Tour highlights & benefits:

• Spend a day at the working elephant rescue forest sanctuary, hike through local forest & natural habitats.
• Contribute to working elephants rehabilitation & community based conservation project in Mondulkiri.
• Ethical wildlife program: Observe free elephants naturally, (no preforming tricks or elephant riding).
• Learn about Mondulkiri’s unique indigenous culture and traditions and visit an indigenous Village.
• Lunch break at the Sanctuary base camp with swimming at a rainforest river.
• Spend a day at the Gibbon Jungle of Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary (KSWS), hike through primary growth in the Seima Protected Forest, observing wild animals in natural habitats such as Gibbon, Black-Shanked Douc monkey, Possum, Great Hornbill bird plus many others!
• Contribute to the rehabilitation of endangered wildlife & community based conservation projects in Mondulkiri.
• Overnight at Bunong homestay, dinner eating traditional hill tribe food and rice win / sleeping in hammocks / tent in the jungle with camp fire.

Full Itinerary

DAY 1 : ELEPHANT TOUR ITINERARY

Please note occasionally, this schedule may change in case of extreme weather conditions, emergency or other unusual circumstance.

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 for a local specialty lunch at the sanctuary visitor hut, afterwards you can enjoy relaxing hammock time, while taking in the surrounding wild jungle views. This is an excellent opportunity to look local birds & other wildlife in this area.

2:00 – 3:30pm: 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 in order to keep an elephant’s skin moist, protected, and healthy).

3:30pm – 4:30pm: Say “Goodbye” to the elephants, walk back up hill top and drive to Putang village for your Bunong homestay.

4:30pm Onwards

After arriving at the village, clean, wash then time to walk around village area, visit and learn about the local Bunong life. You will have dinner at 6:30pm with the family, having some rice win and sleep.

DAY 2 : ELEPHANT TOUR ITINERARY:

5:15am – 11:30 am: Wake up then be ready to head to the Seima Forest 35km, (about 40 mins from your homestay).
A Morning hike through the Seima Protected Forest & animal discovery walk.

Arriving at the ‘Seima Protected Forest’, meet your Bunong local Ranger and begin the day with a short scenic hike into the rain forest. Listening to Gibbon voice, following and having the chance to potentially observe a rare viewing to see them in wild. You take a break for a small breakfast of bread, fruit and then continue to explore other animals and the nature around you. There is also a chance to spot birds, insects, and rare flora and fauna on the hike.

11:30am – 1:30pm: Lunch by a scenic spot in the jungle:

Time for a lunch picnic by a scenic spot in the jungle. While enjoying lunch and relax, there is also a fair chance to spot birds & other wildlife in this area.

1:30pm – 3:30pm: Afternoon trek through the jungle:

After lunch, you continue your trek through the jungle to continue to observe the wildlife and jungle scenery. Your local guide will show you bats living inside the tree holes and bear print climbed up on tree. Trek through a stunning bamboo forest and head back to the drop off point. You will dry head back to Sen monorom.

Additional | Useful Information

Occasionally, this schedule may change in case of extreme weather conditions, emergency or other unusual circumstance.

Things to Bring

• Comfortable footwear for hiking (shoes might get wet during river crossings).
• Swimming costumes and towel or sarong.
• Binoculars
• Light, long sleeved cloths to wear during the day (clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty).
• A hat and sun cream/protection.
• Insect repellent.
• Rain coat or poncho.
• Lunch is included, however you may bring additional snacks.