10 Places To See Shoebill Stork In Uganda With Private Birding Experts

Places To See Shoebill Stork In Uganda

The 10 Best Places To See Shoebill Storks in Uganda With Private Birding Experts. Book Affordable Luxury African tailor-made tour Itineraries to Spot Shoebill Stork In Uganda.

Uganda is a place of residence for numerous bird species in Africa and the entire world. Although wildlife, Gorillas, chimpanzees, culture, and Mountains are Uganda’s top selling points, birding is an additional essential activity in Uganda that can be tailor-made with additional activities. The shoebill stork makes Uganda more stunning for birders traveling across Africa. The multiplicity in terms of Swamps, Forests, marshes, grasslands, water bodies shores is a natural environment for more than 250 bird species in Uganda.

The shoebill is considered a scarce species and can be seen in over and beyond 10 places in Uganda, how beautiful is the shoebill? During the shoebill Affordable tailormade safari, you have very much (99%) luck of seeing the bird in Uganda. In Uganda, there are numerous species of storks. Namely, Yellow-billed stork, Shoebill stork, Marabou stork, Saddle Billed Stork, open billed stork. All the above species of stocks can be seen in Uganda during the birding safari. Shoebill stock can be spotted in the best Ugandan spots below.

1. Mabamba Swamp

In Uganda, the Mabamba wetland is a leading destination for seeing shoebill storks. Mabamba Wetland is located roughly 12 km west on Lake Victoria’s northern shore in Entebbe City. This extensive swamp occupies over 2,424 hectares. The landscape of the swamp is described by thick papyrus stands and sparkling water lilies hence making a favourable natural environment for numerous wildlife species.

Nominated as a Ramsar site in 2006, Mabamba Swamp is acknowledged globally for its vital role in preserving ecological diversity and assisting endangered ecosystems. Mabamba Wetland is a sanctuary for more than 300 species of birds with the legendary shoebill stork as its main attraction.

The local communities and swamp inhabitants’ relationship mainly the shoebill stork has gone through an extraordinary transformation. Once hunted by nearby residents, the shoebill is now a cornerstone of local eco-tourism initiatives.

This movement in the point of view has resulted in the evolution of preservation-focused schemes inclusive of tour services and inhabiting conservation endeavors. These initiatives not only bring in money for local communities but also play a major role in conserving the natural habitat of the shoebill hence putting in place a victorious equilibrium between economic development and ecological preservation.

How to Access Mabamba Swamp:

By Boat from Entebbe: This is the most eye-catching direction from Nakiwogo Landing Site in Entebbe, with a 45-minute to 1-hour motorized canoe ride offering great views of Lake Victoria and golden opportunities to watch birds on the way.

By Car: The transfer from Entebbe through the Kawuku-Nakawuka road takes roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes based on weather conditions largely during the wet season.

Jimjam Safaris offers guided shoebill tracking and searching trips to Mabamba Swamp with local experience in birding. We do offer early morning and evening tours to Mabamba which are the times of the day to see the shoebill storks because during this time, the shoebills are very active hunting for their prey.

Ask our destination experts to assist you tailor make for you a shoebill tracking tour for the Uganda safari extension.

2. Murchison Falls National Park

The prime time for exploring the Albert Delta is in the course of the dry season between January and March and June to September when weather conditions are the best for shoebill sightings. During the dry season, the weather conditions are calm and water levels are low which favours the taking of clear shots. A launch cruise to the Nile Delta is the most impressive way of tracking these rare shoebills with early morning or late afternoon cruises offering the best opportunities.

As you drift through the soothing waters, you will not only have a golden opportunity to see the evasive shoebill stork but also experience elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and other captivating species that flourish in this abundant ecosystem.

Guided tours accompanied by local specialists are highly recommendable because these local guides are well conversant with the best places for sighting the shoebill. Tours like Jimjam safaris provide packages that do not only include boat trips but also game drives in the national park.

3. Lugogo Swamp Nakasongola (Zziwa rhino sanctuary)

The Lugogo Swamp can be entered via Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Lugogo wetland is among the places in Uganda where clients are guaranteed to spot the shoebill stork in Uganda. The swamp is home to over 300 bird species and hence a lot for you to observe all this beauty. Clients will take a relaxed canoe ride on the swamp as early as 7:00 am with the company of local guides to begin the shoebill trip on the swamp. This activity takes approximately 4 hours or less since you will be riding on the swamp, seeing plenty of birds and other nature-friendly creatures.

The Lugogo swamp shoebill trip can be an add-on to your Murchison and Rhino tracking at Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary safari. It is essential to bring a pair of binoculars and a camera to capture your great encounter or even inform us on time so that we hire you binoculars to boost your view

4. Makanaga Swamp bay

Makanaga Swamp Bay is considered to be among the best spots for Shoebill stork in Uganda. The swamp is situated along Lake Victoria and can be approached from Kampala or Entebbe using a canoe boat to the swamp. The swamp offers you a wonderful view of the shoebill stork and other bird species when you visit the place. The trip to Makanaga begins early in the morning with a canoe boat ride being led by local guides on board taking you through the historical background of the area and also seeing several birds and other aquatic life on the swamp.

The swamp is unlocked for bordering enthusiasts and the general public all year as it has lots to offer. JimJam Safaris arranges birding trips around Uganda and please check out the different packages on our website. We can also tailor for you a trip to Makanaga with your gorilla safari. Do not hesitate to reach out to us for a shoebill trip and you will get a timely response.

5. Nabajuzi wetland

There is a golden opportunity to sport the shoebill and other bird species at Nabajuzi wetland in Masaka. The wetland can be accessed throughout the year the dry season is the best time to visit the wetland because, during the wet season, the place tends to flood. During the rainy season, birds could be rare hence the prime time for searching the shoebill is during the dry season.

6. Ishasha Sector- Queen Elizabeth National Park

The shoebill stork in Uganda can be spotted in Queen Elizabeth National Park around the swamp along the shores of Lake Edward in the Ishasha Sector. The shoebill tour can be added on safari to the tree-climbing lions in Ishasha Sector. JimJam Safaris will tailor you a trip to Ishasha for both game viewing and a shoebill tour. Ishasha sector is situated in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National in western Uganda. This is among the biggest savannah national parks in Uganda for game drives, boat cruises, cultural experiences, and the shoebill experience.

7. Uganda Wildlife Education Center-Entebbe (ZOO)  

In Uganda, the Uganda Wildlife Education Center is among the best locations where birders are guaranteed to spot the shoebill stork. The shoebill can be spotted all year round and at any time of the day. The Uganda Wildlife Education Center is situated in Entebbe and it extends to Lake Victoria and offers a golden opportunity to see almost all the wildlife provided you have only come for a conference or work-related appointments.

The Zoo is very near the Entebbe International Airport and it is a 10-minute’ drive this grants you the possibility of visiting and then continuing to the Airport for your flight back home or continuing to visit spectacular Uganda. You can choose to have lunch at the Zoo and additionally, we can organize for you lunch at the beach next to the zoo. JimJam Safaris organizes one trip to the Entebbe Zoo to spot the shoebill and this gives you a 100% likelihood of seeing the Shoebill stork in Uganda.

8. Lake Mburo National Park

Shoebill storks In Uganda can also be sighted along the shores of Lake Mburo while on a launch cruise along the lake. The local guides will be in a position to assist you point out the birds along the shores and if you are lucky, you may even see the shoebill stork. Lake Mburo National Park is also a heart for those with an interest in birding as well as wildlife.

9. Semuliki National Park

Semuliki National Park is among the most famous bird-watching sites and is considered a bird’s haven in Uganda. Semliki has over 400 bird species and is home to 66% of the forest birds in the country. The park gives you a golden opportunity to see different bird species on your visit. The park is situated in Southwestern Uganda shared by Bundibugyo and Notoroko districts. The park can be reached from the Fort Portal center point and you will have an opportunity to visit more parks like Kibale Forest National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park Mountain Rwenzori National Park, and also the Rwenzori escarpments.

The host springs in Semuliki National Park are among the key highlights that you should never miss. River Semuliki meanders and has oxbow lakes and beyond doubt the beautiful birds. The shoebill stork is the major highlight for a birding trip and almost all visitors have not failed to see it in Semliki as the environment is not corrupted. The chances of seeing the shoebill are many though it all depends on your luck that day.

Our knowledgeable and professional birding driver guides will ensure that you have a very enjoyable shoebill and also give you sufficient information on the storks and other bird species. The park also has approximately 5 indigenous Albertine species and some of them are the black Dwarf Hornbill, the red-billed dwarf hornbill, Swamp Palm Bulbul, the white-crested hornbills, blue and Ross’s Turacos, the Blue-billed Malimbe, Great Black-casqued Wattled Hornbill, the Piping Hornbill. Other birds include; the White-throated Blue Swallow, the African Piculet, Leaf-love, Afep Pigeon, White-tailed Robin-Chat, Red-thighed Sparrow hawk, Bates’s Nightjar, Sabine’s Spinetail, Yellow-throated Nicator, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Double-toothed Barbet, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Black Saw-wing, the Crested Malimbe, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, the Red-bellied Malimbe, the Lemon-bellied Crombec, the Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Spotted Greenbul, Fire-crested Alethe, Mountain Greenbul, Orange-cheeked Waxbill, and Chestnut-breasted Negro finch. Other birds will be seen during game drives and nature walks in the park. Please feel free to send us an inquiry about shoebill stork trips to Uganda.

10. Lwera Swamp and Kyabakuza Swamp

Shoebill stork in Uganda can also infrequently be seen in these wetlands. Lwera and Kyabakuza are situated along the way to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Rwenzori National Park, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.  Along the way, the driver guide can always make a stopover around the wetland to make an effort to see the shoebill stork and if you are fortunate enough, you will fail to see it. When we tailor your itinerary, we shall ensure that you encounter every single thing.

Final Thoughts

All the above-mentioned present the best chances for one to spot a shoebill on an African safari in Uganda. As long as you are organizing a wildlife and birding safari, spotting the shoebill would be an added advantage since these parks will offer you the best chances.

For staunch birders who are interested in dedicating shoebill birding experience, Mabamba Swamp is the outstanding overall spot. Since Mabamba is close to Kampala and easily accessible, it is effortless to visit on the first day or the last day of the safari in Uganda.