2 Day Birding Tour in Mabamba Wetland

This exciting 2-day birding safari takes you through Entebbe and Mabamba Wetland, offering a rare opportunity to spot the elusive shoebill stork up close, along with a variety of other fascinating bird species.

Tour Overview

Mabamba Wetland, located west of Entebbe on the northern shores of Lake Victoria, covers an area of 2,424 hectares with lush marshes of papyrus, water lilies, and other wetland vegetation. This site is recognized as an Important Birding Area (IBA), home to over 300 bird species, including globally threatened ones.

Mabamba ranks as the second-best location in Africa to see the shoebill stork at any time of the day, following Murchison Falls National Park. Other notable bird species in the area include:

Great White Pelican
Green Cuckoo
Grey-crowned Crane
Pied Wagtail
Swamp Flycatcher
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
Black-crowned Waxbill
African Marsh Harrier
African Pygmy Goose

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01 :Birding in Entebbe – UWEC & Botanical Gardens

Pickup Location: Entebbe/Kampala (Hotel, Residence, or Airport)

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

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

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.

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.