17/09/2026
Safari Diary: The Pearl of Africa 🇺🇬
“King of the Marshes”
Shoebills are large prehistoric looking birds found in the vast fresh water wetlands of the Nile watershed in Eastern Africa and down into Zambia.
There is a single species of Shoebill, Balaeniceps rex, and although they are sometimes incorrectly referred to as a stork, they are more closely related to pelicans.
With a 2.3mt wing span, a height of 1.5mt and a clog shaped bill which is a foot long, their bill is the third longest of all living birds. Its sharp edges and hook at the tip allows the bird to grab, grip, and kill live prey.
Shoebills can stand virtually motionless for hours with their bills held down against their necks. Their patience pays off when it’s time to feed, allowing them to ambush unsuspecting prey who likely had no idea the motionless bird was lurking in the area.
Their sharp, large beak allows the shoebill to hunt larger prey than is typical for wading birds. They primarily eat fish, showing a preference for lungfish, but will also prey on frogs, water snakes, and young crocodiles.
The shoebill is classified as Vulnerable, meaning the species is at high risk of becoming extinct. Estimates suggest there are only between 3,300 and 5,300 mature individuals left in the wild, and populations are on the decline. Their future is in jeopardy due to hunting, nesting disturbance, habitat loss, and drought caused by climate change. Shoebills are also threatened by illegal live bird trade, with high mortality during capture, transit, and captivity.
Privately guided safaris led by Teeku Patel and Bijal Ole Aitong
Z8 + 500mm PF ED VR f5.6 + TC 1.7
