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1 DAY MABAMBA SWAMP BIRDING EXCURSION
1 Day Mabamba Swamp Birding Excursion – SAFARI OVERVIEW
Our 1 day Mabamba Swamp birding excursion is a whole day birding tour to Uganda’s Mabamba Bay Swamp, the most reliable and convenient place to catch a rare glimpse of the highly sought-after Shoebill in its natural habitat. This prehistoric-looking bird is very high on most world birders’ wish list, and for good reason. It is just so different, with a huge, yellow, human-like eyes and that massive bill which looks like a shoe − it is the largest bill among all living bird species.
Mabamba Swamp is an Important Bird Area and a Ramsar − listed wetland of international importance on the northern shore of Lake Victoria, the world’s largest freshwater lake. This 1 day Mabamba Swamp birding excursion will be done from a canoe paddled by an expert local bird guide. The canoe ride along the narrow channels of the swamp will also give us chances of sighting other fantastic birds of Mabamba including the Papyrus Gonolek, Africa Pygmy goose, lesser jacana, Gull-bellied tern, Blue-breasted bee-eater, Carruther’s cisticola, White-winged warbler, Vieillot’s weaver and Palm-nut Vulture plus more as the checklist of birds reach 300 species. The swamp dwelling Sitatunga antelope is also present. The day excursion commences and ends in Kampala.
If you’ve got favorites or any personal requests about this birding safari − please let us know.
1 Day Mabamba Swamp Birding Excursion – PRIME SAFARI ACTIVITIES
Canoe ride in Mabamba Swamp in search of the Shoebills and other special waterbirds
1 Day Mabamba Swamp Birding Excursion – FEATURED SAFARI DESTINATIONS
Swamp on Lake Victoria shore
1 Day Mabamba Swamp Birding Excursion − DETAILED SAFARI ITINERARY
After breakfast, we’ll embark on 50km (about 1 hour) drive from Kampala to Mabamba Swamp. We’ll make an early start from Kampala (at around 6.00 am) to get there before many other visitors arrive. On reaching the swamp, we’ll embark on a canoe ride in company of a local guide with expertise in paddling through the narrow water channels surrounded by dense swamp vegetation. The magical species of this location is the Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex). This prehistoric-looking bird is very high on most world birders’ wish list, and for good reason. It is just so different, with a huge, yellow, human-like eyes and that massive bill that looks like a shoe (thus, the name). This huge, bulbous bill, which is straw-coloured with erratic greyish markings, is 5 inches wide, about 12 inches long. It is complete with a terrifyingly sharp hook, meant to capture lungfish, snakes, Nile monitor lizards and baby crocodiles.
Besides the shoebill, we’ll also see excellent selection of other fantastic birds including:- Africa Pygmy goose, Papyrus gonolek, Lesser jacana, Gull-bellied tern, Blue swallow, Blue-breasted bee-eater, Carruther’s cisticola, White-winged warbler, Golden-backed weaver, Slender-billed weaver, Northern Brown-throated weaver, Vieillot’s weaver, Orange weaver, Black-headed weaver, Clarke’s weaver, Grosbeak weaver, Weyn’s Weaver, Pallid Harrier, Allen’s and Purple Gallinule, Grey herons, Swamp flycatcher and Palm-nut vulture.
The swamp dwelling Sitatunga antelope may be explored during the swamp tour. You will retreat from the experience and drive back to Kampala to mark the end of the excursion.
Highlight of the day: – Canoe ride in Mabamba Swamp in search of the incredible Shoebill.
Meal Plan: – Breakfast & Lunch
Drive Distance & time: – Approx. 50km or 1 hours
Activities & services of the day include:-
- Transfer from Kampala to Mabamba Swamp
- Birding in Mabamba Bay Swamp
Optional activities you can choose to do on this day include:-
- Community tour
- Birding in Entebbe Botanic Gardens
- Visit Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
- Visit Uganda Wildlife Education Centre for the Chimpanzee up close encounter
- Entebbe city tour
- Fishing on Lake Victoria
- Sundowner boat cruise on Lake Victoria
End of the 1 Day Mabamba Swamp Birding Excursion
1 Day Mabamba Swamp Birding Excursion − SAFARI INCLUSIONS
Transportation in 4X4 Safari vehicle
Full time English professional safari driver guide
Canoe ride fees
Wi-Fi Internet on board the safari vehicle
Bottled water
1 Day Mabamba Swamp Birding Excursion − SAFARI EXCLUSIONS
International & domestic flight fees
Visa fees
Laundry services
Items of personal nature
Gratuities and tips
Other beverages/ drinks
Other extras not mentioned in the itinerary above
Getting There
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Accommodations/ Safari Lodges/ Safari Hotels to Your Safari Destinations
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Accommodation in Kampala
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At Prime Safaris and Tours Ltd, your safety is our utmost priority. We have thus undertaken the necessary safety measures in compliance with the approved Standard Operating Procedures by the Governments of ALL African countries in which we operate with a goal of protecting our customers while travelling and on their Africa safari. The following guidelines will be applicable for your Safari in Uganda, Rwanda, Congo and other African Countries.
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