1 day shoebill watching trip to Mabamba swamp from Entebbe

1 day shoebill watching trip to Mabamba swamp from Entebbe

1 day shoebill watching trip to Mabamba swamp from Entebbe

The 1 day shoebill watching trip to Mabamba swamp from Entebbe is one of the activities and things to do while in Entebbe in a single day.

Whether you are staying in Entebbe or in Mabamba, waking up early to catch the shoebill in the swamp is crucial for a successful shoebill bird watching trip to Mabamba swamp.

Do you need to book or find out more about our 1 day shoebill watching trip to Mabamba swamp from Entebbe, contact us here below;

The 1 day shoebill watching trip to Mabamba swamp from Entebbe starts from Entebbe and ends in Entebbe

Entebbe town has a variety of hotels, lodges and homestays for your accommodation before and after your shoebill watching trip allowing you to reach Mabamba swamp in time for your birding tour.

Detailed 1 day shoebill watching trip to Mabamba swamp from Entebbe itinerary

Have an early morning breakfast in time  to be ready for your guide to pick you up for transfer to Nakiwogo landing site for a canoe or Ferry crossing to Mabamba bay area.

For crossing on a Ferry with a car or tourist van, the journey takes 15 to 20 minutes for the Ferry to dock at Buwaya where you drive off to Mabamba landing site for 10 to 15 minutes depending on the route and the weather conditions.

There is a government ferry MV Nakiwogo which offers free services and makes several trips to and from Nakiwogo landing site to Buwaya landing site in Kasanje.

For a faster transfer without a car, you will board a motorised canoe or boat from Nakiwogo landing site directly to Mabamba bay area where you will transfer to a smaller canoe to start off your hunt for the shoebill in the mabamba swamp channels and trails.

The shoebill is always more static in the morning and slow at hunting which makes it easier to spot in the mornings than late in the afternoon when the day is hot and it is actively hunting far away in the swamps.

You will join other tourists on canoes in search of the shoebill.

When you finally spot the shoebill or getting near to it, the guides will turn off the canoe engine and you row the canoe closer not to scare away the shoebill as it is a shy bird.

You will row the canoe close enough to take clear photos and observe the shoebill for a few hours if it can stay without any interference.

Along the swamp you will also spot many other bird species such as the Malachite kingfisher, African Jacana, Pied Kingfisher, Purple heron, Black headed weavers, winged cisticola, marsh harrier, lesser African Jacana, etc

After shoebill watching, you can row to Mabamba landing site to have your packed lunch or go to the lodges nearby for a hot lunch such as Ngima forest lodge and Mabamba lodge depending on your needs.

However, a hot lunch needs booking in advance with the lodges which we can do for you or you can return to your hotel in Entebbe for lunch and a rest.

What to pack for your shoebill watching trip to Mabamba

1. Rain coat/poncho

Whether you transfer by a ferry or canoe from Nakiwogo landing site in Entebbe, a rain gear is much needed for your shoebill watching trip to Mabamba swamp as this part of Uganda receives considerably high amounts of rainfall being on Lake Victoria.

2. Binoculars

Binoculars are very crucial for any bird watching tour and this is one of them where binoculars come in handy

3. Camera

Whether you have a dedicated digital camera or just a nice phone camera, you just need one to capture this historic bird for your memories and experience.

Mabamba swamp offers amazing views and experience another reason for you to be able to capture them with your camera.

4. Water resistant clothing

This may come as a surprise but the fact that  you are out in a swamp, having water proof clothing may be crucial for safety reasons.

5. Backpack

You need to have a small backpack to keep all your items safe and together to avoid losing them in water or during transfer on the ferry or canoes.

This 1 day shoebill watching trip to Mabamba swamp from Entebbe may take 7 to 9 hours or a full day depending on your needs and how much time you have.

Book your shoebill watching trip to Mabamba swamp now here;



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