Bird watching in Mabamba swamp; Mabamba swamp is one of the best bird watching destinations in Uganda located on the northern shore of Lake Victoria, west of Entebbe. Mabamba swamp is a Ramsar site and was awarded a status of a wetland of international importance due to the fact that it harbors globally threatened species in 2006. Mabamba swamp is recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by Birdlife International. The swamp covers a total area of 2424 ha and it’s comprised of water lilies, wetland grass and thick marshes of papyrus.

Mabamba swamp is a home of over 300 recorded bird species including globally threatened species, 7 of the 12 Lake Victoria biome restricted species and wetland species which makes it one of the best bird watching areas in Uganda. Birding in Mabamba swamp can either be done early in the morning or in the afternoon from a motorized wooden boat riding through the thick marshes with an experience bird guide who will help you to spot different bird species including the prehistoric Shoebill Stork, Papyrus Yellow Warbler, Blue Swallow, Yellow-throated Greenbul, Papyrus Gonolek, Yellow-backed Weaver, White-winged Warbler, Swamp Flycatcher, White-faced Whistling Duck, Yellow-billed Kite, Stripped Kingfisher, Squacco Heron, Purple Heron, Tawny Eagle, Ross’s Turaco, Pink-backed Pelican, Pygmy Geese, Red-shouldered Cuckoo Shrike, Pied Kingfisher, Saddle-billed Stork, Speckled Mousebird, Spur-winged Lapwing, Slender-billed Gull, Mosque Swallow, Long-crested Eagle, Lesser Jacana, Grey Crowned Crane, Little Stilt, Marsh Harrier, Great White Pelican, Great Blue Turaco, Fork-tailed Drongo, Grey Parrot, Double Toothed Barbet, Crowned Hornbill, Common Stonechat, Cattle Egret, Common Bulbul, Brown Snake-eagle, Blue-headed Coucal, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Black Crake, African Jacana, African Fish Eagle, Angola Swallow, African Pied Wagtail, Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Orange Weaver, Long Tailed Cormorant, Wood Sandpiper, Yellow-billed Duck, Hadada Ibis, Malachite Kingfisher, Shining Blue Kingfisher, Great Cormorant, Black-crowned Waxbill, Ashy Flycatcher, Long Toed Lapwing, Levaillants Cuckoo, Flappet Lark, Grassland Pipit  among others.

Best time to go 

Bird watching in Mabamba swamp can be done all year round though the best time is during the wet season in the months of march to April and September to November because that’s the best time where you will be able to view colorful and migratory bird species from Europe.

How to get to Mabamba swamp

Mabamba swamp is located on the northern shore of lake Victoria and can be accessed from Entebbe which takes one hour road drive to Mabamba village where you will get a local dugout canoe to the swamp and from Kampala, the journey takes about one hour drive via Nakiwogo landing site in Entebbe where you will take a ferry crossing to Nakawuka-Kasanje landing sit and then connect to Mabamba swamp

Mabamba swamp can also be accessed by boat across Lake Victoria to Mabamba starting point where you will board a canoe through the papyrus swamps, the speed boat takes about 45 to 50 minutes and can be hired from hotel in Entebbe. When using the speed boat, you will be able to enjoy great views of Lake Victoria, Entebbe town among others.

Where to stay during your bird watching safari  

There are a number of accommodation facilities near Mabamba swamp where you can stay during your bird watching safari. The accommodations range from budget, midrange and luxury including Protea Hotel Entebbe, Mabamba Lodge, Karibu Guesthouse, Nkima Forest Lodge, Lake Victoria Serena Hotel, Best Western Hotel, Papyrus Guest House, Sundiata Beach Resort, Buvi Lodge among others.

What to carry

When going for your bird watching safari in Mabamba swamp, there are a number of essential items that you should carry including insect repellent, long sleeved clothes, waterproof rain jacket, a pair of binoculars, camera and extra batteries , field guidebook, backpack, water bottle, a wide brimmed hat among others.

Apart from bird watching, there are other activities that you can engage in during your safari in Mabamba swamp for example spot fishing, wildlife viewing where you will be able to view sitatunga antelopes, butterfly viewing, canoeing, village walks where you will be able to interact with the local people among others.  Bird watching in Mabamba swamp can also be combined with other activities in different national parks like boat cruise, chimpanzee trekking, gorilla trekking, game drives/ game viewing, mountain climbing, guided nature walks, cultural tours among others. For more information about bird watching in Mabamba swamp, you can contact us at Achieve Global Safaris