3-Day Murchison Falls Luxury Safari
Kampala › Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary › Murchison Falls › Kampala
View itinerary# LTM-UG-SB1|1 day
Mabamba Swamp Shoebill Canoe Trip
Starts & endsEntebbeRouteEntebbe › Mabamba Bay wetlandA private trip: it starts on any day you choose, and every quote is all-inclusive.
A private safari, 1 day
Mabamba Bay is a papyrus wetland on the shore of Lake Victoria west of Entebbe, and one of the most reliable places in Uganda to see the shoebill. This private day trip takes you there early, when the birds are most active, for two to three hours in a canoe with a local guide who knows the channels.
It fits neatly before an evening flight or after arrival, and the wetland is also rich in other water birds, from African jacanas to pygmy geese.
Highlights
- Searching for the shoebill in the papyrus channels
- A local canoe guide from the Mabamba community
- Early morning light on Lake Victoria
- Water birds such as jacanas, kingfishers and pygmy geese
- Back in Entebbe by early afternoon
Day by day
- Entebbe
- Mabamba Bay wetland
- Entebbe
Day 1Entebbe › Mabamba › Entebbe
Mabamba Bay by canoe
Your guide collects you from your Entebbe hotel early in the morning for the drive to Mabamba. You spend two to three hours in a canoe in the swamp channels looking for the shoebill and other birds, then return to Entebbe for lunch.
Lodges are confirmed in writing when you book, and timings are adjusted to your dates and pace.
Where you stay
A day trip, so no lodge is included. We can book a night in Entebbe before or after.
The Mavens difference
Private vehicle and guide
A 4x4 with a pop-up roof and an English-speaking driver-guide, for you alone.
Luxury lodges
Every night at a lodge chosen for its position and its standards.
Fees and permits included
Park entry, permits and the activities in the itinerary are in the price.
Flexible by design
Lengthen, upgrade or combine the trip before you pay.
Included
- Private vehicle and driver-guide
- Canoe and local guide at Mabamba
- Community wetland fees
- Packed breakfast and bottled water
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Entebbe
Not included
- Lunch
- Tips
- Travel insurance
Good to know
Fitness
Easy. You sit in a canoe for two to three hours.
Best time
Early morning, any month.
What to bring
Hat, sun cream, binoculars, and a dry bag for cameras.
Combine with
Arrival or departure days in Entebbe.
Dates & availability
This is a private trip, so it starts on any day you choose. Choose a month to carry it into the quote request.
What every quote includes
- Private vehicle and driver-guide
- Canoe and local guide at Mabamba
- Community wetland fees
- Packed breakfast and bottled water
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Entebbe
Quotes depend on your dates, the size of your group and the lodges you choose. Green-season months are often better value, and Christmas and New Year can carry lodge supplements.
Reviews from this trip
Verified reviews appear here once guests are home.
Questions travellers ask
How likely is a shoebill sighting?
Mabamba is one of the best places in Uganda to see the shoebill, and most visits find one, but it is never guaranteed.
What should we bring?
A hat, sun cream, binoculars and a light rain jacket. The canoes are small, so keep bags to a minimum.
Can children join?
Yes, with an adult. Canoes are small, so we'll check life jackets and seating for younger children.
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Something made for you
Any trip can be lengthened, upgraded or combined across both countries. Send your dates and the number of travellers, and you'll get a costed plan within a day.