MABAMBA SWAMP:
Mabamba Swamp – a birder’s paradise is located west of Entebbe Uganda, approximately 1 hour’s drive from Kampala city. Mabamba Wetland is a famous birding spot famous for the elusive shoebill stork and other numerous water birds, making Uganda entirely a diverse birding safari destination.
Mabamba Wetland is patched along the stunning shores of Lake Victoria, extending up to 2424 hectares. This UNESCO Site is considered the most accessible Uganda birding site, boasting of its tranquility filled with water lilies and abundant bird species.
BIRD SPECIES IN MABAMBA SWAMP:
Mabamba Swamp is a haven to over 300 bird species including 7 of the 12 Lake Victoria biome species. It is one of the Important Birding Areas offering possibilities to identify nearly 100 different birds. This Ramsar site is home to the elusive shoebill stork, papyrus gonoleks, yellow-billed ducks, yellow fronted tinkerbird, spur-winged lapwing, tambourine dove, African marsh harrier, African green pigeon, African firefinch, black crake, Eastern grey plantain eater, blue swallow, blue cheeked bee-eater, crowned hornbill, double toothed barbet, great blue turaco, grey parrot, grey crowned crane, little egret, crowned hornbill, black-headed heron, great white egret, great white pelican, saddle-billed stork, shining blue kingfishers, swamp flycatchers, yellow-rumped tinkerbird, yellow-billed kite, Ross’s turaco, red chested cuckoo, pied kingfishers to mention but a few.
BEST TIME TO VISIT MABAMBA SWAMP:
The best time to visit Mabamba swamp in search of the rare shoebill is early morning @ 7:00am. At this time, the shoebill is searching for food and there is less activity in the swamp.
WHAT TO CARRY ON YOUR BIRDING TOUR TO MABAMBA SWAMP:
Mabamba Swamp packing list includes: A pair of binoculars, a good camera, a voice recorder, safari clothes, birding book, bottled drinking water, packed snacks, insect repellent, sun hut, insect repellents, and others.
WHERE TO STAY AROUND MABAMBA WETLAND:
You can choose from the many accommodation options nearby Mabamba Wetland including Mabamba lodge, Nkima Forest lodge, The Boma guesthouse, Sienna Beach Hotel, UWEC Leisure Gardens, Lake Heights Hotel, and many more.
HOW TO GET TO MABAMBA SWAMP:
Mabamba Swamp can easily be accessed from Entebbe, you will take a 10 minutes on a ferry crossing through the Nakiwogo Landing Site to Kasanje landing site.
From Kampala capital city about 1 hours’ drive to Entebbe. Drive from Kasubi to Nakawuka, and connect to Kasanje. At Kasanje Centre, you can get a Boda-boda to Mabamba Wetland.
You can also connect to Mabamba from Masaka road, about 30kms to Buyege.