Mabamba Swamp is situated 12km west of Entebbe on the northern shore of Lake Victoria, covering 100Km2. Mabamba site is a designated Ramsar site and Important Bird Area. The swamp is characterized by thick papyrus reeds, water lilies, open water areas and other wetland grasses creating a unique ecosystem that supports a variety of wildlife.
How to reach Mabamba swamp
You can get to Mabamba Swamp through a number of routes from both Kampala and Entebbe. The easiest route being via the Nakiwogo landing site in Entebbe from where you can take a 10 minutes ferry crossing to Kasanje landing site and from there drive for about 20 minutes to Mabamba Swamp. This route passes through cultivations and open fields that have an abundance of garden birds.
Rich Birdlife: The Shoebill Stork Sanctuary
One of the main attractions of Mabamba Swamp is the shoebill stork (Balaeniceps rex), a prehistoric-looking bird with a large, shoe-shaped bill. The swamp’s shallow waters and abundant vegetation provide an ideal habitat for these majestic birds, which are considered a vulnerable species due to habitat loss and hunting in other parts of Africa. The rare bird is found in few places in Uganda and Mabamba Swamp is the most accessible and reliable with the best chances of seeing the Shoebill in Uganda.
The shoebill stork is a solitary bird known for its peculiar appearance and behaviour. It stands up to 5 feet tall, with a wingspan of over 7 feet, making it one of the largest birds in Africa. Its primary diet consists of lungfish and other aquatic creatures found in the swamp’s waters. Bird watchers and photographers from around the world flock to Mabamba Swamp for a chance to observe and photograph these rare and fascinating birds in their habitat.
In addition to the shoebill stork, Mabamba Swamp is home to over 300 other bird species, both resident and migratory. Some of the birds that can be spotted in the swamp include the African Fish Eagle, African Green Pigeon, Black-crowned Night Heron, Cattle Egret, and Long-toed Lapwing, Malachite Kingfisher, Marsh Harrier, Northern Brown-throated Weather, Orange Weaver, Papyrus Gonolek and Pied Kingfisher among others. The diversity of birdlife makes Mabamba Swamp a paradise for bird enthusiasts and researchers interested in studying wetland ecosystems and avian behaviour.
History of the Shoebill in Mabamba Swamp and the Fishermen
Mabamba Swamp is rich with lungfish (called “mamba” in a local dialect) which is the favorite food for the Shoebill. However, the lungfish is also one of the most sought-after fish by the local fishermen, creating competition with the Shoebill. The fishermen had long held a superstition that seeing a Shoebill (locally called ‘Boolwe’) resulted in a poor catch that day. And so, they hunted the Shoebills and killed them, leading to a decline in the numbers and almost rendered them extinct in the wetland. Designating the wetland, a Ramsar site in 2006 provided some protection to the Shoebill. Bird watching on the wetland brought about enlightenment to the fishermen and community. The fishermen rent out their boats to birdwatchers to make money, and some fishermen have been trained in birding and guiding. The fishermen now protect the Shoebill, so that when they set out to fish and see a Shoebill, they do not move too close not to disturb it and will gladly inform the tourists of where to see it. There is about 12 Shoebills said to be resident in Mabamba wetland.
Best time to see the Shoebill.
The period to visit Mabamba Swamp for bird watching is during the dry season (from December to February and June to August), when water levels are lower and bird activity is typically higher. The best time to see the Shoebill in Mabamba swamp is early morning that is 7am, before the rise of activity on the wetland. The Shoebill at this time is normally hunting for lunch fish which it does by standing in one place for a long time or even hours looking out in the water waiting for fish to cross its path so it scoops it with the big strong shoe-like bill that breaks the fish in an instant. Later in the day when it gets hot the Shoebill rests which it does by spreading out its wings & squatting amidst the grass and thus may be hard to find. It may also be seen flying high in the sky to cool.
Birding on Mabamba wetland is done from a motorized wooden canoe/boat. The fishermen who go out early in the morning to find what they caught in their nets which they cast the evening before sometimes help in providing information where they saw the Shoebill and where the Shoebill loves to hunt.
After observing the Shoebill continue with normal birding, exploring the several water channels towards the Lake Victoria and away deep into the wetland wading through thick papyrus and grasses.
Some of water birds not easily missed include: Purple Swamphen, African Marsh Harrier, African Darter, Common Squacco Heron, Purple Heron, Long-tailed Cormorant, Northern Brown-throated Weaver, Yellow-billed Duck, Malachite Kingfisher
Wildlife and Habitats
More than its avian residents, Mabamba Swamp supports a variety of other wildlife species. Mammals such as otters and sitatungas can occasionally be spotted along the swamp’s edges. Reptiles such as monitor lizards and amphibians also find refuge among the papyrus reeds and shallow waters. The swamp is also home to more than 200 varieties of butterflies.
The swamp’s vegetation, dominated by papyrus (Cyperus papyrus), plays a crucial role in maintaining its ecological balance. Papyrus reeds provide nesting sites for birds, shelter for small mammals, and reproduction grounds for fish and other aquatic organisms. The dense papyrus also acts as natural filters, helping to improve water quality and regulate water flow within the swamp ecosystem.
Conservation Efforts
Conservation efforts and sustainable tourism practices are essential to safeguarding the future of Mabamba Swamp and its inhabitants. By supporting eco-tourism initiatives, promoting community involvement, and raising awareness about wetland conservation, we can ensure that future generations will continue to enjoy and benefit from the wonders of Mabamba Swamp.
