Located 45 minutes by Boat from the Entebbe Mainland Mabamba Swamp is, without doubt, one of the best places to spot the shoebill in Entebbe. Realm Africa Safaris™ operates the most affordable Shoebill tracking Tours to Mabamba Swamp in Entebbe.
Popular Mabamba shoebill tracking trips starting in Entebbe
What you might need to Know about Mabamba Swamp in Entebbe
The Mabamba Swamp is named after the lungfish whose local name is “emamba” – a delicacy for the shoebill stork. The marsh-filled Swamp is one of the top birdwatching spots in Uganda. Located on the might Lake Victoria, Mabamba Swamp is popular for shoebill tracking tours. Besides, the shoebill stork, there are quite a number of other birds that inhabit this swamp, these include the blue swallow, pallid harrier, papyrus gonolek, swamp flycatcher, pigmy goose, lesser jacana, white-winged warbler, Viellot’s weaver, grosbeak weaver, black-headed weaver, northern brown-throated weaver, Clarke’s weaver, palm-nut vulture and Carruther’s cisticola among others. The swamp is approximately 45 minutes by boat from the Nakiwogo Landing site In Entebbe.
Since the swamp is close to the Entebbe international airport, it is a perfect starting point for all those who are interested in a long safari in Uganda.
Best time to visit mabamba swamp Mabamba shoebill tracking trips starting in Entebbe
The Mabamba swamp can be visited at any time of the day but if you wish to enjoy the birding tour, it is best you go in morning hours. Make sure you carry your sunglasses, hats, insect repellent, sun protection and a rain jacket for in case it rains. The climate of Mabamba swamp is the same as in other areas of Lake Victoria which has an average temperature of 17°C and a maximum temperature of 26°C
Getting to Mabamba Swamp
- By Car ( Entebbe/Kampala):
Following the Kawuku – Nakawuka road, drive approximately 41.5km (1 hour 15 minutes) on a dirt road. This drive can be longer in the wet season months of May & November – remember to find out the road Status.
- By Bicycle ( from Entebbe):
If you are a bicycle lover, you can opt to cycle your way to Mabamba Swamp in the company of a trained local cyclist guide. Cycling to Mabamba takes ± 2 hours. The route is through the local villages and therefore you get a better insight into the daily life of the locals.
- By boat ( from Entebbe – Nakiwogo Landing site)
Getting to Mabamba Swamp by boat is our most preferred style. We get you onto a motorized wooden canoe at the Nakiwogo landing site. The trip to Mabamba will last 45 minutes (one way) and is a lot more rewarding for bird lovers, as you get to see a lot More birds other than when you travel by bicycle or car.
THE UGLY TRUTH ABOUT MABAMBA SWAMP
Mabamba Swamp is home to well over 260 bird species including the shoebill stork and the swamp-dwelling sitatunga antelope – both endangered species near to extinction if their habitat is not protected from human encroachment.
We can work together in ensuring both the shoebill and sitatunga don’t get to the point of extinction. Below are two (02) ways we think you can help save both the sitatunga and Shoebill Stork on Lake Victoria from getting extinct.
How can I help protect the near to extinction (endangered) shoebill stork?
- Visit the Mabamba Swamp:
A visit to Mabamba Swamp does help increase awareness and also brings in some money which supports the Mabamba Bay Community Action Plan (MWETA) programmes. Out of the fee you pay for the Mabamba Swamp Tour with Realm Africa Safaris™, up to 15% is ploughed back into Shoebill Conservation inform of permit fees paid to MWETA Programmes. Book your tour now and save the endangered Shoebill from going extinct – together we can do this.
- Donate to the Mabamba Swamp Conservation Programme:
Interested parties can also take part in saving the near to extinction shoebill by directly donating money to the conservation programme. This money is used to implement the various conservation plans by the Mabamba bay Wetland Eco-Tourism Association (MWETA). For example, the money can be Used to further train more shoebill tracking site guides this way people will be equipped to earn from shoebill tracking giving them an even better reason to protect and conserve the shoebill and its habitat – the swamp on lake Victoria.
