Uganda is home to various bird species in Africa and the world at large. Even though wildlife, Gorillas, chimpanzees, culture, Mountains are the most selling point for Uganda, Birding is another must do and see activity in Uganda that we can tailor with other activities for you not to miss out. The shoebill stork makes Uganda more attractive for Bird watchers travelling across Africa. The diversity in terms of Swamps, Forests, Grasslands, Shores of various water bodies is habitat to more than 150 species of birds in Uganda. Check out our birding trips and safaris

The shoebill which is regarded as the rare species can be spotted in more than 10 places in Uganda, how beautiful is that? So a shoebill tailored safari, you have more chances of spotting the bird in Uganda. There are various types of storks in Uganda. Namely, Yellow-billed stork, Shoebill stork, Marabou stork, Saddle Billed Stork, open billed stork. All these can be spotted in Uganda as well. You can spot the Shoebill stork in some of the best Ugandan places as below.

Makanaga Swamp bay

Makanaga Swamp Bay is regarded as one of the best Shoebill spots in Uganda, the swamp is located on Lake Victoria and can be accessed from Kampala or Entebbe by a canoe boat to the swamp, and it gives you a great view of the shoebill stork and other birds when you visit the area. The trip to Makanaga starts in the morning with a canoe boat ride having the Swamp/Local guide on board, telling the history and also spotting lots of birds and other aquatic life on the swamp.

The swamp is open for birders and visitors throughout the year as it has a lot to offer you, Encounter Africa safaris organizes birding safaris in Uganda and you can check out different packages https://www.gorilla-tracking-uganda.com/trip-ideas/birding-safari but we can as well tailor the trip to Makanaga with your gorilla safari. Contact us for a shoebill trip and you will get a reply in less than five minutes.

Semuliki National Park

Semuliki National park is one of the most popular birding watching sites and is regarded as a bird’s haven in Uganda, having over 400 bird species and represents 66% of the country’s forest bird species, it gives you an opportunity to spot different birds on your visit. The park is located in Southwestern Uganda, shared by Bundibugyo and Notoroko districts, it can be accessed from the Fort portal Hub and you will have chance to visit other Parks like Kibale National Park, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Mountain Rwenzori National Park as well as the Rwenzori escarpments.

The Host springs in Semuliki National Park is one of the key highlights that you shouldn’t miss, 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, Chances are many for spotting it though Luck detects as well.

Our professional Birding guides will make you shoebill experience very enjoyable and give you adequate information about the storks and other birds, The park also has around 5 endemic Albertine species and some of the highlights are; Black Dwarf Hornbill, red-billed dwarf hornbill, the Swamp Palm Bulbul, the white-crested hornbills, blue and Ross’s Turacos, the Blue-billed Malimbe, Great Black-casqued Wattled Hornbill, the Piping Hornbill. Other birds include; the White-throated Blue Swallow, the African Piculet, Leaf-love, Afep Pigeon, White-tailed Robin-Chat, Red-thighed Sparrow hawk, Bates’s Nightjar, Sabine’s Spinetail, Yellow-throated Nicator, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Double-toothed Barbet, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Black Saw-wing, the Crested Malimbe, Maxwell’s Black Weaver, the Red-bellied Malimbe, the Lemon-bellied Crombec, the Red-rumped Tinkerbird, Spotted Greenbul, Fire-crested Alethe, Mountain Greenbul, Orange-cheeked Waxbill, and Chestnut-breasted Negro finch. And other birds will be viewed during game drives and nature walks in the park, Send us an email for shoebill stork trips to Uganda.

Lugogo Swamp Nakasongola

The Lugogo Swamp can be accessed through the Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary and it is one of the best places in Uganda that you are almost guaranteed to see the shoebill stork. Lugogo swamp has more than 300 bird species and thus plenty for you to watch all this beauty. You will take a canoe ride on the swamp early morning with the local guides to start your shoebill trip on the swamp. This activity can take you about 4hours or less as you will be having riding on the swamp, spotting plenty of birds, and other nature.

You can add the Lugogo swamp shoebill trip to your game safari to Murchison and Rhino tracking at Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary. You are required to carry with you a pair of binoculars and even a camera to cover your great experience or even notify us in advance so that we hire for you binoculars to supplement your view.

Lake Albert Delta in Murchison Falls National Park

The shoebill stork in can also be seen along the Albert Delta in Murchison falls National Park, this is the Main attraction especially for visitors interested in birds around Murchison falls National Park. However, the bird is rare there chances of better spotting during January to March regarded as the dry season. Murchison Falls National Park has a lot of birdlife, and this can be spotted during game drives, boat cruise on the delta and bottom of the falls and Nature walks. Contact Encounter Africa Safaris for the game safari, and shoebill stork trip to Murchison falls, National Park

Mabamba Swamp

This is one of the most common areas for shoebill stork experience in Uganda, Mabamba swamp is one of the biggest wetlands on Lake Victoria. It can easily be accessed from Entebbe using a motorized boat or a canoe ride around the swamp. Shoebill stork can be spotted here as well as other birds. You can either go on in the morning or evening for this experience. You can visit Mabamba Swamp either at the start of your trip or at the end of the trip.

Ishasha Sector- Queen Elizabeth National Park

The shoebill stork can be seen in Queen Elizabeth National Park around the swamp on the shores of Lake Edward in the Ishasha Sector. You can add the shoebill tour to the safari for tree climbing lions in Ishasha Sector, and Encounter Africa Safaris will tailor your trip to Ishasha for both game and shoebill tour. Ishasha sector is located in the south of Queen Elizabeth National in western Uganda, and this is one of the biggest parks in Uganda for wildlife viewing and cultural experience on top of the shoebill experience. Send us an email info@gorilla-tracking-uganda.com

Lake Mburo National Park

Shoebill stork has 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 birds on the shores and by luck, you may even spot the shoebill stork. Lake Mburo National a park is also a hub for those interested in birding and wildlife life as well.

Lwera Swamp and Kyabakuza Swamp

Shoebill stork can also occasionally be spotted in these swamps, Lwera and Kyabakuza are located on the way to Bwindi impenetrable National, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Rwenzori National Park, Mgahinga National Park.  On your way, the driver guide will always stop you around to try spot the shoebill stork and if you are lucky enough, you will not miss it. When we tailor your itinerary, we shall make sure that you experience everything.

Uganda Wildlife Education Center-Entebbe (ZOO)  

The Zoo in Uganda is one of the best places where you are guaranteed to see the shoebill stork, you will see the shoebill any time of the day throughout the year. The Zoo is located in Entebbe and it stretches to the Lake Victoria and gives an opportunity to see all wildlife in case you have only come for a conference or work-related appointments.

The Zoo is very close to Entebbe International Airport and it is just a 10 minutes’ drive that gives you chance to visit and then proceed to the Airport to fly out or proceed to visit magnificent Uganda. You can opt to have lunch at the Zoo as well and we can arrange this for you on the beach at the Zoo. Encounter Africa safaris organizes Entebbe excursion to the zoo for shoebill stork and this gives you a 100% chance of seeing the Shoebill stork in Uganda.

Uganda now has the most significant population of Shoebill stork in the region of about 1000 and most are seen around the Swamps, shores of Lakes and Rivers because they mostly feed on aquatic life. The shoebill storks are very beautiful and unique birds that interest most travellers and Encounter Africa safaris can’t wait to take you on a shoebill stork trip. Contact us for tailored Packages having shoebill stork tour, Gorilla tour, Chimpanzee tour, Game safari and any other that interest you.