Cambodia – Elephant Sanctuary & Forest Conservation

This project takes place in Cambodia’s most sparsely populated eastern province of Mondulkiri. “Mondulkiri” is Cambodian for “Meeting of the Hills” and the region is characterized by its rolling hills, lush landscape and thundering waterfalls. The province capital is Sen Monorom, also the only official town of the province, while the rest of Mondulkiri comprises natural forest, including three large protected areas.

Overview of the Sanctuary

This ethical elephant sanctuary in Cambodia is dedicated to the welfare of retired elephants and the conservation of their natural forest habitat. Spanning 1,500 hectares (3,700 acres) of natural forest, the sanctuary provides a home for 12 full-time elephants who have been rescued from abuse or harsh working conditions. These elephants live freely, without being subjected to traditional tourist activities such as riding, bathing, or performing. The sanctuary’s mission is to allow these elephants to live as close to wild as possible while protecting their forest home.

Your Role as a Volunteer

As a volunteer, you will be an integral part of this project, contributing to the care of the elephants and the conservation of their environment. Your first few days will serve as an induction period where you’ll learn about the project, meet the elephants, and gain insights into the forest, the local community, and the conservation efforts. By the end of your first week, you’ll start combining elephant observations with lessons on elephant health, welfare, and their cultural importance to the local Indigenous population.

While you will not work directly with the elephants, you will play a vital role in supporting the sanctuary’s operations. Your efforts will help ensure that the elephants remain healthy and well-cared for, while also contributing to the broader mission of forest conservation and community support.

Volunteer Tasks

Your volunteer tasks will vary depending on the season and the needs of the sanctuary at the time of your stay. These tasks may include:

• Growing supplementary food for the elephants, such as bamboo
• Reforestation work, planting endangered tree species in the community forest
• Construction and maintenance projects, including building bridges, maintaining trails, and elephant treatment area maintenance
• Helping with the maintenance of the sanctuary’s facilities, including the elephant hospital
• Trekking 5-7 kilometers per day to find and observe elephants in their natural habitat
• Participating in research programs related to the elephants and their forest environment
• Monitoring the forest and wildlife to help protect the local ecosystem

Typical Day as a Volunteer

A typical day at the sanctuary begins at 7:00 AM with breakfast served in the group dining room. At 8:00 AM, volunteers will either head out to observe the elephants in the forest or participate in hands-on tasks, depending on the schedule. Hiking up to seven kilometers per day on challenging terrain is common, so physical preparedness is important.

Lunch is served buffet-style, followed by a long break to relax. The afternoon may consist of further elephant observations or more volunteer tasks. Evenings are free for relaxation, and dinner is always a highlight, featuring delicious local dishes.

Contribution and Impact

By volunteering at this sanctuary, you will not only help to care for the elephants and preserve their forest habitat but also contribute to the wellbeing of the local Indigenous community. The project provides vital jobs, healthcare, and veterinary care for both the local population and the elephants, ensuring the sustainability of this important conservation effort.

At the end of your program, you will leave with a deep understanding of Asian elephants, their health and wellbeing, and the critical role they play in local culture and conservation. You will have made a tangible difference in their lives and become a true advocate for elephant conservation.

Internet: There are Internet cafes in town, but please note that there is no internet or cell phone reception at the project or accommodations – volunteers should be sure to advise family and friends that you will be out of contact during your stay at the sanctuary during the week.

Laundry: Laundry service is included onsite at the sanctuary.

Accommodations:

• Accommodation in Phnom Penh: Volunteers will be placed in single hotel rooms in Phnom Penh on the Saturday of their arrival and be transferred to the project on Sunday.
• Accommodation at the sanctuary: From Sunday until Friday afternoon, volunteers will stay in a mixed-gender, shared dorm on the sanctuary site overlooking the beautiful forest. Accommodations have been built mostly with recycled materials. Volunteers have the option to upgrade to private bungalows with en suite bathrooms for additional fees. Please note there are only four private bungalows on-site.
• Accommodation on the weekends: On Friday evening, volunteers will be placed in single rooms at a hostel in Sen Monorom.

Food: All meals from dinner on the first Saturday in Phnom Penh until the following Friday lunch onsite the sanctuary are provided. Friday night dinner is not included, allowing the volunteers to choose where you have dinner in town on your return. Meals often include meat and vegetable dishes, but may vary from season to season. Vegetarian, vegan and special diets can be accommodated onsite at the sanctuary. For volunteers staying longer than one week, all meals over the free time on the weekend at the volunteers’ own cost.

Please note this project’s minimum requirements:

• Basic level of English
• ​Moderate to a high level of physical fitness. This program is based in the jungle in a remote area which requires 4-10 km of hiking per day
• Because of the remote location of this program, we will ask applicants with medical conditions or who are above the age of 60 to complete a standard doctor’s form
• National police background check

Mondulkiri is an ideal location for volunteers who enjoy sightseeing and embracing nature. The rolling hills of the province provide a delightful, scenic view that is complemented by the many waterfalls of the province. If volunteers stay for two weeks or more, you will have free time on the weekend to explore some of this beautiful province. A few suggested travel highlights for the Mondulkiri area are:

Bou Sra Waterfall
The Bou Sra Waterfall comprises three magnificent falls that create a pool and is a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike. The site is also home to one of the highest ziplines in Cambodia. Take a swim in the falls pool and then zipline through the Cambodian jungle for a thrilling experience!

Phnom Doh Krokom Pagoda & the Sea Forest
There are several lookout points around the town, for an amazing view of the sunset over Sen Monorom and the “sea forest,” take a trip to the Phnom Doh Krokom Pagoda. This is a popular destination for sightseeing as it overlooks the region’s rolling hills.

Responsible Tourism Day Projects:

Jahoo Gibbon Camp
The community-based ecotourism initiative is a joint venture between the indigenous Bunong village of Andong Kralong and the Sam Veasna Center for Wildlife Conservation (SVC), where visitors have the chance to see yellow-cheeked crested gibbons and black-shanked douc langurs, as well as rare bird species.