Mabamba Bay swamp is a bird-lovers dream destination. It is home to 260 bird species, including the massive shoebill – Uganda’s most sought-after bird!
This papyrus swamp is characterised by small channels of marsh-filled water and lagoons and is located about 57km from Kampala city and an hour’s drive from Entebbe city. Lying on the edge of Lake Victoria, Mabamba Bay is a massive 16,500 hectares and is part of the list of Wetlands of International Importance as chosen by the Ramsar Convention.
Visiting Mabamba Bay is quite the adventure, especially when there are so many bird species to be spotted, including the elusive shoebill! Here are some great activities that you can get up to while touring the area:
Shoebill canoe tour
Getting into a canoe in search for this prehistoric-like bird is a great experience. The shoebill is an amazing bird to behold and certainly one of the world’s most iconic. Its massive beak and brilliant large eyes are usually spotted first.
Meet the local fishermen
There was a time when the local community used to be enemies with the birds as they competed for the same fish, but today many have been trained as local tour guides who now strive to preserve both the birds and the swamp.
Local fisherman
They are happy to tell you a story about how Mabamba Bay is named after a lungfish locally known as ‘emamba‘. According to Hanington, a local guide who has lived on the bay for 20 years, the lungfish can survive on land for up to three days if it is watered every now and again.
Rediscover the beauty of the common birds
On a canoe tour, look out for birds in the reeds and on the water such as the hamerkop, papyrus gonolek, yellow-billed ducks, spur-winged geese, African jacana, and purple swamhens
Taste mouth-watering fresh fruits
Across the bay are little islands where the local people grow lots of organic sweet pineapples, avocados and juicy tomatoes.
Enjoy the sunset by Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria is Africa’s largest freshwater lake, and the second largest freshwater lake after Lake Superior in the United States/Canada
Other sites to see shoebills in Uganda
There are other areas where you can spot the shoebill, such as at Delta point in Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Ziwa Rhino sanctuary and Semliki Game Reserve.
Contact Chigo Tours Africa to arrange a birding tour to see the shoebill and all the other wonderful bird species, as well as meet the local people and enjoy great sunsets!