A
Excellent guid
Excellent service provided by the staff and it was amazing to see all of the birds not just the shoebills although we were very lucky and able to see both mother and baby. Very personable guides.
Half day shoe bill tracking at Mabamba Swamps
At a glance
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Price from
- $140 / person
- Location
- Kampala, Uganda
- Rating
- 5.0 / 5 · 17 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 10
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Hotel pickup
- Available
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Airpals Safaris Tour
Description
Pick up from your hotel in Kampala Or Entebbe at agreed time and drive straight to Nakiwogo landing site in Entebbe. and take a one hour boat ride to Mabamba swamps which is located on the western shores of Lake Victoria. - Arrive at Mabamba Swamps you will enter the canoe which will slowly navigate for one hour through the narrow channels and papyrus-lined paths of the swamp, searching for shoe bill, The guide will assist in identifying the shoebill stork. Shoebill Observation: When a shoebill is spotted, the canoe will approach carefully to minimize disturbance. This is a rare opportunity to observe this iconic bird in its natural habitat, get nice pictures, and Along the way, keep an eye out for other bird species like malachite kingfishers, African fish eagles, herons, and a variety of water fowls. After a successful birdwatching session, the boat will begin its return journey for one hour to Nakiwogo. and then drive back to your hotel. that will mark the end of the tour.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 2:00 PM
- Next available
- Tue, Oct 13
- Adult (ages 18–50)
- $140
- Senior (ages 51+)
- $140
- Youth (ages 5–17)
- $140
- Child (ages 3–4)
- $140
- Infant (ages 1–2)
- Free
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 12.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Mabamba Swamp Shoebill Bird Watching
Pick up from your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala at agreed time and drive straight to Nakiwogo landing site in Entebbe, and take a one hour boat ride to Mabamba swamps which is located on the western shores of Lake Victoria. - Arrive at Mabamba Swamps you will enter the canoe which will slowly navigate for one hour through the narrow channels and papyrus-lined paths of the swamp, searching for shoe bill, The guide will assist in identifying the shoebill stork. Shoebill Observation: When a shoebill is spotted, the canoe will approach carefully to minimize disturbance. This is a rare opportunity to observe this iconic bird in its natural habitat, get nice pictures, and Along the way, keep an eye out for other bird species like malachite kingfishers, After a successful birdwatching session, the boat will begin its return journey for one hour to Nakiwogo. and then drive back to your hotel. that will mark the end of the tour. *Please note those from Kampala will drive straight to Mabamba.
What's included
Included
Entrance fees
Pickup Locations & Times
We do pick and drop off from any Hotels within Kampala and Entebbe
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
17 reviews
How it compares in Kampala
- Starting price $140 is 18% above the typical $119 for tours of similar length in Kampala
Excurgo comparison of 763 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half day shoe bill tracking at Mabamba Swamps take?
Half day shoe bill tracking at Mabamba Swamps lasts about 5 hours. The itinerary has 1 stop.
How much does Half day shoe bill tracking at Mabamba Swamps cost?
Prices start at $140 per person for this Kampala experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Half day shoe bill tracking at Mabamba Swamps run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 2:00 PM.
How much does Half day shoe bill tracking at Mabamba Swamps cost for children?
Children aged 3–4 pay from $140, adults from $140. Infants go free.
Can I cancel Half day shoe bill tracking at Mabamba Swamps for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. We do pick and drop off from any Hotels within Kampala and Entebbe Pickup points include Hotel Golden Tulip Canaan Kampala.
What languages is Half day shoe bill tracking at Mabamba Swamps offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 10 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Half day shoe bill tracking at Mabamba Swamps worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 17 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Airpals Safaris Tour.
Reviews(17)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
W
Great Shoebill Experience
Great experience. We quickly found a Shoebill early on in our boat trip - and were able to spend 20 minutes alone just observing and taking some amazing photos. Our guide Steve was very knowledgeable, and was happy to share his knowledge of Uganda while we travelled to and from the swamp
A
Fantastic Shoebill & Kampala Experience with Steve!
Amazing experience with Airpals Safaris Tour! We did both the Shoebill Tour and the Kampala walking tour with Steve as our guide, and it was fantastic from start to finish. Steve is knowledgeable, friendly, and really made sure we had a great time — from spotting the shoebill stork up close to exploring Kampala's streets and hidden gems. He was also super helpful and responsive even after the tour when I had questions. Highly recommend this tour for anyone visiting Uganda who wants an authentic, well-organized experience!
F
Searching for the magical Shoebill
Highly recommended for nature lovers.
A
A magical Mabamba swamp
An amazing experience for nature lovers and bird enthusiasts.
N
Unforgettable Shoebill Adventure
A peaceful and exciting bird experience with amazing guides and beautiful nature views.
S
Nature at it’s best
Peaceful boat ride and an amazing chance to see the rare shoebill in the wild.highly enjoyable experience
O
Yes! You Want To Do This!!!
We did the Shoebill tracking tour with Steve and had an amazing day! He is knowledgeable and extremely funny and personable. We were lucky and saw a Shoebill but even if we hadn’t, we would have enjoyed it just as much!
S
Beautiful area amazing birds
The swamp was fresh and teeming with life. Guide knew all the birds, found the shoe bill, and even otters.
H
Steve made the trip. ...
Steve made the trip. Knowledgeable, punctual, well prepared and infectiously cheerful, he gave us a brilliant time and by the end of the trip he had become a good mate! We found a magnificent shoebill, as well as viewing other wonderful birds. It was a wonderful way to spend the morning away, gliding through the marshes of Lake Victoria away from the madness of the boda bodas of Kampala! Top trip, top guide.
Compare similar tours in Kampala
- Lowest price: Shoebill Stork and Birdwatching Tour at Mabamba swamp — $122
- Best rated: 5-Day Big 5 Safari to Murchison and Chimpanzee Tracking — 4.9 (56 reviews)
- Shortest: One Day Birding Mabamba Swamp — 4 hours
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Half day shoe bill tracking at Mabamba Swamps | 5 hours | 5.0 (17) | $140 | |
 3-Day Uganda Gorilla trekking and Shoe Bill tracking | 3 days | — | $1,849 | View |
 1 Day trip to Mabamba Swamp Shoebill bird tracking | 6–10 hours | — | $670 | View |
 One Day Birding Mabamba Swamp | 4 hours | — | $130 | View |
 1 Day Mabamba swamp bird watching trip | 1 day | 5.0 (1) | $260 | View |
 Shoebill Stork and Birdwatching Tour at Mabamba swamp | 6h 45min | 4.9 (29) | $122 | View |
 5-Day Big 5 Safari to Murchison and Chimpanzee Tracking | 5 days | 4.9 (56) | $2,040 | View |
from$140
5.0(17) Free cancellation