Things to do in Mondulkiri (waterfalls and trekking edition)
Sen Monorom, the capital of Mondulkiri province in the north east of Cambodia, is the perfect off-the-beaten-track destination. Sen Monorom has something for everyone: families, tourists looking for an outdoors experience, animal lovers, adventure types, and hobbyists interested in gemstones and traditional textiles. Oh, and did we mention the waterfalls?
Elephants are clearly the must-see attraction, but Mondulkiri’s beautiful rolling hills with dry and wet sub-tropical forests, and plethora of gushing waterfalls are also worth a visit. Here’s some things you can do and see, using Sen Monorom as a base for exploring Mondulkiri:
Bousra Waterfall
The largest, highest and most popular waterfall in the area is Bousra. Not only is it popular with foreign tourists, but Cambodian families also make a point to visit this unique and powerful waterfall and set out a picnic lunch to enjoy the spray and scenery. The path leads to the base of one large fall with a pool, and a short stream to the next waterfall (which in dry season you can climb down on the giant boulders to explore). You can put your feet in the upper pool, but be warned, the current is very strong and we definitely don’t recommend trying to take a swim in wet season. Bousra Waterfall is a fairly straightforward 45 to 60 minute drive on paved roads from Sen Monorom if you want to rent a motorbike. Parking costs 2,000 riel.
Monorom Waterfall
This is one of the only other waterfalls around Sen Monorom that you can easily get to on a motorcycle and without a guide. Monorom Waterfall also tends to be less crowded than the very popular Bousra, even though Monorom is closer to Sen Monorom town. It has only one nice broad major fall, but the current is still pretty strong during wet season. There is no food for sale here most of the time, and no parking attendant to watch your motorcycle, so come prepared.
The Sea Forest
About 20 km out of town, the Sea Forest is a favorite spot of Max and André, our jungle experts. The hill gives a great perspective on the surrounding countryside, and it is quite peaceful (when there aren’t too many other tourists) to just sit back and contemplate the layers of blue that fade into the late afternoon sky. Don’t expect too much to be going on here, it’s just a nice panorama view with parking.
Guided treks
If the prospect of navigating your way around by motorbike does not appeal, or you want to delve deeper into the forests, or see some Bunong villages and learn about the culture of the indigenous people of Northeast Cambodia, guided treks are an excellent and accessible option. Treks can be organized at various guesthouses and places in town, and can last from half a day up to two or three days. We particularly recommend checking out the eco-tourism treks advertised in Hefalump Cafe; they also procure local handicrafts to sell, with all proceeds going back to the villages that produce them.
You can also organize treks or meals at the Bunong Place, or arrange a trek and homestay with local Bunong guide Vanny and his family through the Mondulkiri Ethnic Project. Greenhouse Restaurant and Nature Lodge also have full and half-day trekking that usually can be arranged without too much notice except in the very worst parts of high season.
Wondering how to get there? Read our guide on how to get to Sen Monorom and Mondulkiri from Phnom Penh.
- Elephant tour
Welcome to the Mondulkiri Project.
My name is Mr Tree. I have signed an agreement with Bunong indigenous elders to rent a large area of forest close to Sen Monorom to protect it from logging. This area is now an award winning elephant sanctuary. I hope you will come and visit the 5 elephants living at the Mondulkiri Project. We offer one and two day elephant tours.
Unlike other nearby sanctuaries the Mondulkiri Project is not owned by a foreigner. We empower locals by providing them with jobs at our sanctuary. We do not believe in having Western tour guides or Western volunteers taking paid work opportunities away from locals.
We are a registered Cambodian NGO. Your tour money is used to protect forests for our elephant sanctuary. Money is also used to buy and rent elephants so they can live at our sanctuary and be kept away from elephant rides and heavy farm work. Our NGO also funds wild elephant protection and supports the local Bunong hill tribes with employment, medicine and food donations.
Elephant Tours
One and two day Elephant Adventure and Jungle trekking tours within the Mondulkiri Project give you the opportunity to experience a beautiful jungle a short drive away from Sen Monorom. Wild rivers, waterfalls, swimming holes, elephants, wild animals and birds are all waiting for you.
On our tours you will get to feed 5 elephants and follow them as they walk through the forest eating bamboo. A highlight of your tour will be swimming at a waterfall and helping to wash our elephants there. We do not allow tourists or our mahouts to ride the elephants or sit on them when they are being washed.
The 5 elephants at our Sanctuary spend all their time in our protected forest. They will never again have tourists riding on seats on their backs or be used for heavy farm work. Some locals offer cheaper tours but only rent elephants on the days when there are customers. Unfortunately these elephants are also still used for elephant rides.
Our elephant tours are lead by an english speaking guide who has extensive knowledge about the elephants you will see and the traditions and customs of the hill tribe people who live within the forests. We only employ Bunong guides for our overnight jungle tours. They are experts at living in the jungle.
You will need to be in Sen Monorom the night before your visit date as we meet in town at 8.20am. Our tours finish around 4.30pm.
The Mondulkiri Project currently offers two elephant tour options:
- 1 Day Elephant Adventure Tour ($50 per person)
- 2 Day Elephant Adventure & Jungle Trek Tour ($80 per person – only the first day is spent with elephants)
1 Day Elephant Adventure Tour
A fun day in the jungle with 5 elephants at the Mondulkiri Project’s elephant sanctuary
(8.30am to 4.30pm, 7 days a week)
Cost = $50 per person
Tour Includes:
- Pick up from Sen Monorom, with transport to and from the Mondulkiri Project’s elephant sanctuary.
- Hand feeding and observing 5 elephants as they walk through the jungle.
- Waterfall swimming and washing of elephants.
- Learning about elephants and local hill tribe traditions and culture
- Delicious Khmer lunch, relaxing and wildlife watching at our Jungle Lodge
- Unlimited bottled water
hike level: easy (more difficult in wet season)
group size: 1 to 20 guests
Our Community
The Mondulkiri Project supports a growing community. We currently have six elephants living full time in our sanctuary away from elephant rides and hard physical work. Our community also includes residents of the Putang and Oriang Bunong hill tribe villages. They are employed as mahouts or jungle guides at the Mondulkiri Project.
The Mondulkiri Project’s protected forest is not only home to our elephant sanctuary but also contains many important trees and plants used to make income and food for the local Bunong people.
The Mondulkiri Project is managed by the Cambodia Elephant Rescue Organization, a registered Cambodian ngo.
Princess |
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Lucky |
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Comvine |
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Sophie |
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Happy |
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Kwert - Mahout for Sophie |
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Loyin - Mahout for Lucky |
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Pukpey - Mahout for Combine |
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Duong - Jungle Guide |
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Lar - Jungle Guide |
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Om Sou Ann - Jungle Lodge Manager |
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Putang & Oriang Villages |
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Protected Forest |
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Resin Trees |
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Wild Honey |
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Forest Herbs & Medicine |
Camping in Mondulkiri Province
In Cambodia's "wild east" and stay amongst the beautiful jungle, wildlife and local people. Embark on an adventure on one of our tours. Stay in our simple yet natural bungalows with hot showers. Or just sip a beer on our terrace enjoying the sunset. With a variety of offerings to choose from, we’re sure you’ll be happy staying with us. We can't wait to meet you!