UBDSSU/002 – 2-Day Birding Tour In Entebbe And Mabamba
Introduction
The 2 Days birding tour covers birding in Entebbe and Mabamba Wetland in Uganda and may start from Entebbe or any other location. This short birding tour offers a high chance of seeing the elusive Shoebill Stork and is also a great way to experience and sample the unique birdlife in Uganda if you have limited time.
Mabamba swamp, is the only place rated as the best in Africa or probably in the world where the elusive shoebill can be easily spotted at any one time of the day. Following in in the footsteps of Mabamba is Murchison Falls National Park
Tour highlights
- UWEC and Botanical Gardens Birding Tour
- Spotting birds in gardens, fields, and bushland along the trip to Mabamba
- Mabamba swamp shoebill stock experience
What you need:
- Some Binoculars.
- Camera with 200+ mm lens (Optional)
- Identification App (Optional)
Itinerary summary:
Day 1: Birding in Entebbe’s UWEC and the Botanical Gardens
Day 2: Birding in Mabamba Shoebill & Search for Shoebill Storks
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Birding in Entebbe – UWEC & Botanical Gardens
Pickup Location: Entebbe/Kampala (Hotel, Residence, or Airport)
On arrival at Entebbe Airport, you will be transferred to the Hotel by Snap Uganda Tours drive/guide.
After breakfast, our company representative will warmly welcome you and provide a briefing about the tour. The day starts with a visit to Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC), home to diverse wildlife and bird species, including:
- Rare Northern Weaver
- Orange Weaver
- Kingfishers
- Sunbirds
ABOUT ENTEBBE WILD LIFE EDUCATION CENTRE (UWEC)
Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) is a very commendable birding destination that gives you an opportunity to sight over 250 bird species on 72 hectares.
It is located on the edge of Lake Victoria with a rich vegetation, a wide range of birds, butterflies and other indigenous animals that make it an attractive venue for educational and recreational visits.
UWEC was established in 1994 as a trust to take over the Entebbe Zoo, primarily for Conservation Education purposes. Formerly called the “Entebbe Zoo”, UWEC was opened in 1952, as a Reception Centre for wild animals that were sick, injured, orphaned or confiscated from illegal trade.
The four ecosystems at UWEC; Forest, Savannah, wetland and open fresh water provide varied habitats for the diversity of birds with
over 250 bird species recorded. The centre has ¼ of Uganda’s bird species which include aquatic, terrestrial, migratory and native birds.
Later, enjoy a delicious lunch before proceeding to Entebbe Botanical Gardens, one of the best birding locations near Kampala. During an immersive birding walk, you may spot:
- Great Blue Turaco
- Ross’s Turaco
- Red-chested Cuckoo
- Great Reed Warbler
- Black Bishop
- Grey Woodpecker
- Copper Sunbird
ABOUT ENTEBBE BOTANICAL GARDENS
About 1.5 km north of UWEC is the Entebbe Botanical Gardens on the northern shores of Lake Victoria. The gardens cover about 40 hectares. The gardens have a collection of about 300 species of plants of the tropical, sub-tropical and temperate zones. About 200 plants are indigenous to Uganda, 110 exotics while 122 have known medicinal value. The gardens are home to a variety of primates, water, open country and woodland bird species among which include:
List of Birds at Entebbe Botanical Gardens
In the evening, return to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight rest.
Accommodation: Hotel in Entebbe or Kampala
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Day 02: Birding in Mabamba Wetland & Shoebill Search
Pickup Location: Hotel/Residence
After an early breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Mabamba Wetland, an exceptional birding site. En route, spot birds in gardens, fields, and bushlands before arriving at Mabamba Bay, where a wooden boat will be waiting to take you on an unforgettable birding experience.
The highlight of the tour is the shoebill stork, which can often be seen standing motionless, waiting for its favorite meal—lungfish. With its powerful, shoe-shaped beak, this prehistoric-looking bird is a must-see for any birding enthusiast.
ABOUT MABAMBA SWAMP
After an early morning breakfast with a packed lunch, we begin our birdwatching journey to Mabamba Swamp in search of the Shoebill Stork and a variety of other bird species. This swamp is one of Uganda’s 33 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) and is recognized as a Ramsar-listed wetland of international significance, hosting several key protected bird species.
The only location in Africa—and perhaps the entire world—where the secretive shoebill can be easily sighted at any time of day is Mabamba Swamp. Mabamba Swamp is the nearest place from Kampala where the critically endangered Shoebill can easily be seen.
A knowledgeable local guide will help find the Shoebill at Mabamba as you take a boat through water canals teeming with abundant bird life.
Here are some of the other birds you might see: African and Lesser Jacana, White-breasted, Blue-breast and Little Bee-eaters, Lesser Moorhen, Malachite and Pied Kingfishers, Black-headed, Long-toed Lapwing, Yellow-billed and White-backed Duck, African Marsh Harrier, Weyns’s Weaver, Blue Swallow and Red-headed among others. After that we proceed on to Lake Mburo National Park, with stopovers at the Equator, for the water experiment and a quick look at the craft shops and another stopover at Kaaku swamp to check on some birds like Lesser Moorhen, Little Grabe, African Darter, Grey-crowned Crane, Saddle-billed Stork, Spur-winged and Egyptian Geese, White-faced and Fulvuos Whistling-Duck and African Jacana among others.
List of birds in Mabamba Swamp
Other bird species you might encounter include:
- Red-capped Robin-Chat
- White-winged Warbler
- Banded Snake Eagle
After an incredible morning of birdwatching, return to the dock and meet your driver for your transfer back to Entebbe/Kampala or directly to the airport for your flight home.
Tour Includes
- Birdwatching experiences
- All activities in the itinerary
- On-board meal
- Transportation in a 4×4 WD vehicle
- English-speaking driver-guide
- Bottled water
- Boat rides
- Pickup and drop-off
Tour Excludes
- International flights
- Visas
- Personal expenses
- Tips & gratuities
- Laundry services
- Any activities not included in the itinerary
You can send your enquiry via the form below.
Trip name: * UBDSSU/001- 2-day birding tour in Entebbe and Mabamba wetland
Related Uganda Safaris