Cambodia is experiencing a high deforestation rate, which puts the local ecosystems at risk. Mondulkiri province is rich in biodiversity and is home to a variety of important endangered species. A local NGO, L.E.A.F. (Local Environmental Awareness Foundation), has been created in 2014 by Cambodian volunteers from Mondulkiri. Its goal is to support and to improve environmental education and conservation among local communities.
One of their main source of funding comes from a great ecotourism project: The Mondulkiri elephant & wildlife Sanctuary, located 20 minutes outside Sen Monorom. There, neighbouring Bunong communities can bring their ex-working elephants to a natural corridor to give them a happy retirement. Because each elephant is co-owned by multiple village families, the whole community receives money. It encourages them to free working elephants from work in logging & commercial tourist rides, receiving monthly family support which helps to provide for, and educate their family.
Going on a one-day tour within the Mondulkiri Sanctuary is an unforgettable experience! (I have done it and I do really recommend it!) Here is the PROGRAMM:
- A nice walk inside the Mondulkiri Sanctuary, made of beautiful rainforest and indigenous farms. This is the beginning of the project and a lot of new fruit trees are growing, organically, to restore the ecosystem. Besides, the guide has so many interesting things to teach you about the Bunong traditional way of life !
- First encounter with the elephants. Freely, they come towards you under the supervision of the mahout (they are domesticated elephants), and you get to feed them with bananas. It's so impressive to walk next to those gentle giants for a while, enjoying their freedom in their natural habitat.
- Lunchtime next to the river, for a fresh swim while the guide do the cooks in a traditional Bunong way – so good!
- And then, jump in the water with the elephants to help with the daily cleaning session. They like it!
This tour is a really good way of helping Asian elephants and other wildlife, while supporting local conservation and local Bunong communities.
If you're looking for a fully ethical Mondulkiri experience, give it a chance, the LEAF team has a great amount of new project development: currently building a wildlife rescue center, with a rehabilitation program for captive gibbons & other wildlife, developing renewable energy systems, environmental education program & more.
Tours can be booked on the NGO official website : Mondulkiri Sanctuary
It is also possible to arrange L.E.A.F tours at the NGO office and at Nature Lodge.
