Tours & experiences

Mabamba Shoebill Private Tour with Homemade Cake

About this experience

Mabamba swamp tour offers a unique chance to track the legendary shoebill stork in its natural habitat. Choose your favourite departure either Kampala, Entebbe or directly head to the meeting point. Glide silently through vast swamps on a local canoe in silence, spotting countless other birds and wildlife.

More than 300 bird species grace the area, such as the papyrus gonolek, herons, ibis, kingfishers, sunbirds, and weaver birds. Guided by licensed local experts, tourists travel on boat rides through the swamp, gain profound insights into the bird inhabitants and the ecosystem that surrounds them. A chance to approach the birds in their wild untouched habitat with cameras, creating amazing opportunities for photography.

In just a few hours, you can create an amazing Ugandan experience with this genuine, low-impact excursion that is a birder's paradise and a tranquil getaway into a pristine wetland ecosystem.

At a glance

  • Duration: 3 hr–5 hr
  • Private experience

Choose your tour option

Select a date and travellers to compare current prices and departure times.

Private Boat Only
Private tour
Duration: 3 hours: This includes an official English speaking guide from the national park, river boat plus all permit.
Drinking water
River boat: customer need to go our meeting point only.
Kampala pickup + Private Boat
Private tour
Duration: 5 hours: This includes an official English speaking guide from the national park, river boat plus all permit.
Drinking water
Car + River boat: Transfer with car from Kampala take more than 1 hour subject to the traffic and road condition.
Emtebbe pickup + Private Boat
Private tour
Duration: 5 hours: This includes an official English speaking guide from the national park, river boat plus all permit.
Drinking water
Car + River boat: Transfer with car from Emtebbe take more than 25 minute subject to the traffic and road condition.
Pickup included

Plan your experience

Time on the tour3 hr–5 hr
Getting therePickup offeredSee pickup details
Guide languagesEnglish (live guide)
Tour arrangementPrivate experience

Set aside 3 hr–5 hr for the experience itself, with additional time to reach your meeting or pickup point.

Compare the available options before choosing: their itinerary, inclusions and pickup arrangements can differ. Check the price for your date and whole group.

Before you go

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

What is included

  • Bottled drinking water
  • Life jackets
  • Boat transfer to Mabamba Swamp round trip
  • Docking and landing fee
  • Shoebill tracking experience
  • Hotel pick up and dropoff (if selected only)
  • Entry fee to Mabamba swamp

Not included

  • Personal expense
  • Meals

Itinerary and highlights

Begin your journey with a pickup from your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala at the scheduled time, those without a pick-up reservation must proceed to the meeting point as specified in the reservation. Head directly to the Nakiwogo landing site in Entebbe, embark on a boat ride to the Mabamba swamps national park in private, situated on the western shores of Lake Victoria.

Start the motorized canoe with a local guide, spend 2-3 hours navigating through the narrow canals while search out a variety of rare and exclusive local bird species. Next, head to the main starting point and switch to a smaller boat to seek out the shoebill stork. An official guide from the national park will on board and assist on spotting the shoebill stork, allowing for some great photo opportunities. Along the way, learn about the local nature insights and be sure keep an eyes for other bird species.

Upon ending a birdwatching adventure, the boat will return back to the original departure point, where it will either drop you off at your hotel or return at the first meeting point for those without transfer reservations.

Meeting and pickup information

  • The meeting will be to at the* Nakiwogo Ferry, Entebbe,* beside the river boat. pls take note need to come accordingly to the time before on board the boat to swamp, Your guide is familiar with your name and personal details, so no worries. If there are any changes, we will be sure to let you know.
  • The pick up will be at your hotel directly, pls ensure to provide exact hotel name accordingly. Your driver will be arriving to pick you up based on the name and nationality provided in the reservation. Do take note this pick up in the town of city of Kampala or Entebbe in a vehicle. Your guide/driver is familiar with your name and personal details, so no worries. If there are any changes, we will be sure to let you know!

Languages and tickets

  • English — Guide
  • Mobile Only

Tour operator

  • Wadi Rum Fire Camp

Accessibility and practical details

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Questions about this experience

How long is this experience?
The supplier lists a duration of 3 hr–5 hr. Check your chosen tour option for its specific itinerary.
What are the pickup arrangements?
The pick up will be at your hotel directly, pls ensure to provide exact hotel name accordingly. Your driver will be arriving to pick you up based on the name and nationality provided in the reservation. Do take note this pick up in the town of city of Kampala or Entebbe in a vehicle. Your guide/driver is familiar with your name and personal details, so no worries. If there are any changes, we will be sure to let you know!
Which guide languages are listed?
English (live guide).
What ticket format is listed?
Mobile ticket.
What ticket age bands are listed?
Adult tickets: age 0+. Check the practical details for participation requirements.
What is the cancellation policy?
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Traveller reviews and photos

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More context for a careful visit.

Regional guides and reading about habitat, preparation and the people behind conservation.