Shoebill Uganda tours & safaris

Shoebill Uganda tours & safaris – Shoebill tracking safaris in Uganda

Shoebill Uganda tours & safaris – Uganda is one of the birding paradises with a total number of 1080 different bird species recorded and a home to the critically endangered mighty Shoebill stork. Bird watching is another must do activity in Uganda that Great Adventure Safaris tailor with other activities for all travellers. The Shoebill stork makes Uganda more attractive for bird watchers travelling across Africa. The diversity in terms of shores of various water bodies, swamps is habitat to more than 170 bird species in Uganda including the Shoebill stork.

The Shoebill stork which is regarded as the rare species of birds can be spotted in many places in Uganda, so a tailored Shoebill safari has more chances of spotting the bird in Uganda. Uganda has got other species of storks and they are Open billed stork, Saddle billed stork, Marabou stork, Yellow billed stork, Abdim’s stork which can be spotted in many different place in Uganda. The Shoebill stork can be best spotted in the place bellow.

Semuliki Wildlife Reserve

Tooro Semuliki Wildlife reserve is one of the popular birding spots, having over 350 bird species and it gives you an opportunity to spot different bird species on your visit. The reserve is located in the South-western Uganda, shared by Bundibugyo and Ntoroko districts and it can be accessed from the Fort portal hub and you wil have a chance to visit other places like Kibale Forest National Park, Rwenzori Mountains National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The Hot springs in Semuliki National Park is one of the key highlights that you shouldn’t miss out, River Semuliki that meanders having oxbow lakes and definitely the beautiful birds. The Shoebill stork is the key highlight for a birding safari and most visitors haven’t missed it in Semuliki as the environment is not spoilt.

Great Adventure Safaris birding guides will make sure you get the best Shoebill experience and give you adequate information about the other storks and birds. Semuliki has got some Albertine species and they are Black Dwarf Hornbill, Red-billed Dwarf, Swamp Palm Bulbul, White-crested hornbill and many others. Contact Great Adventure Safaris for Shoebill Uganda tours & safaris

Ishasha Sector-Queen Elizabeth National Park

The Shoebill stork can also be seen in Queen Elizabeth National Park around the swamp on the shores of Lake Edward in Ishasha sector. You can as well do a game drive here to look out for the tree climbing lions, and Great Adventure Safaris will tailor your trip to Ishasha sector for both wildlife viewing and Shoebill tour. Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the biggest National Parks in Uganda for wildlife and boat safaris as well cultural experience.

Lake Mburo National Park

Shoebill stork can also be seen on the shores of Lake Mburo while on a boat cruise on the lake, the guides will be able to help you identify the bird species on the shores and even sport the shoebill stork. Lake Mburo National Park is also a hub for those interested in birding and wildlife viewing.

Kyabakuza Swamp and Lwera Swamp

A Shoebill stork is accasionally spotted in these swamps along the Masaka-Mbarara highway which takes you to Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks. Here, your driver guide will always stop around and try to scan in the swamps and at most times you have a chance to spot the Shoebill stork. When Great Adventure Safaris tailor your itinerary, we make sure that you experience the best of your Uganda safari.

Makanaga Swamp

Makanaga swamp bay is one of the best Shoebill stork spots in Uganda and the swamp is found on Lake Victoria and can be accessed from Kampala or Entebbe by a canoe boat which gives you the best view of the Shoebill stork and other water birds when you visit the swamp. The trip to Makanaga swamp starts in the morning with a canoe boat ride with a guide who will tell you more about the aquatic life on the swamp and the history of Uganda.

Mabamba Swamp

This is the most common areas for the Shoebill stork experience in Uganda. Mabamba swamp is one of the biggest wetlands on Lake Victoria and easy to access from Entebbe using a motorized boat or a canoe ride around the swamp. Shoebill stork can be spotted here as well as other water birds and you can either go on your Shoebill tour in the moring or afternoon. You can as well choose to start with your Shoebill Uganda tours & safari to Mabamba swamp or end with it after your Uganda safari.

Lugogo Swamp

The Lugogo swamp also offers chances of spotting the Shoebill stork and can be accessed through the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and it is one of the best places that you are almost guaranteed to see the Shoebill stork. Lugogo swamp has more than 300 different bird species making it a birding paradise. Take a canoe boat ride to the swamp early morning with a local guide to look out for the Shoebill stork and this activity can take you about four hours or less depending on your interests and how much to spot while out there.

It is possible to combine your Shoebill safari to Lugogo swamp with a safari to Murchison Falls National Park for more wildlife viewing and boat safaris to the bottom of the falls and to the delta point. At Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is where we have the White Rhinos thus tracking them is only done here before heading to Murchison Falls National Park.

Delta Point in Murchison Falls National Park

At this point where the mighty River Nile meets Lake Albert is the lowest point of Uganda at 612 metres above sea level. This point receives the highest amount of lightning strikes in the world and this is the main attraction for visitors interested in bird watching around Murchison Falls National Park. At this point there are better chances of spotting the rare Shoebill stork especially during the months of January to April regarded as the dry season. Murchison Falls National Park has a lot of birdlife, and this can be spotted during game drives, boat safaris and nature walks. Contact Great Adventure Safaris for a wildlife safari and shoebill tou