Sundarkathi

BONNIE CAMP|BONNIE CAMP WATCH TOWER|SUNDARIKATHI ECO CONSERVATION CAMP

The original name of the camp was Sundarikati Eco Conservation Camp. On 15th July 2003, Shri Budhhadeb Guha, a famous novelist renamed the camp as Bonnie Camp.

Like all other camps in Sundarbans, this enclosed area consists of a Eco Museum just below the Watch Tower, a Banbibi temple, a few ethnic cottages with night stay option, a round-shaped lodge cum dormitory as well as a tall watchtower. This watchtower, 50 feet high, is the highest watchtower in the Sundarbans. An added attraction of the park is a deer enclosure. where one can see numerous deer moving around the enclosure.

Other than the watchtower, the camp has a beautiful and well maintained park, artificial bridge over a small pond and the administrative office as well as the staff quarters. There is also a sweet-water pond and a few observation lines where the wildlife of Sundarbans frequent throughout the day. Bonnie Camp, is one of the most beautiful watchtowers in the Sundarbans.  It is quite close to the Bay of Bengal and generally takes around 06 hrs to reach from Sajnekhali by a six cylinder boat . 

The ambiance of the watchtower is absolutely fabulous and one gets the feeling of being marooned on a desolate island when one spends the night at Bonnie camp. The lurking fear of the Royal Bengal Tiger and the barking of the deer at night add an eerie feeling to this destination. In fact, on a moonlit night, the view of the jungle from the watchtower crisscrossed with rivulets and creeks all around is a treat for the eyes and an experience that cannot be expressed in words. 

There is a tourist rest house at Bonnie camp for overnight stay. However, there is no electricity (only solar lights) or AC in the rooms. Prior booking is needed to stay overnight there. Of late, stay option at Bonnie camp has been stopped. Anyone who wants to visit Bonnie camp now have to stay on boats. India Beacons Sojourn arranges for requisite stay for their guests as part of their tour packages.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) in regard to Bonnie Camp, Sundarbans

Q. Where is Bonnie Camp?

A. Bonnie Camp, or the Bonnie Camp Beat falls under the South 24 Parganas Forest Division of Sundarbans. It can be reached ONLY by hired boat or launch

Q. How can Bonnie Camp be reached?

A. Bonnie Camp can be visited only after obtaining Entry Permission. Entry permissions are issued from Jharkhali Range Office or Kaikhali Forest Office. So one can visit Bonnie Camp only after obtaining requisite permission. Entry permits are often prearranged by Tour Operators if tourists visit Bonnie Camp as part of our Composite Tour Packages

Q. Is Bonnie Camp same as Sundarkathi Camp?

A. The original name of the camp was Sundarikati Eco Conservation Camp. On 15th July 2003, Shri Budhhadeb Guha, a famous novelist renamed the camp as Bonnie Camp. Bonnie Camp, is commonly known as Bonnie Camp. The Bonnie Camp camp is famous for its watchtower, an Eco Museum, a sweet water pond and a few observation lines.It can be reached ONLY by hired boat or launch

Q. Where are the Boat starting points for visiting Bonnie Camp?

A. To reach Bonnie camp there are a number of Entry Point Jetties.These are at Canning, Sonakhali, Godhkhali as well as Jharkhali. One can also start the journey from Kaikhali. Boat services can be availed from these jetties ONLY upon prior and advance booking.

Q.Where can you hire a boat in advance to visit Bonnie Camp?

A. There are no Regular and organised Boat Rentals service from any of the Entry Point jetties. You can call Boat Owners directly to book or hire boats in advance to visit the Bonnie Camp Watch Tower. You can also join Fixed day Tour packages operated by tour operators in case you do not want to personally charter or hire a boat.

Q. How far is Bonnie Camp from Godhkhali?

A To visit Bonnie Camp, Entry Permission and Recognised Guides have to be obtained either Jharkhali Range Office or Kaikhali Forest Office.So one has to visit Jharkhali Range Office or Kaikhali Forest Office before visiting Bonnie Camp.Jharkhali can be reached from Kolkata directly by vehicle in 3:00 - 3:30 hrs, depending upon road conditions. Thereafter, one can reach Bonnie Camp in about 3:30 - 4:00 hrs.

Q. What are the places to visit near Bonnie Camp or with Bonnie Camp?

A. A tour of Bonnie Camp is often combined with Kalash Camp and Kalash beat. A few adventurous also visit Bhagabatpur Crocodile projest as well as the Haliday & Lothian Wild life Sanctuary. This trip and circuit takes a minimum of two to three days depending upon where you start the tour.

Q. How many days are required to visit the Bonnie Camp from Sajnekhali zone?

A. Bonnie Camp can be reached from Sajnekhali in 3:30 - 4:00 hrs depending upon the tides. However, a visit just to visit the Bonnie Camp would be incomplete unless one visits the narrow creeks and canals in the vicinity of the Bonnie Camp as well as the Kalash camp and Kalash Beach. So, a bare minimum of 2 to 3 day is a bare minimum to visit the Bonnie Camp Circuit area and its vicinity.

Q. How many days are required to visit South 24 Parganas Division Forest (Sundarbans) circuit?

A. The major attractions of the South 24 Parganas Division Forest (Sundarbans) circuit comprises of the Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project, Bonnie Camp, Kalash camp and the Kalash island area. To cover this area a minimum of two to three day is required. However, a longer period tour of 3N 4D is desired.

Q. Which is the best time to visit Bonnie Camp Watch tower?

A. Bonnie Camp Watch Tower can be reached after crossing wide rivers. These rivers have a lot of waves even during normal times. The situation becomes dangerous during the months of April till September, when the trip can be undertaken only in sturdy boats and Launches. Hence, Bonnie Camp is best visited during the months of October till March. However, as stated earlier, only big and safe boats and launches are suitable for the other months.