The Mabamba swamp also known as Mabamba wetland and sometimes refered to an Island is the convenient destination in Uganda that harbours the rare shoebills and a variety of bird species. The Mabamba Swamp is found in the western part of Entebbe on Lake Victoria the biggest and fresh water lake in Africa.

The bird watching activity on this wetland is mostly done in a canoe, where you navigate waterways comprising papyrus grass and lily pads along the swamp. The swamp is a habitat to many bird species among which include notable birds like the rare shoebills, papyrus yellow warbler, pallid harrier, blue swallow to mention but a few.

The shoebills are easily spotted very early in the morning when they stalk their main prey, the fish and small aquatic animals but still they can be spotted all day. They usually hide in the water weeds and stand absolutely still for long periods awaiting the movements of their prey.

How to get to Mabamba swamp?

By boat:
You can reach Mabamba by boat across Lake Victoria. This increases your spots on different bird species on Lake Victoria that you have missed and also gives you an opportunity to see other activities on Lake Victoria that is to say fishing activities and the fresh breath on the lake.

By road:
You can also drive either via Entebbe road or Masaka road. This takes you about 1hr and 20minutes.

At the Island
A canoe ride through papyrus swamp will take you at the best view of spotting the Shoebills which usually hide in the water weeds to feed on the fish. A variety of other bird species to be spotteed include the African Jacana, Lesse Jacana, Blue reasted Bee eater, Common Moorhen, African Purple Swamphen, Swamp Flycatchers, African Water Rail, Saddle billed Stork, Squacco heron, African Pygime Goose, Malachite Kingfisher and White faced whistling duck and many more.