Contact Us
Contact Us

Shoebill trip birding to Mabamba Wetlands

  • OVERVIEW | SUMMARY
  • TOUR DETAILS
  • COSTS & INCLUSIONS
  • BOOK THIS SAFARI
OVERVIEW | SUMMARY

Spend a day trip birding to Mabamba Swamp located on the Northern shores of Lake Victoria, southwest of Entebbe

Trip Overview

This trip is particularly designed for individuals visiting for work or meeting or conference and may have limited time to do long safaris far away from the main capital Kampala or Entebbe. It suits both avid and amateur birders. It is accompanied by a professional birding guide who will be very helpful in identifying several other species in the field, both along the road and at the site besides the shoebill.

Summary tour plan

The guide picks you from any spot, hotel of your choice in Kampala or Entebbe at 5:45am or anytime of the day between then and 1:00pm. After the activity, you will be driven and dropped at any spot or hotel of your choice in Kampala or Entebbe.

TOUR DETAILS

A day trip birding to Mabamba Shoebill Wetland

Trip details

Mabamba Wetland system is a spanning 16,500ha area along the shores of Lake Victoria, North-west of Entebbe. It is an Important Bird Area in Uganda described and listed as a wetland of International Importance during the Ramsar COP9 held in Kampala, Uganda in November 2005 for the conservation of Key protected species.

Found in a few marshes of East Africa, the Shoebill is classified as vulnerable. Paddling through man-made channels and lagoons, traversing fishermen, several plants with beautiful flowers, the papyrus reed beds, and birdlife is a rewarding experience. There are also other possible encounters besides the shoebill including the rare Lesser Jacana, Blue-breasted bee-eater, Malachite Kingfisher, Hamerkop, Blue-headed Coucal, Winding Cisiticola, Wyens’s Weaver, Papyrus Gonolek.

Driving time from Kampala/Entebbe to the Swamp is 1.5 to 2hours

Along the road as we drive to Mabamba swamp in Mpigi, we pass via isolated pockets of reminants of degraded forests that still inhabit species like the Cuckoo-hawk, Double-toothed barbets, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Broad-billed Roller, Ross's Turaco, Great Blue Turaco, Black and white Casqued Hornbill, Crowned Hornbill etc. Papyrus swamps are also among other habitats we drive through as we do our shoebill trip

After the Canoe, depending on the time we have, we spend an a hour or two along the edge of the marsh to look out for Little Bee-eaters, Brimestone Canary, Yellow-throated Leaf-Love etc.

Drive back to your lodge or hotel after here before dark

This trip has an option of using a boat direct from Entebbe at Nakiwogo Landing site direct to the marshes and coming back using the same boat.

Note: Its recommended you carry a snack or picnic lunch and enough drinking water

Shoebill trip - Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex), also known as the Whale-headed Stork, and Shoe-billed Stork. Birds of tropical African Swamps - Uganda.
Shoebill trip - Mabamba swamp canoeing
COSTS & INCLUSIONS

A road trip birding from Kampala / Entebbe to the Mabamba Marshes along the Lake Victoria shores

Costs, inclusions and Exclusions

Price ranges from USD160 - 250 depending on the number of participants

Included in the price

  • Park entry fees for non-residents
  • Canoeing fees
  • Round trip hotel transfer
  • Professional birding guide fees
  • Ground transportation

Excluded

  • Visa fees and international flights to and fro country of origin
  • Optional activities
  • Meals, beverages like sodas, alcoholic drinks or juices
  • Accommodation
  • Medical and travel insurance
  • Tips to local guides, souvenirs plus any other expenses of personal nature

Note: tipping is recommended of up to 10dollars per guest per day or depending on the satisfaction with the level of service by the guides

BOOK THIS SAFARI

A day's Shoebill road trip birding to Mabamba Wetlands

Trip inquiry

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Scheduled birding group departures

Uganda Fixed Date Birding group Departure

No. of days: 16

No. of Participants: 2 - 6

Departure Dates: 2nd Jul 2026, 6th Jan 2027

Prices: from USD2877 per person

Explore Uganda's top birding locales on a wildlife and birdwatching tour from Entebbe, featuring;

  • a nature walk along in the historical Entebbe Botanical Gardens
  • canoeing along the shores of Lake Victoria in the mighty marshes of Mabamba, site for the Shoebill
  • a leisurely game viewing walk and bird walk in the woods of the beautiful Lake Mburo National Park
  • a hike to the Misty Forests of Bwindi for the Albertine Rift Endemics
  • a boat cruise along the famous Kazinga Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park
  • Visits to Kibale Forest for the stunning Green-breasted Pitta
  • Semuliki Forest for the Eastern Congo Biome rarities
  • and Budongo Forest for the lowland tropical forest specialties

REVIEWS

Birding Trip to Uganda - 2nd July to 16th July 2015

Rating

From July 2 to 16, 2015, I joined a birding tour in Uganda led by Muhumuza Deogratius (Deo), an excellent birder and personable guide, alongside Luke, a knowledgeable co-leader and driver.

The trip featured diverse habitats, including Mabamba Bay, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kibale Forest.

Highlights included a Shoebill sighting, gorilla and chimpanzee tracking, and an impressive list of 350 bird species (274 lifers) and 27 mammal species (17 lifers).

Lodging was generally comfortable, and food ranged from acceptable to good. It generally, was a rewarding adventure in a fascinating region.

Dalcio Dacol, Tucano's

Brazil

Uganda 2 week Birding & Mammal Tour, Jan 2014

Rating

Peter Saunders and his group, including Lorraine Saunders, Jonny Price, and Will Price, had an unforgettable birding holiday in Uganda organized by Deo and Robert Nuwagaba.

Deo’s excellent communication and organization ensured a seamless trip, while both guides impressed with their deep knowledge of bird calls, habitats, and remarkable spotting skills.

Over two weeks, the group recorded 470 bird species and encountered extraordinary wildlife, including the Shoebill, Green-breasted Pitta, Finfoot, chimpanzees, and gorillas. The accommodations, food, and stunning views added to the experience.

Peter highly recommends Deo’s services, praising both guides for their expertise, politeness, humor, and care, making this a truly memorable adventure.

PETER SOUNDERs

Great Britain

Rating

We had a most wonderful, individually and expertly guided nature tour in Uganda

A magnificent trip took us to Uganda July 15 to July 29, 2014, expertly guided by Muhumuza Deogratius; Deo for short. We had intended to book our trip through a local Ugandan travel agent and were lucky to find Deo recommended on the www.birdingpal.org website. Deo responded to our inquiries immediately and to our satisfaction. He booked our travel route according to our wishes and the accommodations selected by him were all very pleasant, clean and located in beautiful and safe environments.

Being interested in nature, birds and anything else that flies and walks, Deo was the perfect guide for us. He could spot and name any bird just from hearing its song. He also showed us many mammals in the various diverse national parks of Uganda.

We highly recommend Deo and wish that he will be able to guide many more nature-loving tourists through his beautiful homeland of Uganda, and thereby enhance the mutual understanding of the people in this world.

URSULA AND RUDOLF JANDER

USA

Fantastic trip for 3 weeks to see 526 species of birds

Rating

There were 5 trip members from UK which we organised with Deo through Birding Pal. Deo met us at Lake Victoria View guest house where we were familiarising ourselves with the Hotel garden Birds. A big smile from Deo soon got us on the right footing. From the outset and through the rest of the trip, communication, expert guiding and service lived up to the highest standard of hopeful expectation.

Deo was a true professional as well as being a great companion and friend during our three weeks in Uganda.

He did his utmost best to make sure we saw as many species as possible. I personally got on great with him because of my keen interest in photography and his similar passion in the same subject.

We all enjoyed his sense of humour.

I would not hesitate in recommending both for future trips in Uganda.

Here's to successful future trips

CHRIS. WARD

Great Britain

Great birding trip to Uganda July 2016

Rating


Deo drove us hundreds of miles and with his and Robert's expert bird finding skills we clocked around 480 species and saw all the main mammals as well - including the fantastic Biwindi gorillas. Communications, food and accommodation were all excellent and, overall, I was thoroughly impressed. Would strongly recommend this company.

JONATHAN PRICE

Great Britain

Kenya Birding trip

November, 2024

Rating

My husband and I completed a 15-day private birding tour in Kenya (Western Circuit) in August/September. We had the pleasure of being guided by 2 marvelous bird guides, Davis Kibuga and James Apolloh Omenya. We birded in 8 National Parks/Reserves throughout southwestern Kenya and logged almost 400 bird species in addition to many mammals and reptiles. Our guides not only knew the birds, they also knew the mammals and plants. Apolloh, in particular, not only knew every bird along our routes by name, he also knew all the bird calls and where to find them. Many times we would stop at specific locations, sometimes along a highway, to call for a specific species and the bird would

come. It was uncanny!

In addition to the birds of Kenya, we have learned a great deal from our guides about the culture and life in East Africa. Thank you, Davis and Apolloh, for a well-planned and rewarding trip. We look forward to returning one day to bird in Uganda and Eastern Kenya with you again.

Vickie kwong

USA

Beautiful Birds of Zanzibar with expert

Oct 2024

Rating

What a fantastic experience seeing beautiful

and some rare birds in Zanzibar! Andrew’s knowledge and skills made it an

amazing experience, he knows where to go and it was a joy to see swamp

kingfishers, rare coucals, and 50 others. We even saw a large snake in the

forest! Thank you Andrew. Would definitely spend more time with him if we are lucky enough to come again

andrew c

Austria

Birding Trip to Uganda 23rd Jan to 7th Feb 2015

Rating

No sound or movement escapes him. If there is a bird somewhere Robert will find it. Both Deo and Robert made sure that we saw as many birds as possible and that we all saw them. We were a group of 6 and came from 3 different continents.

Deo is not only a good organizer but has a wonderfully friendly and cheerful personality. We truly enjoyed chatting with him.

He is a very good listener and always made sure that everyone was comfortable and spared no effort to keep us all happy. We all enjoyed spending time with him.

I want to add that I found the Ugandans welcoming, friendly and so very kind.

MONIQUE FISCHER

Toronto

33 days Uganda - Rwanda Birding Safari

Rating

After thorough research and consulting 13 companies, the author selected Uganda Eco Tours for a customized birdwatching and wildlife experience, citing their professionalism, in-depth birding knowledge, and prompt communication.

Over 30 days, the journey spanned iconic Ugandan locations such as Mabamba Wetland, Mabira Forest, Kidepo Valley, Murchison Falls, and Kibale Forest, among others, in addition to Rwanda, yielding over 600 bird species, diverse wildlife, and unforgettable encounters with gorillas and chimpanzees. Highlights included Shoebill sightings, a leopard with prey, scenic canoe rides, and immersive forest treks.

The tour was a rich blend of birding, wildlife, and cultural experiences, meticulously guided by Deo Muhumuza and his team.

WILLIAM ROWE

England

Uganda group departure birding trip

Rating

This particular trip could be regarded as a once in a lifetime experience!

The communications with regard to the trip were excellent and the service was also of a very high standard and lived up to all expectations. The level of accommodation was also as expected but the food could be improved upon. The actual tour itself was absolutely fantastic with regard to the itinerary, diverse habitats and the time spent looking for birds. The bird knowledge of the two guides was outstanding

IAN MAC EACHERAN

Great Britian

24 January to 7 February 2014 with Deo and Robert

Rating

The Birdingpal fixed-date tour from January 24 to February 7, 2014, was an unforgettable experience led by the exceptional guides Deo and Robert. Deo, the trip's mastermind, ensured everyone felt at home and catered to the group's diverse interests with good humor and grace, while Robert's unparalleled bird-spotting skills made the tour extraordinary.

The itinerary covered a variety of habitats, from savannas and forests to wetlands, offering sightings of stunning birds like Jameson's Wattle-eye and African Green Broadbill, alongside iconic African wildlife, with optional gorilla and chimpanzee tracking being highlights.

Accommodation was clean and comfortable, and the logistics, including minibus travel on rough roads, were well managed. Uganda Eco Tours delivered a high-quality, budget-friendly trip, leaving participants eager to explore more of the country in the future.

JONO & Karo

United States of America

Copyright © 2026 - Budget Birding Africa