Mondulkiri★★★
Mondulkiri — The Land of Elephants
Mondulkiri is Cambodia's largest and least populated province — on an area larger than Schleswig-Holstein, only 90,000 people live. The landscape is unlike anywhere else in Cambodia: Instead of flat rice fields, you find a hilly plateau (600–900 m) with pine forests, grasslands, waterfalls, and dense tropical forest.
The provincial capital Sen Monorom (approx. 10,000 inhabitants) is a sleepy village with a natural lake in the middle, dusty streets, and a handful of guesthouses and restaurants. It is the perfect starting point for elephant projects and jungle tours.
Elephant Projects — Ethical and Unforgettable
Mondulkiri is the center of ethical elephant tourism in Cambodia. Several projects offer the opportunity to encounter rescued working elephants in their natural environment — without riding, without chains, without tricks.
Elephant Valley Project (EVP)
The most well-known and reputable project in Cambodia. The EVP has repurchased a 1,500-hectare forest area from loggers and offers rescued working elephants a life in freedom. Visitors hike with a guide through the forest and observe the elephants in their natural activities — feeding, bathing, mud bathing, socializing.
- Day Visit: 75 USD/person (incl. transport from Sen Monorom, lunch, English-speaking guide, hike with elephant observation)
- 2-Day Program: 120 USD (overnight in the jungle camp, deeper forest experience)
- Booking: Required in advance online (elephantvalleyproject.org) — often booked out 2–3 days in advance!
Other Projects
- Mondulkiri Project: Similar concept to EVP, slightly cheaper (55 USD/day). Less known, therefore fewer visitors.
- Bunong Elephant Project: Run by the indigenous Bunong community. Authentic, personal, smaller groups.
Bou Sra Waterfall
The largest waterfall in Cambodia — two tiers: the upper (12 m) and the lower (25 m). 35 km east of Sen Monorom on a partly unpaved road. Spectacular in the rainy season, less impressive in the dry season. Entrance: 1 USD. Tuk-Tuk: 15–20 USD return.
Bunong Indigenous People
The Bunong (Pnong) are the largest indigenous minority in Cambodia and the original inhabitants of Mondulkiri. They live in traditional longhouses, practice animism, and have had a close relationship with elephants (as working animals) for centuries. Some villages can be visited — best with a local guide who speaks the language and can mediate culturally. Respectful behavior is a given.
💡 Tipp
Book the Elephant Valley Project AT LEAST 3 days in advance online — it is often fully booked, especially in the high season (Nov–Feb). The 75 USD is worth every cent: 6 hours in the jungle, elephants up close, lunch, and a guide who passionately talks about the animals. No riding, no circus — this is how elephant tourism should be.
Achtung
Avoid providers that offer elephant riding, bathing with elephants in groups, or "elephant care experiences" with chains and hooks. This is NOT ethical tourism, even if advertised as such. The EVP and the Mondulkiri Project are the only projects recommended by animal welfare organizations.
