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. Where do I book and how do I pay?
  4. Do I need to book in advance?
  5. Is elephant riding possible ?
  6. What to pack in preparation for treks & elephant visits?

1. 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.

2. 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 more than 21 local personnel, office staff, sanctuary staff, drivers and guides.
  4. SUPPORT LOCAL LEADERSHIP - The LEAF staff & team are all dedicated local residents of Mondulkiri, working on local wages. Our Western project advisors & assistants are all unpaid volunteers. Other sanctuaries in Mondulkiri, were established by, and seem to be permanantly managed by westerners, with no staff rotation over the past 12 years. Our vision is: to support, train & empower people locally.
  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.

3. 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 & with Happy elephant bungalows in Sen Monorom and it is now also possible to arrange your visit with their staff.
Our conservation tours are also included as a part of the Mondulkiri Eco-tourism Adventure packages.

4. 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.

5. Is elephant riding possible at the sanctuary ?


Elephant riding is NOT included in our visitor programs.
When working elephants join our retirement program, they adjust to a living free of work, including giving tourist rides.

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 & enjoy being sociable with visitors, others prefer seclution, in this case, they are observed & appreciated from a respectful distance.

Why are sanctuary 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.

6. What you need to bring on sanctuary tours - Pack list for day treks and overnight 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

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MONDULKIRI ELEPHANT & WILDIFE SANCTUARY

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

Get In Touch:

Office Tel: 097 659 1101

Mobile:097 816 2770

 info@mondulkirisanctuary.org
Office Address:Road #76, Sen Monorom, Mondulkiri, Cambodia, Map coordinates

Project News:

About LEAF
LEAF Team

Elephant Sanctuary

Protected forest
Enviromental Education

Links:

Sanctuary Visits

Mondulkiri trekking programs

About Mondulkiri Province
Mondulkiri visitor map
Getting to Mondulkiri

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