Each of Shinta Mani Wild’s 15 luxury tents is surrounded by dense forest. They are far enough from each other that guests feel they are alone in the jungle. FB
A tour party of journalists and tourism industry insiders were recently granted a look behind the scenes of one of the Kingdom’s most exclusive resorts. More importantly, they discovered some of the ways the management of the site are contributing to the sustainable development of the Kingdom’s wild spaces.
Evidence seized from illegal logging activities in the Cardamom Mountain region are proudly displayed at Shinta Mani Wild, an exclusive VIP eco-resort in the jungles of Preah Sihanouk province.
Popular with well-to-do domestic and international “glampers” – with accommodation reaching over $3,000 per night for a couple – the resort is located in the Thmor Roung Natural Tourism Area of Prey Prasith Village, in Kampong Seila district’s Bak Roteh commune.
The area is part of Cambodia’s Sustainable Landscape and Ecotourism Project (2020–2027), partially funded by a World Bank loan.
To publicise the green tourism potential of the Cardamom Mountains National Park and surrounding wildlife sanctuaries, the Ministry of Environment organised an April 2 to 5 “Familiarisation Trip” (FAM) for more than 50 journalists and private sector representatives.
Pak Sokharavuth , undersecretary of state at the ministry, explained that the development of the area is in line with the ministry’s Circular Strategy on Environment (2023-2028), as well as phase one of the seventh-mandate government’s Pentagonal Strategy, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
A display of traps and snares seized in the Cardamom Mountains and paintings of elephants welcome visitors to Shinta Mani Wild Resort. Phak Seangly
“Because we have preserved so much of the forest here, it has huge ‘green tourism’ potential. This is why it is important that we all promote it and attract more guests to our beautiful Cambodia,” he said.
The trip aimed to study opportunities for ecotourism development while fostering collaboration between government institutions, the private sector and local communities. It also sought to promote policies, guidelines, and ethical standards for sustainable tourism in protected areas and share knowledge of green tourism initiatives.
Participants had the unique opportunity to experience firsthand the pristine and rare natural beauty of protected areas.
On the first day of the FAM, participants explored Shinta Mani Wild. More than a VIP-level jungle resort, the owners are actively engaged in forest, wildlife and natural resource conservation across its 300-hectare territory.
The resort contributes to conservation efforts by providing funding to the Wildlife Alliance (WA), an environmental NGO.
Employees of the facility guided visitors through the site. They acknowledged that the cost of staying at Shinta Mani Wild is high when compared to some local businesses, but emphasised the resort’s contributions to the protection of forests, wildlife and biodiversity.
Seized evidence from illegal logging activities, including animal traps and snares, are displayed prominently at the resort, alongside artwork which depicts elephants and other local wildlife.
A nearby exhibit offers updated statistics on confiscated materials, such as tens of thousands of cubic metres of illegally logged timber, snares and chainsaws and other logging equipment.
Wildlife Alliance founder Suwanna Gauntlett and a park ranger pose for a photo with chainsaws that were seized from illegal loggers in the Cardamom Mountains. Wildlife Alliance
Despite having only 15 luxury tents for guests, the resort employs more than 100 local residents, including the award-winning “Adventure Butlers”, personal assistants that will accompany guests on each of the activities they select for their all-inclusive stay. This includes picnics, boat cruises, ziplining through the treetops and or joining the Wildlife Alliance on an anti-poaching patrol.
In this way, guests gain a hands-on understanding of the vital work that the resort supports.
The Wildlife Alliance is also a key partner in plans for the reintroduction of tigers to the Cardamoms, and secured the endorsement of then-Prime Minister Hun Sen in 2017.
Perhaps, in the coming years, the relaxing chirping of birds and whistling of the wind through the trees at Shinta Mani Wild will be drowned out by the distant roars of the “King of the Jungle”? With more than two decades of experience caring for the Kingdom’s natural resources, it would be a mistake to bet against it.
