Cardamom Tented Camp

koh kong province, cambodia

Cardamom Tented Camp

Eco Lodges

Since march 2024

Opened in November 2017 with the tagline ‘Your Stay Keeps the Forest Standing’, Cardamom Tented Camp is a unique conservation and ecotourism project in southwest Cambodia that protects the surrounding forest. The camp delivers conservation tourism experiences for guests, recruits employees from the area, sources fresh produce locally and generates income for forest rangers.

Cardamom Tented Camp was constructed on a natural grassland opening adjacent to the Preak Tachan River, surrounded by 180km2 of mixed indigenous lowland forest and mangrove. There is no road access. The camp is accessible only by river boat – or forest hike. The nine-unit tented camp, with a restaurant pavilion, staff dormitory, ecotourism equipment and boat pier, uses solar power and has its own wastewater filtration process. The multiple award-winning retreat operates a partnership-based business model that has inspired other ecolodge operators. The eco-tourist guest experience wins many favourable guest reviews and is rated “5.0 Excellent” on TripAdvisor.

CONSERVATION

Helps protect 180km2 of indigenous lowland forest that would otherwise disappear.

Populations of rare local wildlife increasing again

COMMUNITY

Staff members mostly from the local area

Leads by example by using a sustainable approach to forest living

CULTURE

Local dishes such as Fish Amok (curried fish in banana leaves) and Lok Lak (mild Khmer-style curry) are popular choices on the menu

National festivals and activities such as Pchum Ben and Bundai Protip are celebrated with guests at the camp

COMMERCE

Between 5 and 10% of profits help fund forest ranger salaries and equipment such as boots, binoculars, cooking utensils and solar panels

Successful ‘giving back’ business model with very favourable guest reviews. The number of tents will expand from 9 to 12 in 2024

Cardamom Tented Camp’s Highlights

Accessible only by river (or hiking), Cardamom Tented Camp occupies a peaceful setting in a natural grassland opening beside the Preak Tachan river. The surrounding Botum Sakor national park is the largest in Cambodia.
Each tent offers comfortable accommodation with user-friendly amenities such as hot water shower, en suite bathroom, spacious fan-cooled room, power sockets and balcony ideal for bird watching, reading and relaxing with a coffee or a cold drink.
Activities such as guided hiking, kayaking, ziplining and night-time boat rides to see wildlife are some of the ecotourism activities available. Guests can get close to nature and learn about indigenous flora and fauna in a sanctuary with 160 bird species and over 80 varieties of trees and vines.
Profits from Cardamom Tented Camp help fund forest ranger patrols. As a result the incidence of wildlife poaching has decreased by a factor of about 80% in the last seven years or so. Species such as gibbon, Asian elephant, leopard, leopard cat, dhole (local wild jackals), civet, smooth-coated otter, and more, are all making a comeback.