Shoebill Stork Viewing Spots in Uganda
Shoebill stork viewing spots in uganda : The shoebill bird is among Uganda’s most sought for when it comes to birding. It is regarded to as a rare species and is only sighted in few places around the country, In Uganda, it can be spotted around swampy areas mostly because it feeds most on fish. There are a number of storks in Uganda and can be found in various parts of the country, they include; Yellow billed stork, Shoe bill stork, Marabou stork, Saddel Billed stork, open billed stork.
Uganda is blessed with a number of bird species, these can be found in game parks, game reserves, even around homes. The shoebill stork is commonly found in the following places; Mabamba swamp, makanaga swamp,Lugogo swamp Nakasongola, Lwera swamp,semuliki national parks.Lake Albert Delta at Murchison falls, Ishasha sector at Queen Elizabeth national park, Lake Mburo national Park and The Uganda Wildlife Education Centre-Entebbe zoo.
Lugogo Swamp Nakasongola
Lugogo Swamp Nakasongola is a favourites spot for viewing the Shoebill stork,with Ziwa Rhino sanctuary is a way through to the swamp area. There are more than 300 species of birds that can be sighted,
Canoe boats are used to sail through the swamp, these are hired to the tourists by natives who earn money out of it. The best time for sighting the shoebill bird is early morning ( between 6-8 am), though the ride on the swamp is approximately 4 hours where you will be in position to sight even other birds. The is also a beautiful scenery around the swamp.
On your way to Lugogo swamp nakasongola, Ziwa rhino sanctuary could be added to your planned safari.
Mabamba Swamp
Mabamba swamp can be accessed from Kampala or Entebbe. It has routes via Nakiwogo landing site, a ferry is used to cross over which takes maximum of 20 minutes to kasanje landing site. From Kasanje landing site, it is 20-25 minutes’ drive to mabamba swamp.
For nature lovers, Mabamba swamp is another high profile swamp where the prolific shoebill stork can be sighted. Located west of Entebbe on the Northern shore of one of the biggest lake in Africa, Lake Victoria. It is mostly covered up with thick wetland of papyrus, water lilies and thick wetland grasses. Mabamba swamp is an Important Bird Area (IBA).
Mamba swamp is blessed with lung fish which is also food to the shoebill stork. A motorized boat is used by birders on the swamp, it is hired from the fishermen who make a living out of it. Mabamba is the best easily accessible that all and has the best chances of viewing the shoebill stock. The fishermen also say that when they sight a shoebill as they fish, they believe it brings bad luck or not even catch any fish in the day. The best time to sight on the shoebill bird at Mabamba is 7am.
Makanaga swamp
It is located in Western Uganda, it is also one of the most visited site by birders. The site can be accessed via Kampala-Masaka road,it takes over 1 hour and 30 minutes. Makanaga is a home to a number of bird species which include; Yellow-billed Egret, Long-tailed Cormorant, Saddle-billed Stork, Greater Cormorant, Common Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Swamp Flycatcher, Long-toed Lapwing, Common Ringed Plover, Malachite Kingfisher, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Yellow-billed Duck, White-winged Tern, Yellow Wagtail, African Marsh Harrier, Winding Cisticola, Northern Brown-throated Weaver, Black-headed Heron, Speckled Mousebird, Hottentot Teal, African Open-billed Stork, Barn Swallow, Fulvous-whistling Duck, Purple Heron, Red-chested Sunbird, Common Squacco Heron, African Jacana, African Fish Eagle, Common Bulbul, Black Crake, Vieillot’s Black weaver and many more.
A number of equipments are carried when visiting the swamp area, they include; pair of binoculars, a camera, a back pack, birds guidebooks, rain jacket, hats, a hat, drinking water, sweater or jumper and many more.
There are other sites where the shoebill stork is sighted in Uganda, forexample, the albert delta region in murchison falls is a good spot to see the shoebill, it can be sighted in the morning hours of the da. Lake Mburo is a good birding spot with high chances of sighting the shoebil storck. The Ishasha end at Queen elizabeth national park.
The shoebill stork is the most sought for bird in Uganda birding safaris.
