Tracking Shoebill in East Africa

Tracking Shoebill in East Africa : Shoebill tracking safaris has been one of the most done experiences in a handful of birding safari location in East Africa. In East Africa, birding tour shoebill storks are the most sought-after other bird species which can be more sighted in Uganda and Rwanda. Uganda and Rwanda sound like the top best locations where travelers have a high chance of spotting this prehistoric, elusive, and vulnerable bird, all these names are referred to as the shoebill stork.

In Uganda, the shoebill stork can be seen in over nine ‘’9’’ best locations; Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Mabamba Swamp, Lugogo Swamp inside the Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Lwera swamp found along the Kampala –Masaka highway, Makanaga Swamp, Semuliki National Park on the shores of Lake Albert, Ishasha sector in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park and at the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre in Entebbe.

In Rwanda, the shoebill stork can only be viewed in Akagera National Park

Best Time to Go Tracking for The Shoebill Stork

Generally, the best time for birding and a chance to spot the shoebill stork is from late May through September. During that time there can be less rain and food in plenty. The main key location to encounter Albertine bird species is Bwindi and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park which starts in May and June but from Mid-April to Mid-May the rains might still be too heavy.

Where to track shoebill stork in Uganda;

Uganda makes it the best spotting shoebill site that offers unforgettable life experiences to our life. However, the shoebill is an elusive prehistoric bird species whose history is so reliable that drives back to dinosaur times. Recently, the shoebill ‘’stork’’ was reclassified as a pelican. More so, shoebills lay eggs similar to pelicans and also share DNA similarities with the pelican.

Facts, shoebill stork usually ranges between 40 and 50 inches, although it may be larger than this depending on the individual bird species.

Male shoebill birds usually weigh around 12 pounds ‘’in 5 kilograms’’ and are a little bit heavier than female shoebills.

All shoebill birds have massive shoe–like bills and feature grey plumage that is brown when they are still young.

Shoebill storks have a large wingspan meant for soaring and short necks, unlike their stork and pelican relatives, yet their body and wings are shaped like a condor, shoebills are not related to this type of bird species.

Shoebills use their powerful shoe-like –bills to kill and eat their prey. They may also eat some rodents, turtles, and smaller birds though it’s not very common.

They use their bills to communicate with one another but may also rarely make sounds like a form of communication as well.

Murchison Falls National Park Park

In Murchison Falls National Park shoebill can be tracked at the delta area where the Victoria Nile divides into Lake Albert and the Albert Nile- it extends further north through Sudan into the Mediterranean Sea. The fact is that the delta area is a famous site for tracking shoebill, it is also home to a variety of other notable Ugandan birds. Shoebill tracking in Murchison Falls National Park is best conducted on a boat safari downstream. Another option, one can opt to take the boat trip one away to track the shoebill where they are led by a guide on a game drive through the savannah plains of the gigantic Murchison Falls National Park.

Note; the boat safari is the best way to track shoebill storks in Murchison Falls National Park which requires proper planning in advance. Trackers are recommended to carry their packed lunch from the lodge and your guide will be found waiting for you at the delta area.

Mabamba Swamp on Lake Victoria

The Mabamba swamp lies on the famous Lake Victoria renowned as the world’s second-largest lake after Lake Superior. More to that, Mabamba swamp is home to the vulnerable shoebill stork which can be accessed from Entebbe using a traditional motorized canoe.  In Mabamba swamp shoebill tracking is best done both in the morning and afternoon, we have a preference for tracking in the morning when the temperature is cool.

The best time to track the shoebill in Mabamba swamp is in the dry season from January –March. Visit Uganda Wildlife Safari, you can opt to do a 1-day Shoebill tour into Mabamba Swamp.

Lake Mburo National Park

The park is Uganda’s smallest game park that is located approximately 4 hours from Kampala. Lake Mburo National Park is another amazing park to visit for people who are lovers of birding, especially spotting the rare shoebill stork in Uganda, Tracking Shoebill in East Africa

You can opt; To do 3 Days Lake Mburo safari including shoebill tracking.

Toro-Semuliki Reserve

The Toro-Semuliki reserve is one of Uganda’s bird sanctuaries that boasts over 400 bird species including the shoebills. This reserve lies in Southwestern Uganda and can be accessed from Fort portal town.

The best time to visit the Toro-Semuliki reserve for birding is March and the relatively to dry season which happens from December to February. This time is best for breeding for most bird species.

Toro- Semuliki Reserve is also popular shoebill tracking in Uganda.

Ishasha Sector ‘’Queen Elizabeth National Park’’

Though the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park is remarked as a great location for seeing the rare tree-climbing lions at the same time one of the best sites for travelers to track shoebill storks along the Marsh-filled Lake Edward shores. Apart from tracking down the elusive shoebill stork, one can enjoy a remote wildlife viewing experience in this part of the park though often skipped by many tour operators.

Makanaga Swamp

Makanaga Swamp is also an amazing place to spot shoebills. It can be reached roughly a 60-kilometer drive from Entebbe, and also can be accessed via Kampala –Masaka Road. Makanaga is less visited compared to Mabamba Swamp. Thus making Makanaga the best place to visit for every intent birder who loves to go to less crowded sites.

Lwera Swamp

The Lwera Swamp is en route to the western part of Uganda the same route to; Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Forest National Park, and Lake Mburo National Park –a good location to spot the shoebill. Your guide will often stop around the swamp to be able to sightsee some folks of storks.

Lugogo Swamp

This is also one of the nine places to track the shoebill stork which can be easily combined with a visit to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for Rhino tracking, chimpanzee tracking in Budongo Forest, boat safari –game drive, tracking shoebill in Murchison Falls National Park, Tracking Shoebill in East Africa

You can try a safari holiday of 4 days at Murchison Falls Safari.

Uganda Wildlife Education Centre

This is previously known as Entebbe Zoo. Today is referred to as ‘’UWEC’’ Uganda Wildlife Education Centre which is a rehabilitation center for rescued animals recovered from poachers and traffickers.

It is a welcoming place to all guests and lovely to kids. A visit to the Uganda wildlife education offers proper insight into what Uganda has in store regarding wildlife species.

Travelers on a visit for shoebill tracking on Uganda Safari holiday combine it with a safari to Queen Elizabeth national park –Game drive, boat cruise, chimpanzees tracking or combine it with a visit to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinag National park for Gorilla trekking and Batwa visit among others.Get started planning now a great safari with great memories.