1-Day Mondulkiri Eco-friendly Elephant Project Experience

A full fun-packed day in the jungle with elephants at the Bunong Elephant Project’s elephant sanctuary, an opportunity to spend time with our majestic friendly Bunong elephants and to enjoy the rich flora and fauna jungle surroundings. It strives to provide tours and elephant encounters that are ethical both to the welfare of the animals and to the indigenous communities here in Mondulkiri. In our elephant experience, visitors do not ride the elephants but do get to walk with them in the jungle, feed them by hand, and bathe them in the river. This kind of elephant encounter is very enjoyable and allows visitors to experience elephants being elephants in their natural habitat!

Please note that occasionally this schedule may change in case of extreme weather conditions or other unusual circumstances.

8.30am – 9.00am Introduction & Transport

Meet at your guesthouse in Sen Monorom, for an introductory talk. We will then head south to the Elephant Sanctuary Forest (12km, about 20 minutes from Sen Monorom). The drive offers lovely views over the community forests our project is helping protect.

9.00am – 12.00pm
Morning hike through the Sanctuary’s rainforest & elephant discovery walk. We begin with a short scenic hike into the valley. Before meeting the elephants, our guide, will explain the project goals & the importance of protecting Mondulkiri’s wildlife & habitats.

Next, we’ll meet, greet, feed and follow the elephants & their mahouts (elephant care takers) as they freely walk and eat in the jungle. We will follow them to observe the elephants’ natural behaviors for example the way in which they consume bamboo, grasses and different plant roots as natural medicine. This is an ideal opportunity to take lots of photos of the elephants enjoying life in their natural environment.

12.00 – 2.00pm Lunch at the visitor hut:

Time to hike to the Sanctuary’s visitor hut, which is located by the river to enjoy a local Khmerlunch. Following lunch, you can relax in a hammock while enjoying the wild jungle views. It may be possible to spot birds & other wildlife in this area.

2:00 – 3:00 Elephant bath & water fun:

In the afternoon, we hike back into the forest & make our way to the Sanctuary’s natural river pool. The mahouts will slowly walk the elephants into the water, for their

daily shower & mud bath. The elephants love grooming each other, scratching against trees and playing in the mud. Swimming with the elephants is an unforgettable experience and can be messy!

Mud coating is important to keep an elephant’s skin moist, protected, and healthy.

3:00 – 4.00pm

After saying goodbye to the elephants & the Sanctuary team, you will hike out of the forest back to the truck and drive to the Bunong minority village (Putang). Once at the village, you will receive a warm welcome by the villagers and are free to walk around the Bunong traditional houses to gain an insight into their village life. Your tour leader will explain, translate and help answer all the questions you may have related to the Bunong people. After the village visit, we will head back to Sen Monorom.