Mabamba Bay Wetland
A Ramsar wetland where you paddle a canoe through papyrus channels to search for the prehistoric-looking shoebill stork. A must-visit for birdwatchers.
Mabamba Bay Wetland lies on the western shore of Lake Victoria, west of Entebbe. It is a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance and is famous for high sightings of the shoebill stork. Around 300 bird species can also be seen here, including the African jacana, the long-toed lapwing, and kingfishers. Visitors board a local wooden boat or dugout canoe at Mabamba Landing and enter the papyrus channels. Your guide will search for the shoebill's location. The trip takes about 2–3 hours, and the morning is the best time. You can drive from Kampala via Entebbe (about 1.5 hours), or take a boat across the bay from Entebbe. Boat fares and community fees are roughly US$30–60 per person. Bring sunscreen, a raincoat, and binoculars.
Opening hours
Early morning to afternoon; mornings are best for birdwatching
Nearby sights
- Kigungu Landing Site (Catholic Missionaries' Landing)
- Lido Beach
- Uganda Reptiles Village
- Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre
- National Botanical Gardens (Entebbe)
- Zika Forest
- Lutembe Bay