1 Day Bird Watching at Mabamba Wetland

The 1-day birding trip at Mabamba is one of the most popular short-day birding trips in Uganda. Bird-watching at Mabamba wetland in Entebbe is one of the most popular birding excursions on Uganda birding safaris.  Home to the iconic shoebill stork, Mabamba wetland is a globally important birding area a must-visit for every birder in the Pearl of Africa.  The wetland is also a Ramsar site wetland made up of papyrus swamps, marshlands, and open waters.  A canoe trip in the swamp offers you the best opportunity for seeing the shoebill stork and other birds in the swamp.

Detailed Itinerary

Following an early morning breakfast between 6:00 am and 7:00 am, the driver guide from Superfine Safaris Limited will pick you up from your hotel in Entebbe/Kampala and drive to Mabamba wetland.  Arrive at Mabamba landing site and jump onto a motorized dugout canoe guided by a local guide.   Enjoy a cruise navigating through the papyrus swamp, watching out closely for a shoebill stork. A look at the iconic shoebill stork rewards birders with a magical feel that they live to cherish..  In addition to shoebill, Mabamba is also home to other bird species, which include Papyrus Gonolek, African Jacana, Malachite Kingfisher, Goliath Heron, African Marsh Harrier, White-winged Swamp Warbler, and various egrets and ducks, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Long-toed Lapwing, Purple Swamphen, and Weyn’s Weaver among others

Depending on your available time, you can choose to do half or a full day to have the best of your birding excursion. Altogether, Mabamba wetland shelters over 300 bird species

Tips for birding at Mabamba wetland

To ensure a memorable bird watching experience at Mabamba wetkand, birders are advised to

• Carry binoculars for the best viewing experience.
• Wear neutral-colored, light clothes and closed shoes to protect your feet from getting soaked in mud
• All insect repellents
• Carry a hat and sunglasses
• Bring a rain jacket in case it rains

Cost of bird watching in Mabamba Wetland

The cost of the birding experience in the Mamamba wetland is not specific. The cost varies depending on the tour operator you choose, the size of your group, and other things that may be included in the itinerary. The cost ranges between $100 $300 for a full-day birding excursion.  This is inclusive of day transportation, Canoe, Birding guide fee, bottled drinking water, site fees, and packed lunch.

Other Activities in Entebbe

In addition to bird watching at Mabamba, travelers in Entebbe have much more to see.  Other things to see and do in Entebbe include

Lake Victoria Island Cycling Tour

Enjoy the wonderful bike ride through the countryside and villages of Entebbe with Superfine Safaris Limited. Cycling through the remote areas near and around Lake Victoria helps you to experience amazing nature, small villages, taste local food, and so many people greeting and smiling at you. The experience takes you through villages, forests, and lake shores as you meet and interact with local people. Biking through the forest gives you a chance to see birds and several monkey species seen up in the trees.

Walking Tours at Entebbe Zoo and the botanical gardens

Enjoy a nature walk at the Entebbe zoo (Uganda Wildlife Education Center) to see a variety of birds, animals, and reptiles habituated there.  Expect to see different animals such as Lions, tigers, giraffes, baboons, snakes, monkeys, and much more!  More so, enjoy a walk in the Entebbe botanical gardens, where you can learn about different trees, plants, and general wildlife.

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Tour

Board a boat to visit the chimpanzee at Ngamba Island to see the habituated chimpanzees. Enjoy seeing chimpanzees being taken care of. Participate in feeding them and learn more about them. A boat cruise to and from the island makes this day trip more enjoyable.

Uganda Reptile Village

Visit the Uganda reptile village in Entebbe to see and learn about different reptiles. The village is a very basic sanctuary with various snakes, crocodiles, tortoises, and chameleons, where you can get up close.

Boat cruise on Lake Victoria

Enjoy a sunset boat cruise on Lake Victoria, the freshwater body shared between Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. The cruise offers you the best of Lake Victoria with clear views of local communities, fishing villages, and islands.

Contact Superfine Safaris Limited for an affordable bird watching tour at Mabamba Wetland. Contact us  for day excursions to visit the botanical gardens and other tourism destinations in and around Entebbe