Cambodia is a place where you can see elephants in their natural habitat. This makes it one of the best places in Asia to see these animals, especially a great elephant attraction for tourists and elephant lovers from all over the world.
There are many ways to see elephants in Cambodia. You can go on an elephant safari, take an elephant ride through the jungle, or even visit an elephant sanctuary where you can feed and care for these great animals.
There are several locations in Cambodia to meet with elephants. These are our the top three: Mondulkiri Province, Elephant Valley Project, and Mondulkiri Elephant and Wildlife Sanctuary.
Read on to see our top 6 places to see Elephants in Cambodia.
Do Wild Elephants Still Exist In Cambodia?
Yes, there are still wild elephants living in Cambodia! In fact, the population has been growing in recent years thanks to conservation efforts.
The best place to see wild elephants in Cambodia is Mondulkiri Province. This remote region is home to the largest herd of elephants in the country. You can go on safari here and even stay in a luxury tented camp.
If you want to get up close and personal with elephants, then head to the Elephant Valley Project. This sanctuary is home to rescued elephants that you can feed and interact with.
For a more hands-on experience, visit Mondulkiri Elephant and Wildlife Sanctuary. Here you can help care for elephants, going on walks with them and even bathing them in the river.
Our Top 6 Places to Visit to see Elephants in Cambodia
1. Mondulkiri Project
The Mondulkiri Project is an elephant sanctuary located in the Mondulkiri Province of Cambodia. Cambodia Elephant Rescue Organization (CERO) is currently managing this sanctuary.
Quick facts:
| Location: | https://g.page/mondulkiriproject |
| Homepage: | https://www.mondulkiriproject.org |
The project’s mission is to provide a haven for elephants that have been abused or abandoned and to educate the public about the importance of conservation.
The project provides food and shelter for the elephants, as well as veterinary care and enrichment activities. With over 20 captive elephants, the Mondulkiri elephants are also trained to participate in forest Patrols, where they help to detect poachers and illegal loggers.
In addition to its work with elephants, the Mondulkiri Project also runs a reforestation program and a school for local children.
The Mondulkiri Project is a powerful example of how humans can work together with animals to create a more sustainable future.
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2. Elephant Valley Project (EVP)
Cambodia’s Elephant Valley Project (EVP) is one of the best places to see elephants in the wild in Cambodia. As a result of decades of civil war and deforestation, elephants are as in many places in the world an endangered species.
Quick facts:
| Location: | https://g.page/ElephantValleyProject |
| Homepage: | https://elephantvalleyproject.org |
The EVP was established in 2001 to protect these majestic animals and provide a haven for them to roam free in a place that feels like their natural habitat. Visitors to the Elephant Valley Project can participate in elephant-watching tours, which provide an up-close and personal experience.
In addition, the EVP also offers education programs about the importance of conserving elephants and their habitat. This is a must-visit location if you are in Cambodia!
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3. Mondulkiri Elephant and Wildlife Sanctuary
Mondulkiri Elephant and Wildlife Sanctuary is a great place to visit to see elephants in Cambodia. Covering an area of over 4,000 hectares, this elephant sanctuary in Cambodia is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including elephants, gibbons, tigers, and leopards.
Quick facts:
| Location: | https://goo.gl/maps/sWdQXcPtUoyVix3U6 |
| Homepage: | https://mondulkirisanctuary.org |
The sanctuary was founded in 2007 to protect Cambodia’s elephants from extinction. Since then, it has become a popular destination for locals and tourists because of its expanding wildlife.
Visitors can participate in various activities, such as elephant-back rides and jungle treks. The sanctuary also offers educational programs about elephant conservation to raise awareness in the local community.
One of the best things to do at Mondulkiri Elephant and Wildlife Sanctuary is to take an elephant safari. This is a great way to see the elephants in their natural habitat and learn more about these amazing animals.
With its commitment to protecting elephants and other endangered species, Mondulkiri Elephant and Wildlife Sanctuary provides a positive outlook to the many previously abused elephants in Cambodia.
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4. Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center
Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center is home to more than 100 elephants, many of which have been rescued from the illegal wildlife trade. The center is located in the Takeo Province of Cambodia and was established in 1995.
Quick facts:
| Location: | https://goo.gl/maps/wrTS3JzK4XqwkpHw8 |
| Homepage: | https://phnomtamaozoologicalpark.com |
The Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center is committed to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing animals back into the wild. However, some of the elephants at the center are not able to be released back into the wild and instead live at the center for the rest of their lives.
Visitors to the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center can learn about the work that the center does to help elephants and other animals. There are also many opportunities to get up close and personal with the elephants, such as feeding them and taking elephant baths.
The sanctuary also offers elephant-assisted therapy for Khmer children with physical and mental disabilities.
The Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center is a great place to learn about elephants and the work that is being done to protect them.
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5. Kulen Elephant Forest
Kulen Elephant Forest is one of Cambodia’s best places to see elephants. The sanctuary is near Siem Reap, about a 40-minute drive from the city center.
Quick facts:
| Location: | https://goo.gl/maps/t33c215ZSurMsqX36 |
| Homepage: | https://www.kulenforest.asia |
The best time to visit the Kulen Elephant Forest is from November to February. The average temperature during this period is about 80 Fahrenheit (~27 degrees Celsius).
It covers an area of 100 hectares and is home to more than 50 elephants. The sanctuary offers a variety of activities such as elephant rides, painting with elephants, and feeding elephants.
There are also several educational activities for children, such as learning about elephant behavior and habitat. Children will also have the opportunity to play with baby elephants.
Moreover, The sanctuary has a strict no-hunting policy and works hard to protect the elephants from poachers. Might sound obvious, but unfortunately it is not common practise across Asia.
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6. Community Elephant Project
The Community Elephant Project (ECDP) provide the best care for sanctuary elephants in the region. They also engage local communities in developing relationships with the elephants. As a result, the project reduces human-elephant conflict. Please note, it seems that this great project is no longer available.
Quick facts:
| Location: | N/A |
| Homepage: | http://www.elephantcommunityproject.org |
This is important because elephants often raid crops and village homes in search of food. This can lead to dangerous confrontations between humans and elephants, highly increasing the risk for “wrongful deaths” of elephants.
The Community Elephant Project works with local communities to find creative solutions to this problem. For example, they have helped villages build “elephant-proof” fences around their crops.
The project also offers educational programs about elephants and their importance in the ecosystem. In addition, they work with law enforcement to crack down on illegal wildlife trade and poaching.
The focus is on education, including the importance of elephants to the environment and the need for their protection. The best way to see the elephants at the Community Elephant Projects is by taking a tour. Moreover, they recently adopted more elephants, which are now being pampered by them.
Guides lead the tours with intimate knowledge of the sanctuary and its elephants. They will provide you with information about the history of each elephant, as well as their current situation.
Tours typically last around two hours.
You will have an opportunity to feed and bathe the elephants. You will also have plenty of time to take photos and videos. From personal experience, this is an awesome place to visit in Cambodia!
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Other Places to see Elephants while in Asia:
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for an amazing elephant experience while in Cambodia, be sure to check out one of the best places to see elephants in mentioned above. Unless it was obvious already, the Community Elephant Project is one of my personal favorites.
The work they do for the local communities can not be underestimated. It really does make a difference in the conservation of elephants in Cambodia.
These sanctuaries provide a unique opportunity to see elephants up close and learn more about their conservation.
What are your thoughts? Have you been to any of these places? Or do you have a recommendation for somewhere else to see elephants in Cambodia? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions about Visiting Elephants in Cambodia
Cambodia has around 400 to 600 wild elephants, which are mostly found in the cardamos mountains in the south-eastern part of the country and in Mondulkiri province’s eastern plains.
The best time to see elephants in Cambodia is from November to February. This is when the weather is cooler and the elephants are more active.
You can do elephant riding in Cambodia, as elephant ride is legal in Cambodia. There are several places where you can ride an elephant in Cambodia.
Some of the best places to ride elephants are Kulen Elephant Forest, Mondulkiri Elephant and Wildlife Sanctuary, and Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center.
The best place to see elephants in Cambodia is Kulen Elephant Forest. The sanctuary is home to more than 50 elephants and offers a variety of activities such as elephant rides, painting with elephants, and feeding elephants.
There are also several educational activities for children, such as learning about elephant behavior and habitat.
Yes, you can legally pet an elephant in Cambodia. There are many peoples in Cambodia, who owns elephants. Elephant owners are generally very conscious about their wild elephant.
There are several places where you can pet an elephant in Cambodia. Some of the best places to pet elephants are Kulen Elephant Forest, Mondulkiri Elephant and Wildlife Sanctuary, and Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center.
