A birder’s true hub and a destination where the birder’s heart is won, and the eyes are fed, located at the southern edge of Lake Victoria which is arguably largest freshwater lake in the whole world. It is located on the northwestern part of Entebbe Peninsular in central part of Uganda.
Mabamba bay swamp boarders Kasanje and Kamengo sub-counties in Mpigi and Wakiso districts and can be accessed from either Entebbe by boat or Kampala city on road.
The swamp is among the 30 birding sites in the country and was declared a Ramsar-wetland of international importance in 2006. This swamp has over 300 bird species including some of the most sought birds by nature lovers and tourists – shoebill stock, papyrus gonolek and the blue swallow. A huge concentration of Palearctic migrants arrive at Mabamba every year in the period of March and October.
Mabamba swamp sprawls on the vast 2,424 hectare land, marked by water lilies, wetland grasses and thick mashes of papyrus. It has become a stronghold to migrant birds from all over the world including over 100 species coming in every year, notably the blue swallow, Gull-billed terns, whiskered terns and white-winged terns among others. Four globally endangered bird species with international importance can be found in this swamp; namely Papyrus Gonolek, white-winged warbler and Pallid Harrier.
Other amazing birds residing in this swamp include; Northern brown-throated weaver, pygmy Geese, Carruthers Cisticola, malachite kingfisher, Goliath Herons, cranes, Turacos, and the Hammerkop among others.
Accessing Mabamba wetland.
Mabamba Swamp can be accessed by several routes depending on your preference. From Kampala, one can drive through Masaka road (30km) and then branch via Buyege (22km) to Mabamba.
Through Entebbe, you will follow the Kasubi route, through Nakawuka, Kasanje and then to Mabamba. The other way of reaching Mabamba swamp is Via the Nakiwogo landing site in Entebbe, to Kasanje Landing site where you will drive to Mabamba for about 20minutes.
About Mabamba Shoebill Tours.
To Mabamba swamp, it’s either you are going to see the shoebill stock or just bird watching. The chances of spotting a shoebill stock are high be it in the morning or evening hours of the day. The Shoebill stock, also known as a whale-headed stork; is a prime safari attraction in the Mabamba swamp, and one of the endangered bird species in the world. Its name is derived from its enormous shoe-shaped bill. The shoebill stork is a very large stork-like bird.
The adults are grey, whereas young ones are browner and the color of the tail is the same as the wings. It moves slowly but is sensitive to human disturbances. They often stand and perch on the lush floating vegetation. This bird is often silent, only performing bill-clattering parades in the nests.
Visiting Mabamba Island is done all year round, with the best months being July, October, August, March, April and May. A stand-alone trip is for only one day, with an early morning departure and evening return. The tour is typically done with a motorized canoe.
Tours to Mabamba swamp depart at about 07:00 am or the most comfortable time. Expert guides with wealth of knowledge regarding the birds, unique behaviors and territories will brief you and take charge of the tour. The entire experience is thrilling, with views of the calm water, birds and the swamps. The ride takes you through the lagoons with large concentration of Birds and as well the shoebill stock. Don’t miss out on the splendid boat ride, culminating with an unforgettable shoebill stork.
Mabamba swamp is open to school tours, family trips, group tours, bird lovers, and researchers alike. You need to book at least in advance, for the proper arrangement of the canoe and a guide. .
