Set on a bluff above the Kazinga Channel, The River Station is the place to be in the Queen Elizabeth area. Guests hardly need to leave the lodge to have excellent wildlife-viewing (elephants parade past the breakfast table), but leave they must to experience the wonders of the Kyambura Game Reserve. With in-house resident guides, guests can explore the 7 crater lakes, track chimpanzees, find a hyena den, follow lion cubs and enjoy the privacy of this low-impact wilderness zone. And when the afternoon sun is hot and the breeze ruffles the water, climb aboard Mona Lisa, our Lamu dhow – a first in Uganda – and sail the waters of the Kazinga Channel. Sophisticated, unpretentious and timeless, The River Station (and its gorgeous little sister Honey Bear Bush Camp) is the only accommodation within the entire Game Reserve and guests are likely to have the whole Reserve to themselves. With added luxuries like private plunge pools in every room and a safari spa perched over a water hole for a ‘massage-with-a-view’, this new lodge in the Wildplaces portfolio is a game-changer for the western Uganda circuit. (wild places)
Safari Cottage
(9 ROOMS)
9 grand and breezy tented cottages. Each with huge expansive decks, private plunge-pools, indoor and outdoor showers, views over the Kazinga Channel & the distant Rwenzori Mountains.
2-bedroom Safari Cottage
(1 ROOM)
A Two bedroom tented cottage. Each bedroom is ensuite, has its own deck and private plunge-pool. There is a shared living room area separating the two bedrooms, perfect for private dining or relaxing after the days activities.
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 one of our highlights, 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. Meander through this stunning forest, watching birds and monkeys leap from branch to branch and hippo grunting in the river. All the while listen out for the distinctive call of the chimpanzees and follow their trail. These wild Chimps are comfortable around people and may just welcome you into their world for a little while. Climb your way out at the end and head back to camp by boat with a new found appreciation for humans closest relatives. Other than Chimpanzees, expect to see Colobus and Red-Tailed Monkeys, Olive Baboons, Hippo, Elephant and a variety of birds.
Game Drive
Game Drives are the bread and butter of any safari in Africa. From The River Station, we do game drives 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
Walking in the bush is one of our favorite ways of experiencing the African wilderness. 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.
For more information on the River Station, click HERE