Makanaga wetland is an extension of Mabamba swamp Ramsar site located 1hr and 30 minutes drive away from Kampala city. The wetland is found along Namugoba landing site road in Mpigi district. Makanaga wetland is not as popular as Mabamba swamp which is the first choice destination when it comes to shoebill watching and birding in Uganda. The swamp is a home to 200 bird species and 300 plant species. Makanaga has a perfect environment that enables visitors to see shoebill stork and other birds. Some of these birds include, little egret, little stilts, black winged stilt, white faced whistling duck, great egrets, gulls, wood and common sandpiper, long- tailed cormorants, African jacana, yellow-billed duck, gees, black winged terns, pied kingfisher and malachite kingfisher.
Birding watching
Bird watching in Makanaga wetland can be done on the motorized canoe so as to access the mudflats where most of the wintering birds stay during the months of October to May. The marshes harbors secretive birds like spur-winged goose, common squacco heron, spur-winged lapwing, white faced whistling duck among others. Most cases, shoebills are rare in the Makanaga wetland since they move to Mabamba wetland. Makanaga also has migratory birds like the Caspian tern. Some other birds that bring the birders to Makanaga wetland include the southern pochard and papyrus gonolek which is endemic to Lake Victoria. The activity can be done in the morning or evening with the help of the Uganda wildlife authority rangers. In order one to enjoy the experience, visitors should carry field guide book, camera and a pair of binoculars, appropriate clothes like, shoes and boots.
How to get to Makanaga wetland
Makanaga wetland is located in Mpigi district 1hr and 30 mins drive away from Kampala city center depending on traffic. The swamp is accessed by road or water. You drive along Kampala- Masaka highway to Kamengo town. Reaching Kamengo, turn off at Butoolo road and drive for about 20 minutes to Namugoba landing site. Alternatively one can choose to use a boat trip from Mabamba swamp however, the journey is longer.
