Shoebill Stork Safaris In Uganda
The shoebill stork safaris make Uganda more attractive for Bird watchers traveling across Africa. The shoebill which is regarded as the rare species can be spotted in more than 10 places in Uganda, how beautiful is that? The diversity in terms of Swamps, Forests, Grasslands, Shores of various water bodies are a habitat to more than 150 species of birds in Uganda.
So a shoe bill tailored safari, you have more chances of spotting the bird in Uganda. There are various types of storks in Uganda namely Yellow billed stork, Shoe bill stork, Marabou stork, Saddel Billed stork, open billed stork. All these can be spotted in Uganda as well. Bird Uganda to spot the Shoe bill stork in some of the best Ugandan places as below
Mabamba Swamp
Mabamba Swamp is considered the Best and most convenient location in Uganda where one can spot the Shoebill Stork in the Wild while on Safari in Uganda.
The Swamp is a part of Lake Victoria an is easier accessible from Entebbe or Kampala. It can easily can be incorporated into a Safari that includes Lake Mburo National Park.
At Mabamba Swamp you are taken by former fishermen, some of which used to see the Shoebill as a bad omen when sighted while going fishing and they would attempt to kill the Shoebill. Today they sing a different tune as they guide you through the vast swamp here A Shoebill Stork outing here will be from two three-hours long. The early morning are best to venture through the swamp in a boat.
Mabamba Swamp – considered the Best for Shoebill Stork Sightings
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – Lugogo Swamp:
Ziwas Rhno Sanctuary on the way to Murchison Falls Park is not only a great place to see Rhinos up close, but one of the best spots where to the see the Shoebill Stork on a boat outing on the swamp that is located here. Shoebill Storks will not be the only bird that you will sight here, there will be other water birds besides plus mammals such as the elusive Sitatunga Antelope.
To get the most out of your Shoebill Swamp excursion at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary spend the night here at Amuka Lodge and have an early morning dawn start on Lugogo Swamp, daybreak is around 6:30 am.
This is the perfect addon to a time on Safari in Murchison Falls Park.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuaries – Rhino Tracking on Foot plus Shoebill Stork Sightings
Murchison Falls Park – Delta Area Boat Ride on the Nile
Most Visitors take a boat ride up the falls, fewer take a ride downward on the Nile to the Delta Area where the Nile flows into Lake Albert. This is and has been one of the best areas in Uganda for Shoebill Sightings while you are on a half0day excurion that takes in the the lower portion of the Nile.
This is a 4-hour boat safari in a comfortable motor-boat and the added plus that you ar not just on any River, but the River Nile.
The chances of seeing a shoebill stork on side of the River standing still looking for a fish to devour are quite high but you are in the wild and there is no guarantee, one can only go by past history and that is quite good.
Semliki Wildlife Reserve – Lake Albert:
This is a great location for Birding, and it is most often birders who come to the Semliki area of Uganda. Shoebill Sightings have a high probability rate here as you take a motor boat onto Lake Alber and find the swampy areas that the shoebill stork prefers. Lungfish is one of their choice of fish and they are also found in the swampy areas of lakes and rivers.
Lake Albert provides the perfect setting for a Shoebill Stork safaris outing and we love to arrange it prior to your arrival on your safari with us.
Lake Albert in the Semliki area offers much more than Shoebill Stork Sighting, however the probability of seeing shoebill storks is one of the main reasons that many visitors venture here on Safari.
The above are not the only areas where you can spot and see the Shoebill Storks, they are the most convenient. We will work with your safari itinerary to make sure that you do not miss the elusive, ancient appearing Shoebill Stork.
