1 Day Mabamba Swamp Tour
Discover the important bird area of Mabamba Swamp, famous for the rare Shoebill and many other bird species. Experience guided birding by boat with local community experts.
Duration
1 Day
Starting At
USD $265 per person
Overview
Mabamba Swamp is a Ramsar wetland site of international importance, and a top destination for birding in Uganda. With local guides, explore the marsh by fishing boat or canoe in groups of 5–7 people, enjoying close-up sightings of the Shoebill stork and a variety of other water birds, including African Jacana, Malachite Kingfisher, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Purple Heron, and more.
The swamp stretches through a long bay along Lake Victoria and supports a community conservation project. Shoebills, with binocular vision and their sharp mandibles, sometimes sit perched for hours—waiting to ambush fish, monitor lizards, baby crocodiles, and water snakes. Their breeding season coincides with the dry season to protect nests from floods.
Travel from Entebbe is about 1 hour by vehicle (mostly dirt road), and about 50km/1.5 hours west from Kampala. The sanctuary is an ideal starting point for extended wildlife and cultural tours in Western Uganda.
The swamp stretches through a long bay along Lake Victoria and supports a community conservation project. Shoebills, with binocular vision and their sharp mandibles, sometimes sit perched for hours—waiting to ambush fish, monitor lizards, baby crocodiles, and water snakes. Their breeding season coincides with the dry season to protect nests from floods.
Travel from Entebbe is about 1 hour by vehicle (mostly dirt road), and about 50km/1.5 hours west from Kampala. The sanctuary is an ideal starting point for extended wildlife and cultural tours in Western Uganda.
Highlights
- Ramsar site conservation area
- Exclusive Shoebill sightings
- Birding tour by boat in small groups with local guides
- Observe over a dozen notable water and marshland bird species
- Community-based conservation experience
- Expert insights on Shoebill biology and behavior
- Easy access from Entebbe and Kampala
Meeting Location
Kampala Hotel Pickup
Additional Information
Policy
List of Services
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Health & Participation Participation in our East African tours requires that you are in good overall health. Please inform us in advance if you have any medical conditions or dietary restrictions. The tour leader may, at their discretion, disqualify any participant whose physical condition could compromise their safety or that of the group. No refunds will be issued under such circumstances.Health & Participation
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Changes, Delays, and Tour Cancellation Rafiki Eco Tours reserves the right to adjust dates, itineraries, or accommodations in response to unexpected situations, such as adverse weather or transportation issues. Any extra expense due to such changes is the guest’s responsibility. If Rafiki Eco Tours must cancel a tour before departure—for example, due to insufficient participants or logistic issues—all payments made to Rafiki Eco Tours will be fully refunded. However, we are not responsible for non-refundable costs you may have incurred to prepare for your trip, such as airline tickets, special gear, or visa fees.Changes, Delays, and Tour Cancellation
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Limitations of Liability Rafiki Eco Tours, its owners, agents, and employees act as intermediaries for other service providers. We are not responsible for injury, loss, or damage to person or property resulting from factors outside our control (e.g. natural disasters, civil disturbances, regulatory changes). Any itinerary changes will be made to ensure your safety and comfort.Limitations of Liability
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Acknowledgment of Terms By making a reservation and submitting your deposit, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to these terms and conditions.Acknowledgment of Terms
Included in the Tour Price:
- Transportation in a 4WD vehicle or van
- English-speaking Ugandan driver/guide
- Specified accommodations
- All national park entrance fees
- All game drives as listed in the itinerary
- International airfare
- Meals not included in your accommodation
- Personal travel or medical insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, souvenirs, etc.)
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Customs Notice Prior to returning to your home country, check local customs regulations. Notably, countries such as Australia and New Zealand have strict quarantine laws.Customs Notice
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Cancellation Policy To secure your spot on any Rafiki Eco Tours adventure, a non-refundable deposit of 40% of the total trip price is required at booking. The remaining 60% must be paid no later than 60 days before the tour’s departure date. All tour prices are provided and payable in U.S. dollars. If you need to cancel your reservation, refunds will be handled according to the following schedule:Cancellation Policy
- If you cancel more than 45 days before the tour’s first day: you will receive a refund of 65% of your deposit.
- For cancellations made 30–45 days before the tour: you will receive a 40% refund of the total tour cost.
- For cancellations with less than 25 days’ notice, no refund can be issued.
Pricing From
USD $265 per person
Available Time: Year Round
Duration: 1 Day
Begins: Morning pick-up from Entebbe
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