FAQ

In order to make preparations easier, please find some frequently asked questions on
elephant sanctuary visits & trekking in Sen Monorom, Mondulkiri, Cambodia:

  1.  Where is the Elephant Sanctuary and how to get there?
  2. Why should I choose to visit the Mondulkiri Elephant & Wildlife Sanctuary?
  3. What to pack in preparation for treks & elephant visits?
  4. Where do I book and how do I pay?
  5. Do I need to book in advance?
  6. Is elephant riding possible ?

Where is the Elephant Sanctuary and how to get there?

We are located in Mondulkiri province, northeastern Cambodia
 5.5 to 6 hours drive from Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh.
Direct express vans from Phnom Penh, are the most convenient way to get to Sen Monorom.
It is also possible to travel to Sen Monorom, from nearby provinces: Kratie and Ratanakiri.
For the full transport guide to Mondulkiri, Mondulkiri ticket booking and more travel info :
Visit the Mondulkiri travel guide by Nature Lodge.

Important reasons for including Mondulkiri's elephant sanctuaries 
in your Cambodian travel plan & choosing LEAF's conservation projects :

  1.  FOR THE ELEPHANTS - Our sanctuary practices an ethical wildlife policy. There are no elephants tricks, tourist rides, or forced performances. Small groups of visitors, engage in respectful, natural activities with the elephants. Including careful feeding and bathing. 
  2. FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES - By visiting our sanctuary, you are supporting a certified & sustainable local NGO & conservation project that protects forests, creates livelihoods & ongoing sustainable incomes for the 52 indigenous village families who co-own the sanctuary elephants. This greatly reduces financial dependance on logging & hunting. The project also creates additional jobs, training & learning opportunities for many locals. 
  3. SUSTAINABLE CONSERVATION  - We operate a functional, sustainable, ecotourism project model: Our entire operation is financially possible thanks to visitor contributions to our project. LEAF employs 21 local personnel: Office staff, sanctuary staff, drivers and guides.
  4. SUPPORT LOCAL LEADERSHIP - The LEAF admin, staff & team are all local residents of Mondulkiri, working on basic local wages or as volunteers. Our many Western helpers and supporters are all volunteers. Our sanctuary tour rates are lower due to the fact we train & hire Khmer locally & do not employ foreighners. Other elephant sanctuaries and NGOs in Mondulkiri, are permanantly managed by foreighners, on western salaries, and therefore, more expensive to visit.
  5. VISIT MONDULKIRI - Following your sanctuary visit, you get to see more of Mondulkiri Province - one of Cambodia’s most beautiful and scenic destination. The highland plateau around Sen Monorom offers lovely hill views, cooler climate and some of the best eco-tourism sites in Cambodia. From here, you can continue to other interesting destinations in Northern Cambodia such as Ratankiri, Kratie, Stung Treng and the border crossings with Vietnam & Laos.

What you need to bring on Mondulkiri sanctuary tours - pack list for day treks and othernight tours:

  1. Comfortable footwear for trekking ( your shoes might get wet while walking across rivers).
  2. Swimming clothes and light towel or sarong
  3. Light, long sleeved clothing to wear during the day hike (best to wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty).
  4. A hat and sun protection.
  5. Insect repellent. Rain coat or poncho.
  6. Camera.

    7. For overnight tours add the following items:


  7.   A change of day clothes. Warm clothes and socks to wear at night.
  8.   A light sweater or jacket, long trousers and socks for cold nights.
  9.   Your transportation, guiding, lunch and water are all provided. You can bring additional snack foods

Do I need to book in advance? 


Yes, it is recommended to book in advance as we limit visitor group size to 14 persons dailyin order to minimize human impact on the sanctuary's local forest & wildlife.

Where do I book and how do I pay?

In order to be sure that we have availability - You can book your visit in advance by sending an online booking request. Payment will be made at the L.E.A.F office following your arrival in Sen Monorom.
We co-operate with The Nature Lodge in Sen Monorom and it is now also possible to arrange your visit at the Lodge. Our conservation tours are also included as a part of the Mondulkiri Eco-tourism Adventure packages.

Is elephant riding possible at the sanctuary ?


Elephant riding is not including in our visitor programs. When working elephants join our retirement program, they adjust to a living free of work, including tourist riding. Just like humans, each elephant has a different character and different likes & needs

We respect each elephant and do not force them to participate in visitor activities.
Some elephants are very friendly & sociable with visitors, others prefer seclution, in this case, they are observed & appreciated from a respectful distance.

Why are mahouts still riding some of the elephants ?
Our newcomers, especially Pon, the sanctuary male elephant, require more time to adjust to life away from work. They sometimes are ridden by their mahouts for safety while gaining confidence, adjust to their new lifestyle & herd members.

MONDULKIRI ELEPHANT & WILDIFE SANCTUARY

Ethical Elephant sanctuary | Consrvation tours | Sen Monorom, Mondulkiri Province, Cambodia

Get In Touch:

Office Tel: 011666983

Telegram:+85511666983

 info@mondulkirisanctuary.org
Location:Road #76, Sen Monorom, Mondulkiri

2022 News:

Projects

Elephant Sanctuary
Gibbon Project

Protected forest
Enviromental Education

Links

Sanctuary Visits

Mondulkiri Hotel

About Mondulkiri Province
Mondulkiri visitor map
Getting to Mondulkiri

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