On Safari with Rob and Lou - 1. Mabamba Swamp

Our good mates from Hamilton, Rob and Lou Drummond arrived on 24 June for a three week safari.  Both are well travelled and lived in Zimbabwe for two years about twenty years ago.  Rob is a great bird photographer and was after quality photo opportunities rather than just an accumulation of lifers.  Lou was most keen to see Shoebill, Gorillas and to just immerse herself in Africa once again.  Together we had designed a tour that included four national parks and several other reserves and over 2000 km of driving.  We had a venerable old Land Cruiser on hire from Roadtrip Uganda that served us well for the three weeks.

Malachite Kingfisher

An aquatic orchid

After a night at our house we were up early on the Sunday for a visit to Mabamba Swamp, probably the easiest place in the world to see a Shoebill.  On this first visit we failed despite a three hour search.  We also dipped on the Papyrus Gonolek but did see over 50 species and no-one was too disappointed.  

Fortunately I had left a couple of slots in the itinerary open for return visits if necessary.  So we visited again on 7th July.  We headed down the first Shoebill channel but the guide - Shakul - had a call from another guide to say there was on in the next channel.  By the time we got there the bird had flown deeper into the swamp and for the next hour our boatman punted and dragged the boat through shallow water until we eventually found the bird.  It rained off and on and we were cold and soaked by the time we got back to shore.  So Shoebill success but not the most pleasant of experiences.  Rob was also frustrated with the lack of photo opportunities on the first two trips.

Shakul optimistic despite the looming rain

Lesser Moorhen

We decided on a third trip the day before they flew home and on the 13th July we again found ourselves with Shakul - this time with clear instructions that we wanted to go slowly and take photos of anything that presented themselves.  Of course within minutes of heading out we had seen three Shoebills!  Lots of photos were taken of these and a range of other birds and we thought this was a great ending to our safari.  Contact Shakul on 0784751923 for an excellent value for money birding experience.

Shoebill (trip 3)

Long-toed Lapwing

Breeding and non-breeding plumaged Grey-headed Gulls

Purple Heron

African Jacana

African Swamphen

Rob with a Yellow-billed Duck in his sights.



Our trusty Land Cruiser from Roadtrip Uganda (with roof rack removed for repairs).