Uganda · Bird Watching

6-Hour Mabamba Bay Birdwatching Tour from Kampala with Shoebill Search

6 Hours Round trip from Kampala Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore Mabamba Bay, one of Uganda's 33 Important Bird Areas
02 Search for the rare and endangered shoebill stork in Lake Victoria's wetlands
03 Spot a variety of water birds, including kingfishers, herons, storks, eagles, and hamerkops
04 Learn about wetland plants and the cultures of the communities around the swamp

Discover why Mabamba Bay is one of Uganda's 33 Important Bird Areas as you search for the endangered shoebill stork in the wetlands of Lake Victoria. This 6-hour experience combines a scenic drive from Kampala or Entebbe with a boat trip through the swamp, where you may also spot kingfishers, herons, storks, eagles, and hamerkops. From September to March, the wetland sees especially high bird activity due to the arrival of many migrant birds.

Board an engine boat and begin the search for the elusive and endangered shoebill stork that lives in the wetlands of Lake Victoria.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Hours

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Kampala, Entebbe, Lake Victoria

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Mabamba Bay Shoebill and Wetland Birding Tour

Have a delicious breakfast and meet your tour guide before setting off from your preferred pick-up point. Drive for about one to two hours to Mabamba Bay.
Board an engine boat and begin the search for the elusive and endangered shoebill stork that lives in the wetlands of Lake Victoria. The boat trip takes between 2 and 4 hours, depending on sightings and the weather conditions of the day.
Expect to see a number of water birds, such as kingfishers, herons, storks, eagles, and hamerkops, as well as some amphibians and reptiles such as the monitor lizard, among others.
Get a chance to identify different water plants.
Learn about the cultures of the communities around the swamp.
Drive back and have lunch en route before being dropped off at your preferred location in Kampala or Entebbe.