Day Shoebill trips to Mabamba Wetlands Entebbe.

Day shoebill trips to Mabamba wetlands Entebbe-Mabamba Swamp is located west of Entebbe on the adjustment wetland connected directly to Lake Victoria  on the northern shore of Lake Victoria, Covering 2400 hectors  consisting of thick papyrus marshes, water lilies and other wetland grasses, Mabamba swamp is a Ramseur site and Important Bird Area in Uganda  , The wetland hosts over 200 bird species that include many globally threatened species, 7 of Uganda’s 12 Lake Victoria biome restricted species (notable is the Papyrus Gonolek) and plenty of wetland species . The wetland also hosts huge flocks of Palearctic migrants every year from October to March which is one of the best seasons for bird watching in Uganda.

Birding in Mabamba swamp is done from a motorized wooden canoe boat by riding through a maze of trails cutting through the thick marshes.

The Shoebill stork.

The shoebill also is known as whale head, whale-headed stork, or shoe-billed stork, is a very large stork-like bird. It derives its name from its enormous shoe-shaped bill. It has a somewhat stork-like overall form and has previously been classified with the storks  based on this morphology. This large water bird is unmistakable distinctive due to its unique ‘shoe-shaped bill which gives it an almost prehistoric appearance.

The global population is currently estimated at between 5,000-8,000 birds and the species is classed as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

How to see the shoebill in Mabamba swamp Entebbe.

Shoebill habitats like lakes, swamps and river banks are swampy, travelers will need to use speed boat or canoe boat while embarking on a journey to search for the endangered shoebill as they can be concentrated deep in the papyrus marsh which is where they have better chances of catching the fish which is their main prey.

The best times to see the shoebill in the morning as they active feeding and later in the evening as they try the last chance for prey before heading to the nest.

During the day sometimes the shoebill flies high up in the sky and they tent to change places too.

When is the best time to see the shoebill stork in Mabamba?

Shoebills can be seen all year round but during the rainy season, most of the swamp beds sub-merge in the water making it difficult for the shoebill to hunt so they may change the habitat, in any case, some of the new habitats are not easily accessible by boat so the best time to see the shoebill is usually the dry months in Uganda which runs from July-September and from January-march.