Mabamba Swamp is the best place to go for shoebill tracking in Uganda. It only takes 45 minutes (one way) in a motorized Canoe to get from Entebbe to Mabamba Swamp on Lake Victoria.
The best way to get to Mabamba Swamp is by boat from Nakiwogo (Port Alice) in Entebbe. This trip takes about 45 minutes (one-way) using a motorized wooden canoe. On arrival at Mabamba, you will hop into a smaller canoe that will then take you into the swamp.
Why hop into a Smaller canoe? The smaller canoe is easier to haul around the marsh vegetation of the swamp.
The entire search for the shoebill stork might last anywhere from 15 minutes to a couple of hours. This all revolves around luck…..please don’t forget to bring some luck with you🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞😊😊.
From when you find it, you will be allowed up to about 01 hour of viewing, photographing, or filming (non-commercial) the shoebill stork.
Interested in Filming the shoebill for commercial purposes? check out the requirement of Filming the shoebill in Uganda.
Once you are finished viewing, photographing, or filming, your smaller boat will then transfer you back to the point where you left the bigger motorized canoe, hop back on to it, and then embark on a journey back to Nakiwogo (Port Alice) on the Entebbe Mainland.
You will then meet up with your vehicle and transfer back to your hotel or home where your travel started.
How safe are these Canoes Plying the Entebbe – Mabamba route?
Safety while aboard these motorized canoes has been taken into account.
- You’ll be provided with a life jacket to ensure that you are safe in the unusual event that you are involved in some sort of accident while on your trip.
- The local skippers are well-trained swimmers and are able to deal with/manage any rescue scenarios that might unlikely arise.
- The local beach management committee is vigilant to ensure that all boats/canoes that carry tourists meet the minimum safety requirements set.
Very important to note, that we have not had any scenario that has involved a tourist boat/canoe getting involved in an accident on the way to Mabamba
