For avid bird watchers and wildlife lovers, it doesn’t get much better than this. Located on the northern shore of Lake Victoria in Uganda lies Mabamba wetlands, an area famed for its abundant array of over 300 different bird species. It’s also home to one of the best places in the country to spot the elusive shoebill, also referred to as ‘the king of the marshes’. Listed as a wetland of international importance by Ramsar, the Mabamba Bay Wetland System is one of the best places to see the shoebill stork in Central and East Africa.
Our trip to this 16,500-hectare birdwatcher’s paradise offers the chance for you to witness these giant prehistoric-looking birds up close in their natural environment during an unforgettable and incredibly rare experience. The vulnerable shoebill is mostly sedentary, living in marshy wetland areas where it feeds on catfish and nests on papyrus platforms. At high risk of becoming extinct, only 3300 to 5300 shoebills are left in the wild according to BirdLife International.
"If you’re extremely lucky you may glimpse a shoebill chick - fluffy and unsteady on their feet when young - wonderful to observe and an increasingly rare sighting."
The excursion starts with a short motorised boat transfer from Entebbe to Mabamba Swamp. Upon arrival, jump into wooden canoes for a guided journey through the swamp’s waterways in search of the shoebill stork and other extraordinary birds roaming through the papyrus.
Thanks to their invaluable knowledge about the behaviour and habitats of the shoebills and other wildlife, your expert guide will ensure a memorable experience whilst respecting the birds’ welfare and environment. As well as the shoebill stork, other protected bird species in this diverse wetland ecosystem to look out for include the papyrus gonolek and the blue swallow. If you’re extremely lucky you may glimpse a shoebill chick – fluffy and unsteady on their feet when young – wonderful to observe and an increasingly rare sighting.
Your private tour provides the perfect opportunity to observe a variety of magnificent birds and enjoy the beautiful wetland setting, whilst also contributing to local community development and the preservation of Mabamba Bay. Visit between March and September for the best opportunity to see a variety of bird species during their annual migration from Europe to Africa.
Getting a chance to witness these charismatic birds and an abundance of other wildlife in their natural environment is a remarkable experience for wildlife enthusiasts.
