Where in Uganda Can I see the Shoebill Stork in 2024 – 2025? The most popular shoebill tracking locations in Uganda where you have the best chances to spot the shoebill Stork are Mabamba Swamp in Entebbe, Lugogo Swamp in Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary, and the Nile Delta Area inside Murchison Falls National Park.
Top 03 Places where I can see the Shoebill Stork in 2024 – 2025
Seated on the mighty Lake Victoria – the world’s second-largest lake after Lake Superior, Mabamba Swamp is home to the vulnerable shoebill Stork. Mabamba Swamp is easily accessed from Entebbe using a traditional motorized canoe. Although shoebill tracking in the Mabamba swamp can be done both in the morning and afternoon, we have a preference for tracking In the morning when the temperatures are cool. The best time to track the shoebill in Mabamba Swamp is in the dry season from January-March
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Recommend Trip: Half-Day Mabamba Shoebill Tracking Tour.
Accessible through the Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the Lugogo swamp is among the top 09 places to indulge in Shoebill tracking In Uganda.
A visit to Lugogo Swamp for shoebill tracking can easily be combined with Rhino Tracking at Zziwa, Chimpanzee tracking in Budongo Forest, Shoebill tracking In Murchison Falls, a boat safari to the falls and a game viewing safari in Murchison Falls National Park.
Read more about Shoebill tracking In Lugogo Swamp Inside Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary.
Shoebill Tracking In Murchison Falls National Park is done at the Delta area – a spot where the Nile divides into Lake Albert and the Albert Nile – which continues further north through Sudan into the Mediterranean Sea.
While the delta area is popular for shoebill Tracking, it is also home to a variety of other beautiful Ugandan birds. Shoebill Tracking in Murchison Falls National Park is best done on a boat Safari down-stream. Alternatively, one can opt to take the boat trip one way to track the shoebill, and later join a guide on a game drive through the savannah plains of the gigantic Murchison Falls National Park.
** Taking a one-way boat safari requires proper planning. A packed lunch is recommended, and your guide must be informed to wait for you at the delta area. If booked with Realm Africa Safaris™, we take care of all this!
Read More about Shoebill Tracking In Murchison Falls National Park.
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Other Places in Uganda where I can see the Shoebill stork in 2024 – 2025
Located approximately 4 hours from Kampala, Lake Mburo National Park is another interesting park to visit for people seeking to see the rare shoebill Stork In Uganda.
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See our 03 Days Lake Mburo Safari including shoebill tracking
- Toro-Semuliki Reserve
Toro-Semuliki game reserve is Uganda’s bird sanctuary with well Over 400 bird species including the shoebill stork. The park is located in Southwestern Uganda and can be accessed from Fort Portal Town.
The Best time to visit the Toro-Semuliki reserve for birdwatching is March, just after the relatively dry season from December to February. This time is also the breeding time for most bird species.
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Makanaga Swamp is a good place to spot shoebills. It’s roughly a 60km drive from Entebbe, accessed via Kampala–Masaka Rd, taking the road down from Kamengo trading centre. Makanaga is less visited compared to Mabamba Swamp. This, therefore, makes Makanaga the best place to visit for very Intent birders who love to go to less crowded sites.
Lwera Swamp
Lwera Swamp en route to the western part of Uganda; Queen Elizabeth NP, Bwindi Forest NP & Lake Mburo National Park – is a good place to spot the shoebill. Although the chances here are slim, the sighting is getting very common these days. Your guide will often stop to speak to a few fellow guides or local folks to find out if there have been any Sightings.
- Ishasha Sector ( Queen Elizabeth NP)
Though popular for the tree climbing Lions, the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth NP has more to offer. Travelers can indulge in Shoebill tracking along the Marsh-filled Lake Edward shores. Besides tracking down the elusive shoebill stork, one can enjoy “remote” game-viewing experiences as this part Of the park is often skipped by Many tour operators. We love to take our clients to authentic places like Ishasha.
Things to see & do In Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth NP.
Previously known as Entebbe Zoo, the present-day Uganda Wildlife Education Centre is a rehabilitation centre for rescued animals recovered from poachers and traffickers. Among these living onsite is the rare shoebill.
The shoebill at UWEC is fairly tame and is very welcoming to her guests – the kids love to visit the shoebill exhibit.
For adults, a visit to the UWEC (zoo) will give you a proper insight into what Uganda has to offer in regard to wildlife. You Can also Indulge in our favourite “Behind-the-scenes experience“.
