The Mabamba Bay Swamp and Wetland Mabamba Swamp and Wetland is a testament to Uganda’s natural blessings. Despite being a relatively small country, Uganda stands out as one of the world’s premier destinations for birdwatching. The sheer diversity and abundance of bird species here are truly remarkable. Mabamba Bay Swamp is just one of several important birding areas in Uganda. Situated conveniently close to Kampala city and Entebbe town, it allows birders to spot many of Uganda’s renowned avian inhabitants without venturing into more remote parks.
Mabamba Bay Wetland, nestled within Lake Victoria, lies near Entebbe town (approximately 40 km away) and Kampala city. The local communities engage in activities such as hunting, fishing, and mining. However, Mabamba Swamp’s true claim to fame lies in its extraordinary bird collection, with over 260 recorded species. It ranks among the top tourist attractions in Entebbe. In 2006, the swamp was designated a Ramsar Site—a wetland of international importance—due to its rare and captivating birdlife. Notable species include the Papyrus Yellow Warbler, Shoebill Stork (Balaeniceps rex), Blue Swallow (Hirundo atrocaerulea), and Sitatunga (a swamp-dwelling antelope). The Ramsar Convention, an intergovernmental treaty, advocates for wetland conservation, wise utilization, and protection of their treasures. This treaty was established in 1971 in the city of Ramsar, Iran.
Due to its international recognition, the Mabamba Swamp has been designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA), attracting numerous birders to Uganda. It is renowned as one of the best locations for birding safaris in the country. Situated near Entebbe International Airport, it serves as an ideal starting point for those embarking on extended safaris in Uganda. The primary highlight of Mabamba Swamp is the Shoebill Stork. Alongside Murchison Falls National Park, it offers the best opportunities to spot this remarkable bird species. However, Mabamba Swamp is not solely about Shoebill Storks; it also serves as a sanctuary for four threatened species: the Papyrus Gonolek, Blue Swallow, Pallid Harrier, and White-Winged Warbler. Additionally, the swamp hosts a diverse array of other bird species, including the Yellow-throated Greenbul, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Yellow-billed Ducks, and many more.
Exploring the Shoebill Stork and Birding Tours in Mabamba Bay Swamp
Locally known as “Bbulwe,” the Shoebill Stork derives its name from its enormous shoe-shaped bill. This elusive bird, with its mysterious physical appearance, is highly sought after by birdwatchers in Uganda. Its most remarkable feature is its massive, uneven, yellow-colored bill, which some consider rather unattractive, resembling a creature from the Jurassic age. Nevertheless, both tourists and seasoned birders find Shoebill Storks incredibly fascinating. Hundreds of bird enthusiasts flock to Uganda specifically to catch a glimpse of these majestic birds.
Shoebills inhabit the papyrus swamps of Sub-Saharan Africa, including regions in DR Congo, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Sudan. Uganda alone hosts approximately 1000 individuals. Besides Mabamba Swamp, where they are commonly found, Shoebill Storks can also be sighted in other Ugandan locations such as Queen Elizabeth National Park (Ishasha Sector), Nabajuzi Swamp (in Masaka), Murchison Falls Park, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Lake Mburo National Park, Semliki Wildlife Reserve, and around Lake Kyoga. Their preferred diet includes Lungfish, but they also feed on smaller water birds, water snakes, frogs, lizards, turtles, young crocodiles, snails, and rodents. Interestingly, Lungfish thrive in Mabamba because the Baganda people do not consume them; in fact, one of the Baganda clans is named after this unique fish.
The Shoebill Stork in The Mabamba Bay Swamp
The Shoebill Stork is a solitary bird, with pairs coming together only during the breeding season. Breeding typically occurs during the dry season, likely to prevent nests from being damaged by heavy floods. Female Shoebills lay between one to three eggs, and both parents share incubation duties until the chicks hatch. After hatching, the pair focuses on feeding their young until they can forage independently. It takes approximately 3 to 4 years for the young Shoebills to reach breeding age, and usually, only one survives to adulthood—the strongest one. Adult Shoebills weigh around 14 pounds and can live for over 50 years. For more detailed information, you can refer to a comprehensive article about the Shoebill Stork.
Getting to Mabamba Bay Swamp and Wetland
Mabamba Bay Swamp is accessible from both Kampala and Entebbe. If you’re coming from Entebbe, follow the old Entebbe-Kampala Road and branch off from Kisubi. Drive through Nakawuka and Kasanje until you reach Mabamba. Alternatively, if you’re starting from Kampala, you have two options. First, take a taxi from the new taxi park to Kasanje trading center. From there, hire a boda boda (motorcycle taxi) to Mabamba, which is approximately 13.5 kilometers away. Another route is to use the Masaka road and branch off after about 30 kilometers to Buyege. The distance from Buyege to Mabamba is roughly 22 kilometers. To avoid all this hustle consider booking a Birding trip with us that can be tailor made to your liking email us on info@gorillatreksafaris.com
For a more adventurous and scenic journey, consider taking a speedboat from Entebbe town through Lake Victoria. This route allows you to marvel at the lake’s beauty while bypassing Entebbe town and the airport. The speedboat ride to Mabamba takes approximately 45 to 50 minutes. You can hire speedboats from select hotels in Entebbe or at the Entebbe sailing club. Keep in mind that these large speedboats are not suitable for navigating the papyrus swamps near Mabamba. Once you’re near the wetland, prepare to switch to smaller canoes, which are ideal for exploring the papyrus swamps. Better still you can consider booking a Birding trip with us that can be tailor made to your liking email us on info@gorillatreksafaris.com
Upon arriving at the starting point, you’ll encounter numerous birding guides and fishermen eager to accompany you deep into the wetland for bird-spotting. These well-organized boatmen and bird guides have a designated leader who communicates on their behalf. The leader assigns a boatman and guide to each visitor. The canoes can accommodate up to three birders (excluding the guide and boat driver). Before embarking, you’ll need to pay a community fee of approximately $7 at their small office. The combined cost for the boat and guide is around $35. It’s essential to wear a life jacket or request one, as many boats lack them. The boat owners and birding guides are local residents from nearby communities. By paying for their services, you contribute to the community and help conserve the wetland’s birdlife and other creatures. People are less likely to harm something that benefits them.
As the boat glides through the reeds, pay close attention to both sides of the narrow pathways and the airspace. Your guide and boatman will skillfully navigate through the papyrus and lily pads, bringing you closer to the birds. After a few minutes of rowing, the narrow papyrus reeds give way to expansive grassy swamps. Keep your binoculars and camera ready, as the sheer number of birds may surprise you if you’re unprepared. Look out for bee-eaters, kingfishers, and other species. Don’t miss the beautiful butterflies and lotus flowers. The optimal time to spot Shoebills is during the morning hours when they venture out to feed. Photographing Storks is relatively easier than capturing many other bird species because they remain still for extended periods, observing fish, frogs, and other prey before striking. They balance themselves on floating reeds.
SHOEBILL in MABAMBA with the Lungfish in it’s Bill
The chances of encountering Shoebills in Mabamba are quite high. The success rate owes much to the excellent cooperation and teamwork among the birding guides. When multiple visitors arrive at the bay, the guides disperse to different sections of the swamp. Constant communication ensures that whoever spots the Shoebills first alerts the others. Soon, all the boats converge silently, allowing birders to observe the birds. Once you’ve located the Shoebill and enjoyed sufficient birdwatching, return to the lake and find the larger boat waiting to take you back to your hotel. As you depart the Mabamba wetland, keep an eye out—you might be lucky enough to spot more Shoebills along the swampy shores of the lake or in nearby lagoons.
Important Information about Birding Tours in Mabamba:
- Birding tours are available daily and typically last about 4 hours. Full-day birding tours can also be arranged upon request.
- The period between September and March offers the best birdwatching opportunities, as migratory birds arrive from Europe.
- To ensure better planning, book your Mabamba swamp tour at least one day in advance. Your tour company or private driver will pick you up early in the morning from your hotel or residence.
- For an optimal birdwatching experience, bring along a backpack, packed food (in case you get hungry), binoculars, insect repellents, a hat, sunscreen, a rain jacket, trousers, and long-sleeved shirts.
Other Activities and Points of Interest in Mabamba Swamp: Apart from birdwatching, the Mabamba wetland also boasts a diverse array of butterfly species. With over 200 butterfly species, keep an eye out for common ones like Bicyclus sebetus, Acraea consanquine, Acraea aganice, Achaea aurivilli, and Abisaraneavei. Enjoy the natural beauty and biodiversity of this unique ecosystem!
Upon arriving at the starting point, you’ll encounter numerous birding guides and fishermen eager to accompany you deep into the wetland for bird-spotting. These well-organized boatmen and bird guides have a designated leader who communicates on their behalf. The leader assigns a boatman and guide to each visitor. The canoes can accommodate up to three birders (excluding the guide and boat driver).
It’s essential to wear a life jacket or request one, as many boats lack them. The boat owners and birding guides are local residents from nearby communities. By giving a tip after their services, you contribute to the community and help conserve the wetland’s birdlife and other creatures. People are less likely to harm something that benefits them.
As the boat glides through the reeds, pay close attention to both sides of the narrow pathways and the airspace. Your guide and boatman will skillfully navigate through the papyrus and lily pads, bringing you closer to the birds. After a few minutes of rowing, the narrow papyrus reeds give way to expansive grassy swamps. Keep your binoculars and camera ready, as the sheer number of birds may surprise you if you’re unprepared. Look out for bee-eaters, kingfishers, and other species. Don’t miss the beautiful butterflies and lotus flowers. The optimal time to spot Shoebills is during the morning hours when they venture out to feed. Photographing Storks is relatively easier than capturing many other bird species because they remain still for extended periods, observing fish, frogs, and other prey before striking. They balance themselves on floating reeds.
The chances of encountering Shoebills in Mabamba are quite high. The success rate owes much to the excellent cooperation and teamwork among the birding guides. When multiple visitors arrive at the bay, the guides disperse to different sections of the swamp. Constant communication ensures that whoever spots the Shoebills first alerts the others. Soon, all the boats converge silently, allowing birders to observe the birds. Once you’ve located the Shoebill and enjoyed sufficient birdwatching, return to the lake and find the larger boat waiting to take you back to your hotel. As you depart the Mabamba wetland, keep an eye out—you might be lucky enough to spot more Shoebills along the swampy shores of the lake or in nearby lagoons.
Important Information about Birding Tours in Mabamba:
- Birding tours are available daily and typically last about 4 hours. Full-day birding tours can also be arranged upon request.
- The period between September and March offers the best birdwatching opportunities, as migratory birds arrive from Europe.
- To ensure better planning, book your Mabamba swamp tour at least one day in advance. The tour guide will pick you up early in the morning from your hotel or residence.
- For an optimal birdwatching experience, bring along a backpack, packed food (in case you get hungry), binoculars, insect repellents, a hat, sunscreen, a rain jacket, trousers, and long-sleeved shirts.
Other Activities and Points of Interest in Mabamba Swamp: Apart from birdwatching, the Mabamba wetland also boasts a diverse array of butterfly species. With over 200 butterfly species, keep an eye out for common ones like Bicyclus sebetus, Acraea consanquine, Acraea aganice, Achaea aurivilli, and Abisaraneavei. Enjoy the natural beauty and biodiversity of this unique ecosystem!
Exploring Mabamba Bay Swamp Wetland: A Guide to Activities and Conservation
- Spot Fishing: Before tourism gained prominence, fishing was the primary activity in Mabamba. Even today, fishing remains the main economic pursuit in the area. Popular fish species include Tilapia, mudfish, lungfish, and the large Nile Perch. Local fishermen can be found around the swamp. Visitors can either join them or observe from a distance. If you decide to participate, bring your own equipment or use locally crafted hooks and rods.
- Sitatunga Antelope Spotting: Mabamba Swamp serves as an essential sanctuary for the elusive Sitatunga antelope. While birdwatching in the vast swamp, you might encounter these rare creatures. Unfortunately, their numbers have declined due to uncontrolled poaching. Poachers expose and capture them by burning down their marshy hiding places. Conservation efforts by the government and wildlife organizations aim to protect them through community awareness.
- Canoeing Adventures: Arrange for longer canoe trips to explore more bird species, go fishing, and tour the nearby islands of Lake Victoria. Always wear a life jacket when boarding a canoe. If you don’t have one, choose a boat that provides safety gear.
- Village Walks and Craft Shops: Take village walks to interact with locals and learn about their way of life. Many residents near the swamp practice subsistence farming. Additionally, visit local craft shops to admire beautifully crafted bags, mats, baskets, and huts. These items are often made from reeds sourced from the swamp. The wetland also provides herbs and building materials for local huts.
- Exploring Entebbe: Entebbe, a charming town, offers more attractions. After birdwatching at Mabamba Bay Wetland, relax by Lake Victoria or visit the Uganda Wildlife Education Center (zoo). Don’t miss the pristine Ssese Islands and the Ngamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary.
- Conservation Efforts and the Future: Tourists flock to Uganda to spot the Shoebill Stork, drawing attention to its declining population. The Mabamba swamp hosts not only Shoebills but also over 200 other bird species. Rare creatures like the Sitatunga antelope also call this wetland home. While poaching threatens the antelopes, habitat loss poses the greatest risk to the Shoebill Stork. Human encroachment, including house construction, continues to drain the wetland. Designating Mabamba as a Ramsar site has improved bird protection. Sensitization efforts educate fishermen and nearby communities about the wetland’s importance. Fishermen now benefit by renting boats to tourists, and some have become trained birding guides. The economic value of tourism has elevated the Shoebill Stork’s status as a highly respected bird worth safeguarding.
