1 Day Mabamba Swamp Shoebill Watching

Shoe bill stock watching in Lake Victoria Mabamba swamp

Mabamba Swamp, located 50km from Kampala, is a prime wetland birding site, best known for its spectacular Shoebill Stork sightings. The swamp, however, has a lot more to offer to the seasoned birder, with more than 300 bird species: Papyrus Gonolek, Swamp Flycatcher, Lesser
Jacana, Purple Swamphen and African Pygmy Goose to Mention but a few. 
The drive to Mabamba Swamp should take about an hour and a half depending on traffic.

An early departure is recommended to avoid Kampala traffic, and will allow you to make the most of your time in the wetland. Most of the time will be spent in a motorised canoe within the swamp/bay area, where an experienced boat crew will guide you through the numerous inlets, helping you identify the bird species within the swamp. If you have a specific bird you are looking for, please inform us in advance.

Have breakfast 6:00am then start on your journey west out of Kampala, towards Mabamba Swamp. The drive should take about an hour and a half, depending on traffic if you are in Entebbe areas our professional guide will meet you at 7:00am and drive 10 /minutes to the landing site where you will board a motorized boat to the swamp in search for the shoebill and other aquatic birds.

10:30-11:00am After shoebill viewing the motorized boat man will bring you back to the landing site to meet your driver guide and proceed to kampala or Entebbe for the hot lunch.

WHAT WE SUGGEST YOU BRING:

  • Insect repellent

  • Sun screen

  • Plenty of drinking

  • Water/snacks

  • Binoculars

  • Camera equipment

  • Rain coat

  • Other personal affects

Ready for Shoebill Spotting?

Get in touch with us to start planning your trip!

Price: Due to the customizable nature of this trip and varying group sizes, all prices are given as quotations in consultation. please contact us with ideas what your safari might include and we'll prepare a quotation just for you!

Price per person includes

  • Park fees, all meals, bottled drinking water, Warm sleeping bags, tents, Chefs, guides and potters.

  • A professional driver/guide

  • All transportation

  • All Taxes/VAT

  • Drinks

Packing List

  • A photocopy of your passport, including the visa page; torch; malaria prophylaxis; insect repellent; sturdy walking shoes and long trousers for hiking, 

  • Binoculars; camera equipment; plenty of drinking water/snacks; any other personal affects, light colored clothing (NB There are tsetse flies in the park, which are attracted to blue or dark colors)

  • Hiking shoes/Ruber boots, Rain jackets, warm and waterproof gloves and warm sweaters Cameras and some snacks 

  • 1 day bag (small bag big enough to carry your packed lunch, rain gear, drinking water, and camera)[included]

  • 1 sleeping bag [included]

  • Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots

  • Several pairs of woolen socks

  • Trekking trousers

  • Warm layers

  • Woolen gap, gloves

  • A torch/headlamp and batteries

  • 1 backpacking backpack (porter will carry) 

  • 1 pair of jogging shoes

  • Sun hat 1

  • Handkerchiefs

  • 1 pair of snow glasses [included]

  • Leggings up to the knee (Gaiters)

  • Rain jacket and rain-proof trousers

  • Walking sticks [included]

  • Photo equipment

  • Pocket knife

  • Rubber boots/gum boots (for mud) [included]]

First Aid Kit:

  • Stomach medicine [included]
    Headache medicine [included]
    1 elastic bandage, Elastoplasts [included]
    Water purification tablets [included]
    Vitamin C tablets 

  • Altitude sickness medication
    Sun lotion

  • Lip ointment

For summit climbers [all included]:

  •  ice axe 

  • 2 harnesses
    3 pair of crampons

  • 4 sleeping bag

  • 5 climbing rope

Price Excludes

  • International flights from home back to home

  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour

  • Personal items, souvenirs, visas and travel

  • Insurance

General Information

Hotels have Wi-fi, self contained rooms.

Meals served are of your choice (Starter, Main course & Dessert)

Transport

Insured Custom build safari vehicles

(4WD Toyota Land Cruisers, Safari Van)