Honeybear Bush Camp – Kazinga Channel – Kyambura Game Reserve

Honeybear Bush Camp is a rustic yet charming wilderness retreat set on the banks of the Kazinga Channel within the private Kyambura Game Reserve close to Queen Elizabeth National Park.  A beautifully designed, luxurious tented camp perfectly set to discover the chimpanzees at Kyambura Gorge, the Kazinga Channel, the Crater Lakes and Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The camp embraces simplicity and immersion in nature, making it a perfect choice for travellers who seek to connect with the wild and experience the region’s rich wildlife. With its laid-back atmosphere and spectacular setting, Honeybear Bush Camp is an invitation to slow down and savour the rhythms of the bush.

Location

Honeybear Bush Camp is located on the banks of the Kazinga Channel in the private Kyambura Game Reserve close to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Accommodation

There are just 5 beautifully appointed, double, en-suite safari tents equipped with outdoor bucket showers and comfortable beds.  Each tent is set up to enjoy views of the Kazinga channel and the Rwenzori Mountains.

The camp’s communal areas include a dining tent and an open-air lounge where guests can relax, share meals, and enjoy the campfire under a starlit sky.  You will fall asleep to the grunts of hippos and wake up to herds of elephants coming down to have their daily drink.

Activities and wildlife

Experience walking through unexplored terrain in the reserve, lion and leopard tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park and boat cruises in the channel. As the only camp in the  reserve, exclusive night drives  are organised at your leisure, as well as guided chimp tracking with the Uganda Wildlife Authority in Kyambura Game Reserve. With in-house resident guides, guests can explore the 7 crater lakes,  find a hyena den, follow lion cubs and enjoy the privacy of the low-impact zone.

Green Season: April, May & October, November

Moderate Temperatures, need of rain gear such as rain jackets. Lush green vegetation and more dispersed wildlife.  Exceptional views of the stunning Rwenzori Mountains.

Dry Season: January, February, March, June, July, August, September, December

Hot and dry, animals are more likely to gather by the channel, especially elephants.

Flora and Fauna

Birds: Exceptional birding with many Water & Savanna birds – pelicans, kingfishers, fish eagles, storks bee-eaters, Egyptian geese, African jacana, various owls, various

hornbill, coucals and many others.

Mammals: The two bays by the camp have the highest density of hippos in the National Park. Elephants, Waterbuck, Warthog, Buffaloes, Giant Forest Hogs, and Ugandan Kob are common. Lion, Leopard & Hyena have been spotted near camp. Chimpanzees can be found in the Kyambura Gorge just around the corner.

Reptiles: Crocodiles, monitor lizards, Terrapins and more.

Boat Safari – a cruise down the famous Kazinga channel in one of our specially modified safari boats. A canopy provides shade, 4 swivel seats ensure optimal game viewing to get all the best angles, and a cushioned lounging area in the bow. The Kazinga Channel is a highlight, with enormous populations of elephant swimming and frolicking in the shallows and hippo galore. Nile Crocodiles, Buffalo and other ungulates are common sites. Birding is exceptional including a great variety of water bird species.

Chimp Tracking in Kyambura Gorge – the stunning Kyambura Gorge is a little over 10km in length and 100m deep. The gorge, in drastic contrast to the surrounding savannah is inhabited by a dense riparian rainforest and his home to one large community of Chimpanzees. Descend into the gorge on foot with a team of expert Chimpanzee tracking guides. The wild chimpanzees are comfortable around people and after an hour you will climb your way out and head back to camp by boat. Other than Chimpanzees, expect to see Colobus and Red-Tailed Monkeys, Olive Baboons, Hippo, Elephant and a variety of birds.

Game Drive – within the exclusive Kyambura Game Reserve as well as across the Channel in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Depending on conditions, wildlife movements and your preferences, your guide will discuss the best area for the drive with you. Expect to see Lion, Leopard, Spotted Hyena, Elephant, Buffalo, Hippo, Waterbuck, Bushbuck & Warthog among many others. As always in Uganda, a great variety of birdlife will also be spotted, with opportunities to see Lesser Flamingo in one of the many crater lakes.

Night Drive – after dark provides some of the best opportunities for predator sightings, as well as the chance to see some of the unusual and lesser seen nocturnal creatures that only reveal themselves at night. Using a spotlight, look out for the distinctive reflection of pairs of eyes watching you from the bush. As well as the typical animals one might spot on a game drive, expect to see leopard, lion, genets, mongoose, scrub hare, yellow winged bats, night jars, owls and much more.

Bush Walks – immerse yourself in a raw wildlife experience with a professional walking guide to interpret the bush. Examine spoor, track animals, taste wild fruits and smell wild flowers with chances to get up close and personal with a variety of game. There are many walking routes to choose from savanna walks, forest walks and of course walking some of the stunning crater rims.

Conservation and Community

The River Station is committed to sustainable, low-impact tourism and works closely with local communities to ensure that tourism benefits both people and wildlife. The lodge provides employment and training opportunities for local residents, while its operations are designed to minimise environmental impact. Guests staying at The River Station play a role in supporting conservation and community development in this remote and fragile landscape

Conservation and Community

Honeybear Bush Camp is committed to low-impact tourism and to supporting local communities. The camp operates in harmony with its surroundings, keeping its environmental footprint light while creating opportunities for local employment and cultural exchange.

HONEYBEAR CAMP IS OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND

HONEYBEAR BUSH CAMP WELCOMES FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN OVER THE AGE OF 15 YEARS.  THE CAMP IS UNFENCED AND THERE ARE NO FACILITIES FOR CHILDREN