1 Day Trip To Mabamba Island And Mpanga Forest

A 1-Day Trip to Mabamba Island and Mpanga Forest offers a unique blend of birdwatching, nature exploration, and eco-tourism. This excursion takes visitors to two of Uganda’s most rewarding natural attractions: the famous Mabamba Bay Wetland, renowned for sightings of the rare shoebill stork, and Mpanga Central Forest Reserve, a tropical forest rich in biodiversity. The tour is ideal for bird enthusiasts, photographers, researchers, and travelers seeking a peaceful escape into Uganda’s wetlands and forests within a single day.

Highlights

• Early morning departure from Kampala or Entebbe.
• Canoe excursion through the wetlands of Mabamba Bay Wetland.
• Opportunity to spot the elusive and iconic Shoebill in its natural habitat.
• Excellent birdwatching with sightings of herons, kingfishers, egrets, jacanas, weavers, and other wetland species.
• Scenic views of papyrus swamps and waterways along the shores of Lake Victoria.
• Guided nature walk through Mpanga Central Forest Reserve.
• Discover indigenous tree species, medicinal plants, and forest ecosystems.
• Opportunity to spot monkeys, butterflies, and forest birds.
• Learn about Uganda’s conservation efforts and biodiversity.
• Enjoy peaceful forest trails and natural surroundings.
• Excellent photography opportunities in both wetland and forest environments.
• Picnic or lunch break in a scenic natural setting.
• Experience two contrasting ecosystems in a single day—wetland and tropical forest.
• Suitable for birdwatchers, photographers, students, nature lovers, and researchers.
• Convenient day trip from Kampala or Entebbe.
• Ideal for travelers seeking a relaxed and educational nature experience.

Itinerary

We start the day early in search for the Shoe bill stork in Mabamba Swamp. Mabamba Swamp is a Wetland habitat popular for birdwatching boat tours to spot shoebill storks & other unique species, it is located west of Entebbe in the northern shore of Lake Victoria. Birding in Mabamba swamp is done from a motorized wooden boat by riding through a maze of trails cutting through the thick marshes.

After viewing the birds and learning about its history we continue to Mpanga Forest. The Mpanga Central Forest Reserve is a Natural equatorial rainforest with unique tree species and other flora. The forest also boasts of a number of primates especially the red-tailed monkeys an array of birdlife, grey parrot, Owl, Hornbills and cuckoos, Butterflies and moths. After this adventure we drive back to Kampala.

Included	Transportation Lunch En-route WIFI Bottled water Permits for all activities Entrance fees to all tourist sights. Professional Driver/guide subsistence allowance. Ranger guide fees.
Excluded	Additional Services Insurance Drinks Guide Tips
Travel by Safari Van / Jeep – 4WD

AMOUNT PER PERSON

1 PAX                           $242

2 PAX                           $187

3 PAX                           $168

4 PAX & ABOVE       $158