MABAMBA WETLAND

Situated in Kasanje village and about 40km from Entebbe town, the Mabamba wetland and swamp is a true definition of Uganda’s natural beauty. The name Mabamba is in Luganda meaning lung fish swamp. Mabamba is famously known as a popular hot spot for birding activities and one of the finest spots that are very endowed with a variety of different bird species hence one of the top tourist attractions for bird watching in Entebbe town and the whole country at large.

Visiting Mabamba swamp will enable visitors to encounter several different bird species including rare, endemic and migratory bird species without going to the national parks in remote areas. Aside from the stunning bird species sheltered in Mabamba wetland, Sitatunga antelopes can also be encountered in the vast swamp hence it has become a sanctuary for these particular mammal species. 

The enormous wetland is one of the many swamps of the mighty Lake Victoria and was declared a Ramsar site and wetland of International importance in 2006. 

WHAT TO SEE AT MABAMBA WETLAND?

Mabamba Wetland and Swamp is one of the few destinations where birders can spot the rare shoe bill  throughout the day. With over 250 bird species recorded in the area, the vast swamp also shelters four threatened bird species.

Some of the bird species that can be seen at Mabamba may include Breasted bee-eater, brown-snaked eagle, blue swallow, brown parrot, black-crowned night heron, African common moorhen, African purple swamp hen and more. 

WHAT TO DO WHILE AT MABAMBA?

Bird watching

Bird watching is the popular and main tourism activity at Mabamba Wetland. The vast swamp attracts over 250 different bird species and the rare Shoebill storks dominates as the key attraction.

It is one of the few destinations where the rare shoe bill stork can be sighted throughout the whole day hence attracting a large number of visitors especially passionate birders from across the world. 

Birding tours in Mabamba take about 4 hours and one can also watch the stunning birds throughout the day depending on their preference. Mabamba wetland is also home to four threatened bird species Pallid harrier, Blue swallow, Papyrus Ganolek and White-winged warbler. Other bird species that find a home in Mabamba may include yellow-backed weaver, yellow warble, yellow-rumped tinker bird, striped kingfisher, Spur-winged Geese, Sand Martin, shining blue king fisher, red-eyed dove, red-billed fire finch, little egret, Grey-headed kingfisher, Flycatcher, Grey-headed sparrow, Grey parrot, Goliath herons, blue-headed coucal, to mention but a few. 

Spot fishing

Fishing was initially the most popular activity in and around Mabamba wetland to date, fishermen can be seen around this area. Some of the fish species that find a home in Mabamba may include tilapia, silverfish, Nile perch, lungfish and mudfish. Local fishing methods such as the use of hooks and rods are very common in the Mabamba area and several fish species can be sighted using those particular methods.

Community walks

Community walks in the neighbourhood of Mabamba offer visitors a great opportunity to interact with the locals in the area while learning about their way of living, background history, culture and customs. Locals around the area are engaged in several economic activities like fishing, farming and other small projects that are being supported and uplifted for the better by visitors.

One of the ways how visitors have boosted small projects of the locals is through buying their products and some of them may include mats, bags and baskets that are made locally from swamps. Visitors can also visit Entebbe town which is just about 40 kilometres away. Entebbe townhomes Uganda’s national airport, Entebbe Airport.

Butterfly watching

Aside from the popular bird watching as the main tourism activity at Mabamba, butterfly watching is yet another popular trilling tourism activity enjoyed by many in this area. Watching stunning butterflies of different species roam in the air is breathtaking and one of the moments one shouldn’t miss out on while at Mabamba.

Mabamba Swamp and wetlands attract over 200 different butterfly species and some of these may include Acraea aganice, and Achaea aurivill, to mention but a few. 

BEST TIME TO VISIT MABAMBA

Even though the vast swamp is an all-year tourism destination, the best time for birding in Mabamba is during the wet season of September and March as this is the period that attracts migratory birds from Europe. Much of the nesting and breeding of several bird species also take during the wet season.