Nabajjuzi wetland is one of Uganda’s finest birding spots apart from wildlife reserves, national parks and other protected areas like forest reserves. Uganda is ranked to be among the best birding destinations in Africa and the world at large. Different times welcome different migratory birds from Europe, America and the rest of Africa hence sheltering over 1000 bird species.
Lying in the southwest of Masaka municipality, Nabajjuzi wetland covers an area of 2,144 hectares and spans districts of Masaka, Sembabule and Mpigi. This wetland is filled with low volume water supplied by the Nabajjuzi River and is located at an altitude of 1,200 to 1,300 meters above sea level. It’s just 40 kilometers from Masaka Town as you head to Mbarara district.
Nabajjuzi wetland lies in the traditional Buddu County of the Buganda kingdom, and biodiversity in this wetland in form of plants and animals are associated with the clan norms and beliefs. There is therefore a strict culture of conservation around the wetland by local people in support of the Uganda and Buganda governments.
The Nabajjuzi wetland consists of lush vegetation that can be seen while visiting the wetlands such as the Cyprus Papyrus with small patches, small water pools and this Ramsar site is mainly known for birders as it protects Uganda’s rarest bird – the shoebill stork and the common wetland mammal – Sitatunga. The wetland is also known for containing highly demanded papyrus vegetation, sand, fish among others that are sustainably exploited by the native communities but a bigger part of the swamp remains untouched, with a long term history of these resources.
The shrubs where birds can be found in the interior include Phoenix reclinata, Madagascariensis, Cyperus denudatus, Erythrina abyssinica and many others. Nabajjuzi wetland boasts other wildlife species apart from birds like reptiles mainly snakes, while mammals like different antelopes are the main occupants of this wetland.
Birding in Nabajjuzi wetland exposes birders to different bird species including a rare shoebill stork, Papyrus yellow Warbler, Papyrus gonolek and grey crowned crane which is Uganda’s national bird. Apart from wildlife, Nabajjuzi wetland is home to different fish species and this is because of the presence of food, favorable climate and other factors. Species of fish available here are mudfish and cut fish and many others but these are the main fish caught in this wetland.
Fish serves and acts as a source of proteins to the local people of Masaka and other neighboring communities. This means that birders don’t get surprised to meet Fishermen while birding in this wetland. For birders interested to visit Nabajjuzi wetland, you are advised to spend a night at least in Masaka Town and begin your birding expedition early in the morning and spend the whole day to achieve best results.
How to access Nabajjuzi wetland for birding tours?
For birders willing to bird from Nabajjuzi wetland, you can access the wetland from Kampala hitting Masaka Road driving 120km for about 2-3 hours. After reaching Masaka, you proceed on the main highway to Mbarara, for just 40km and you will immediately be in this beautiful and exciting wetland. For those who slept in Mbarara Town or coming from Lake Mburo national park, you can have a stopover at this wetland for a short birding tour while heading to Kampala before reaching equator for lunch stop over.
Either way, the route to Nabajjuzi wetland offers varied stunning views, coupled with a stopover at the Uganda equator in Kayabwe where you can get an extra experience of photography and geographical experiment.
Birding in the Nabajjuzi wetland is one of the best choices you can make while on your Uganda birding safari, include it on your package.
