Cambodia’s Cardamom Mountains are drawing travellers towards rainforest stays, river journeys, wildlife experiences and conservation-focused tourism. Across destinations including Botum Sakor National Park and Chi Phat, visitors can experience the forest through guided activities and community-based tourism rather than conventional resort holidays. Cardamom Tented Camp –
The Cardamom region spans a major rainforest landscape in southwestern Cambodia, with tourism programmes connecting visitors with rivers, forests, wildlife and communities. Existing experiences include Cardamom Tented Camp in Botum Sakor National Park and community-based ecotourism in Chi Phat. Cardamom Tented Camp –
Botum Sakor Brings Rainforest Travel Into Focus
Cardamom Tented Camp has operated in Botum Sakor National Park since November 2017. The low-impact property has nine tented accommodations and operates through a conservation-focused model involving Minor Hotels, YAANA Ventures and Wildlife Alliance. Cardamom Tented Camp –
The camp’s location places visitors close to the Preak Tachan River and the surrounding rainforest. Accommodation is combined with guided outdoor activities, allowing travellers to build a multi-day itinerary around nature rather than simply using the area as a stopover. Cardamom Tented Camp –
The tourism operation also contributes to conservation work. According to the camp, 5% of its earnings are directed towards Wildlife Alliance conservation efforts, while additional profits are reinvested locally. Cardamom Tented Camp –
River Adventures and Wildlife Encounters
The Preak Tachan River forms an important part of the visitor experience. Travellers can kayak along the waterway, while guided jungle walks provide access to forest trails around the camp. Cardamom Tented Camp –
A night boat safari offers another way to explore the area, with visitors travelling after dark to look for nocturnal wildlife. Birdwatching is also available, with the surrounding habitat supporting species including kingfishers, Woolly-necked Storks and Lesser Adjutants. Cardamom Tented Camp –
For visitors seeking an additional activity, the camp operates a river zipline crossing the Preak Tachan River. Unlike the unverified claims surrounding a proposed luxury canopy network elsewhere in the Cardamoms, this zipline is an existing activity listed by the camp. Cardamom Tented Camp –
Conservation Becomes Part of the Travel Experience
Tourism at Cardamom Tented Camp includes opportunities to participate in conservation activities. Guests can help with camera-trap work and join forest rangers on patrols when staying for longer periods. Cardamom Tented Camp –
The model links accommodation with the protection of the surrounding forest. Wildlife Alliance says its rangers conduct year-round patrols across the Cardamom Rainforest Landscape, using ground, water and aerial surveillance to protect forests and wildlife. Wildlife Alliance
For travellers, this creates an itinerary where hiking, kayaking and wildlife observation can sit alongside practical conservation activities.
Chi Phat Adds Community-Based Ecotourism
Chi Phat offers another established route into the Cardamom landscape. Wildlife Alliance describes the destination as a community-based ecotourism project in the southwestern Cardamom Mountain range, surrounded by mountains, rivers, rainforests, wetlands and mangroves. Wildlife Alliance
Visitors can access nature-based experiences while tourism services create opportunities for local communities. Wildlife Alliance’s programmes include community guides and tourism-related services designed to connect livelihoods with forest protection. Wildlife Alliance
The wider Cardamom tourism network therefore extends beyond a single lodge, giving visitors different ways to explore the rainforest according to their interests and available time.
Planning a Cardamom Rainforest Journey
Getting to Cardamom Tented Camp involves a road journey followed by a boat transfer. The camp provides transfer options from Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Kampot, Kep and locations near the Thai border. Cardamom Tented Camp –
Travellers making their own way can reach the departure point at Trapeang Rung village before continuing by boat for approximately one hour through the tropical landscape to the camp. Cardamom Tented Camp –
This makes the Cardamoms better suited to travellers planning several days rather than a quick city excursion. Accommodation packages currently include multi-night options combining stays with activities such as trekking, kayaking, tubing and ziplining. Cardamom Tented Camp –
A Tourism Model Built Around the Forest
Cambodia’s Cardamom Mountains already have an established tourism infrastructure centred on conservation, community participation and rainforest exploration. Botum Sakor offers tented accommodation and river-based adventures, while Chi Phat provides community-based experiences within the wider Cardamom landscape. Cardamom Tented Camp –
As of September 2026, publicly available information does not establish a new network of ultra-luxurious canopy pavilions inside Southern Cardamom National Park or a new exclusive zipline-accessed luxury site of that description. Existing tourism products instead show a developing nature-travel model built around low-impact accommodation, guided exploration, wildlife observation and conservation participation.
