other Related destinations...
Not just a safari to Africa,
It's an experience of a lifetime.
100% Excellent Reviews on Tripadvisor
100% Excellent reviews on Safaribookings
6+ years of experience
Unforgettable experiences guarantee.