Set off in search of the elusive shoebill stork in the Mabamba Swamp, a vast wetland that feeds Lake Victoria with fresh water and ranks among the best sites to observe this rare, prehistoric-looking bird.
Aboard a traditional dugout canoe, you will glide silently through a maze of floating papyrus, scanning the calm waters for this dinosaur-like giant. Without an engine, the canoe allows for silent movement and a closer approach.
With a bit of luck, you will spot it standing motionless, studying its prey before seizing a fish in a single precise strike. The excursion is accessible year-round, with the best conditions found early in the morning.
The chances of observing the shoebill in the Mabamba Swamp are relatively high, with a success rate of around 70 to 80%, particularly at sunrise, when lungfish — its favourite prey — are most active. Experienced guides know its habits and where to look, increasing your chances of this exceptional encounter.
The shoebill is a wading bird that can stand up to 1.20 m tall with a wingspan of 2.30 m. A solitary predator, it moves through shallow waters with dense vegetation, which allow it to move silently and stay hidden to better surprise its prey. Hunting by both sight and hearing, and holding its bill angled downward to keep its field of vision clear, it can remain patiently on watch, waiting for the right moment to swallow its next meal whole. Feeding mainly on fish, water snakes and frogs, it will also take monitor lizards, turtles, baby crocodiles or rodents.
Though highly territorial, it shows little fear of humans, allowing them to approach closely and simply staring back with a cold, expressionless gaze...
An unforgettable experience for nature enthusiasts, combining thrills, wonder and unique photography in the heart of the wild.
