2 DAYS BIRDING IN ENTEBBE

2 Days birding in Entebbe

This birding will be done in Entebbe and Mabamba swamp in Uganda. This birding safari will first take you to Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre. UWEC is popularly known as Entebbe Zoo, is a conservation center where all animals found in Uganda can be spotted. The center is a host to free ranging and caged animals, birds, several tree species as well as shrubs. The birding safari will also take you to Mabamba swamp for the rear shoebill tracking. The wetland is one of the vast swamps found on Lake Victoria. It is renowned for its unique bird collections with over 260 bird species including the swamp dwelling Sitatunga antelope. The swamp also acts a spawning ground for the lung fish locally known as “Emamba” by the locals. The Mamba (lung fish) is the delicacy for the enormous shoebill stork hence the name gorgeous Mabamba.

Travel schedule

Day 1: Birding in Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre

Day 2: Birding in Mabamba swamp

Detailed itinerary

Day 1: Birding in Entebbe Wildlife Conservation Education Centre

After having your morning breakfast, you will be picked by your driver and later head to Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre. This place hosts different caged mammal species like cats, reptiles, herbivores etc as well as over 170 species of birds. Some of the bird species to watch out here include; Ostrich, peacock, parrots, shoebill, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Hamerkop, Hadada Ibis, African Fish Eagle, Palm-nut Vulture, Hooded Vulture, African Harrier Hawk, Helmeted Guinea fowl, Grey-crowned Crane, Water Thick-knee, Spur-winged Plover, Wooded Sandpiper, Red-eyed Dove, Grey Parrot, Red-chested Cuckoo, White-browed Coucal, Spotted Eagle-Owl, Speckled Mousebird, Pied Kingfisher, Pygmy Kingfisher, Crowned Hornbill, Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird, Double-toothed Barbet, Dark-capped Bulbul, Yellow-throated Greenbul, Snowy-headed Robin chat, African Thrush, Grey-capped Warbler, Red-faced Cisticola, Northern Black Flycatcher, Green-headed Sunbird, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Red-chested Sunbird, Black-headed Gonolek, Fort-tailed Drongo, Black-headed Weaver, Black-necked Weaver, Red-billed Firefinch, Bronze Mannikin, etc. Later, head back to the lodge for lunch and evening visit Entebbe malls or craft shops.

Day 2: Birding in Mabamba Swamp

After an early breakfast, you will be transferred to Mabamba swamp, 50kms west of Kampala. This swamp is so far one of the best spots to see the gigantic rare shoebill stork in Uganda since its a home to over 1000 shoebill storks making Uganda to the country with highest population of these birds. This swamp is one of the best places to spot the exceptional shoebill but also many other species can be found here, like the Allen’s and purple gallinule, Grey herons, Jacanas, Ruffaus bellied heron, Squaco heron, Purple and goliath heron, Pallid harrier and Blue swallow, little egrets, African pied kingfishers, Malachite kingfisher, hamerkops, Hadada ibis ducks etc. The best way to enjoy the rich bird life is by canoe and you might even have the luck to encounter the elusive sitatunga Antelope, adapted to swampy habitants. Later drive back to the Hotel/Lodge of residence or catch up with your flight.

End of birding tour

Includes

• Transport to and from
• Boat fees
• Bottled drinking water
• Entrance fees
• Services of an English-speaking bird guide

Excludes

• International flights
• Visas
• Meals
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses: alcohol, laundry services and souvenirs
• Tips