Cardamom Tented Camp — Hotel in Koh Kong

My wife and I stayed here for 3 nights in late November, ‘24. This well-managed camp is a model of ecotourism and conservation-minded facilities. It generates its own electricity via solar panels, has its own sewage disposal system that is engineered to have minimal impact, its own water filtration system, and nearly everything is recycled. All profits from the camp are directed to conservation programs in the area, for example to fund salaries for several enforcement rangers who have dramatically reduced poaching and encroachment.||For most visitors, reaching the camp is difficult and time-consuming, We arrived at Sihanoukville Airport and transferred by land to a wharf on the Prak Tachan river, then travelled by launch to the camp. It was a four-hour bumpy ride overland and another hour by boat. The effort was worth it, however, and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. We booked three nights whereas most people do just two, We were very happy with our decision, given the investment to reach the camp. Also, staying for three nights gave us two full days of guided activities, whereas the usual 2-night program allows only one. The timing of our stay meant that during our 2nd day we pretty much had the guide to ourselves and visited areas most people do not see. Don’t expect an African safari level of wildlife viewing – sadly, many of the animals have been poached. But your visit is helping to reverse that or at least slow it, and it is a good opportunity to learn how an ecosystem responds and adapts to modern pressures.||Our tent was large and well appointed, with an adjoining bathroom area with vanity, shower, and toilet. It was comfortable, given the conditions and considering the unique location, The weather was quite warm during our November visit but we managed with the ceiling and floor fans provided. Meals were served in the open air restaurant near the river, and this space also housed a bar and lounge area. The bar doubled as the reception/front desk. River activities left from the dock below the restaurant, which also provided a number of chaise lounges and umbrellas for relaxing by the river. The food at the camp was good but clearly tailored to be appealing to a wide range of nationalities and ages. Beer and wine were available for an additional charge, including a special beer (Cardamon Mountain) developed by the manager that was very good. All profits go to conservation causes.||The staff at the camp was a delightful group of young men led by the long-time manager, Alan, who was an accomplished wildlife photographer and conservationist. Everyone was friendly, helpful, and very competent, particularly the two main guides who led the canoe and hiking trips. Everyone was also very clearly dedicated to the cause of conservation. ||All in all, this was one of the highlights of our visit to Cambodia, We recommend it...

When I had decided I wanted to venture into the Cardamom Mountains solo, I really tried to choose an adventure that would be safe and still give me the experience I was looking for. I wanted to disconnect and feel immersed in the jungle, but still have some support/structure.

Cardamom Tented Camp absolutely exceeded my expectations. I took a bus from Sihanoukville to Koh Kong (getting off at Trapeang Rung, rather than taking the bus all the way) and found myself waiting at a small restaurant in the rain. There I was picked up by a friendly staff member and taken to the dock, where I boarded a small boat that would take me 45 minutes up river to the campsite. I was greeted at the camp by a beautiful little dock on the side of the river, and a short walk up to a gorgeous dining room.

The campsite was empty save for me during my first night. It was a bit scary to trek out to the tent by myself in the jungle, and it was difficult to sleep knowing I was far away from the staff and alone out there. But, the campsite is incredible - the tents are amazing and incredibly luxurious for being out in the middle of the jungle. Comfortable bed, running water in the shower, western toilet, fresh towels and plenty of space to dry clothes, a desk to write at... A dream!

The food was absolutely delicious throughout my stay, the staff were super friendly. I found myself feeling very relaxed, spending the majority of my time reading and hanging out in the hammock. I really enjoyed our day excursion: kayaking 4km up the river, and trekking back to the campsite through the jungle. I also tried out the 75m zip line across the river (several times), tanned on the dock, swam in the river near the campsite, and kayaked solo for several hours. The staff were very generous with their conversation and company when I was the only traveller at the campsite.

Save for the leeches on the walk (which can be easily removed with a little bug spray), and the stress of ensuring that I got on the right bus back to Phnom Penh from the small village of Trapping Rung (I would recommend booking a ticket on Vireak Buntham) - this was a fabulous trip and I will certainly return with family and friends if I get the chance. It was one of the more expensive excursions of my 5 weeks of travel in Southeast Asia - but it felt well worth it for the quality care of the staff members, the high quality food, the scenery, the clean tent, and the contribution to eco-tourism/conservation work in the area. Be sure to bring some long pants and socks as leech protection and plenty...

We had travelled to Cardamom Tented Camp on an Explorer package for 3 nights and 4 days in mid-December.

Allan Michaud, a wildlife photographer and filmmaker is the camp manager, and he picked us up at the ferry pier for the half hour boat journey to the camp. The boat ride was uneventful yet enchanting as we sailed in azure waters surrounded by various shades of green, with Allan regaling us with stories about the camp and the locality. His passion for this Cambodian rainforest was very evident, as was his frustration at the Government not taking stronger measures against poaching and illegal logging.

The camp itself was what we had expected. The tent was the very basic safari type accommodation on stilts with a large bed and a table, and some drawers and hangers for clothes. Having been to safaris before, we were not expecting a five star accommodation and were actually quite happy with the running hot water in a relatively big bathroom, and of course with the spacious verandah - we spent many hours relaxing in the verandah with a steaming cup of tea.

Internet is available at the camp but the connectivity is poor, so we did not get any signal in our tents - could only connect at the reception desk. It actually felt good to disconnect for a while from the rest of the world and catch up on some reading, or just laze around listening to the mating calls of cicadas.

Food was excellent, mostly really delicious local fare. And bearing in mind the logistical challenges in keeping the kitchen stocked in the middle of the jungle, it was indeed a pleasure to be offered three different dessert items during our three nights of stay. The Chocolate Lava Cake does deserve a special mention - easily one of the finest I have had so far. Hats off to the chef.

The staff were amazingly nice, very accommodating and helpful. There was this incident in particular on the third day of our stay when we were not very keen on going for kayaking yet again, and I had casually mentioned to the staff that it would have been great had there been some options for fishing. A little later they asked us if we would like to go upstream on a motorboat and try some fishing! I agreed, of course, and managed to hook a couple of fish as well.

Overall, this was a rather enjoyable vacation of hiking in dense forests, kayaking in the daylight, a motorboat ride at night to see birds and beasts, with the occasional ziplining and fishing thrown in for good measure - would certainly like to be back...