Shoebill watching in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Shoebill watching in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is one of the birding destinations in Uganda where tourists are assured of seeing the rare Shoebill Stork. The sanctuary is located along Kampala Gulu highway in Nakasongola district, where it covers a total area of 70sq.km. Though Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is famous for rhino tracking, it is as well a habitat for birdlife especially the Shoebill Stork along the marshes of Lugogo swamp.

Shoebill watching in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

Shoebill watching is one of the activities that can be done in Ziwa rhino sanctuary, however, other bird species can be spotted in different parts of this gazetted area. The shoe bill is best seen using the canoe along Lugogo swamp while other bird species are seen during nature walks in different areas of the sanctuary.

Apart from the shoebill, other notable bird species include African broadbill, black-headed heron, booted eagle, African hoopoe, common bulbul, blue-breasted kingfisher, grey heron, long-tailed cormorant, Namaqua dove, Senegal coucal, red-headed bluebill, wattled lapwing, white stork, variable sunbird, yellow fronted canary, scared ibis, white-headed barbet, and great blue turaco to mention but a few.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is not the only place to see the shoebill stork in Uganda. There are other several places where this rare bird species can be seen and they include the Mabamba swamp, Ishasha sector in Queen Elizabeth national park, Semuliki national park, Makanga Bay Swamp, UWEC, and the Nile Delta in Murchison falls national park.

Mabamba wetland

Mabamba wetland in Entebbe is one of the best places to see shoebill storks in Uganda. Searching the shoebill in Mabamba is done in the morning and afternoon hours on local boats with guides. There are over 20 bird species living in the wetland but the shoebill is the most sought-after bird and the main reason as to why birders visit this area.

Mabamba wetland is the only place in Uganda where birders are assured of viewing the shoebill stork while on a safari in Uganda. Tourists who have just arrived in the country can start their safari from Mabamba to sight the shoebill before going to other birding areas. Shoebills at Mabamba wetland are given a lot of protection and the nearby people have been educated on how useful these birds are to the country. Fishermen rent their boats to the birders to search for the shoebill and in the end they get paid.

The Nile delta

The Nile delta in Murchison falls national park is one of the areas where birders can see the shoebill stork. Taking a boat cruise is the only way tourists can get to the Nile delta in Murchison falls national park. On the way to and from the Nile delta, birders get to spot so many water bird species and animals along the river banks.

Apart from the shoebill, birders get to spot birds such as the African fish eagle, goliath heron, Senegal thick-knee, long-toed lapwing, denham’s bustard, giant kingfisher, spotted verreaux’s eagle, Abyssinian ground hornbill, grey crowned crane, pel’s fishing owl, white-bellied night heron, and long-toed plover to mention but a few.

Ishasha sector

Ishasha sector located in the southern sector of Queen Elizabeth national park is another place to see the shoebill stork. The area is famous for the tree climbing lions which can not be found anywhere else in the country however it is also a good bird watching destination within the park. The shoebill stork in Ishasha sector is usually spotted on the shores of lake Edward which is found in the north of the area.

The Uganda Wildlife Education Centre Entebbe

There are a few shoebill species are the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre in Entebbe which have been kept for bird lovers who have little time in the country to spot them. These shoebills are kept in houses and fed from there which stops them from escaping. While in Entebbe, birders who are interested in looking at the shoebill can visit this Conservation Centre to see a few of them.

Semuliki national park

Semuliki national park is known for bird watching safaris on the western side part of Uganda. The area is a lowland tropical forest harboring 441 bird species among which include the shoebill stork. The shoebill stork in Semuliki national park is seen on a boat cruise around Lake Albert which is found in the north of the park.

The best time to spot the shoebill in Uganda

The shoebill stork in Uganda is best seen during the dry season which happens from June to September and December to February. This is because there is little rainfall and plenty of sunshine which doesn’t affect the activity. The walking trails are dry and easier to walk through up to the shoebill spotting areas. The water levels in areas where the shoebill is seen by boat are very low which doesn’t affect the movement of the boats.