Where to see wildlife in Cambodia – Elephants, Bears, Irrawaddy Dolphins and the Apopo HeroRats!!
Last updated on May 31st, 2026 at 10:22 am
When you think of Cambodia you start by thinking of pretty horrific things like genocide and Pol Pot, and then more pleasant things like Angkor Wat! And all that is definitely worth seeing – but for me of course I also want to see what wildlife is around! Right?
TBH there is not a lot of wildlife that is easily accessible. But there are some big ones that you want to make some time for that are! Namely the Asian elephants, the Irrawaddy dolphins, the Sun and Moon bears, and, not exactly wild but very fascinating, the Apopo rats!
This post will tell you where to find them so you can add them to your itinerary!
First a few important links to use when you plan your trip. Yes, they are affiliate links, but I use them all for my travels, and if you do too it will help me keep producing this content. Cheers!
Plan for your trip
Flights – use skyscanner or booking.com to find and book your flight – I often find the same flight for a lot cheaper than booking direct with the airline!
Insurance – Use EKTA or SafetyWing. TBH I usually use EKTA – they accept any nationality, any age and its ok if you are already traveling – which is perfect for me!
Accommodation – use booking.com or for a hostel – Hostelworld. I use both.
Internet – buy a yesim eSim or Airalo before you go. I use both depending on where I am going.
Buses, trains, ferries – 12Go is always my first option for buses, ferries and trains
Car rental – use DiscoverCars – they are my ‘go-to’ car rental site
Hiking – I use AllTrails for online and offline hiking trails – it means you know exactly where you are on the trail and makes getting lost a lot harder!!
Tours and Activities – book with Viator, GetYourGuide, or Eatwith. My top recommendations for the wildlife must see’s in Cambodia are:
1. Elephant sanctuary visit from Siam Reap for a day or for half a day
2. Phnom Tamao Wildlife Center and temples with Viator or GetYourGuide
3. Half-day kayaking the Mekong river and seeing the dolphins
Thanks so much if you use one of these links – it costs you nothing but helps me keep writing!
Wildlife in Cambodia
It is possible to see sun bears, gibbons, hornbills, crocodiles, clouded leopards, banteng (wild cattle), silver langur, slow loris, gibbons, pangolin, and giant ibis (the national bird) in Cambodia. But these are difficult to see in the wild as numbers are small and they mostly live in isolated jungle regions. However the Irrawaddy dolphins, some monkeys, and elephants are relatively easy to see in their natural homes. This post focuses on these animals in particular.
Other places that take more effort to get to for potential wildlife encounters are the following:
Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary
Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary is more than 2,225 square kilometers of protected land in the Mondulkiri province. The sanctuary has a range of habitats from dry forests to seasonal wetlands, supporting a wide variety of flora and fauna. It is a vital habitat for several endangered species, including the Asian elephant, banteng, and the giant ibis. You may see gibbon and leopard as well as other wildlife here too. Contact Mondulkiri Ecotours to get started. Although these animals live here, do not expect to see them without a lot of luck!
The Cardamom Mountains
The Cardamom Mountains are 4.4 million hectares of rainforest – the largest rainforest in South-East Asia! To prevent the degradation of the Cardamom region, conservation projects, and community-based tourism have popped up in several locations. This is easier to get to than the Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary. Here there are a number of community-based initiatives at Chi Phat, Trapeang Ruang, and Osoam Village. If you want to visit Osoam Community Center, you can take a bus from Battambang to Koh kong, and get off at Osoam on the way. In this area you might see elephants, clouded leopards, sun bears, crocodiles, and gibbons.
Asian elephants
Even though you might see Asian elephants in the wild in Cambodia, there are less than 400 and they are generally very hard to see. So your best bet, is to spend some time at one of the ethical elephant rescue centers and reserves. Here elephants retired or rescued from the horrible tourist rides, logging, or other back breaking work, can live out their years freely in the forest in as natural a setting as possible.
Its not cheap, but not expensive really either. And importantly, buying these elephants from their owners and having forest land for them to live in is an expensive business. So you are also helping other “not yet rescued” elephants by visiting.
You can see elephants in Kulen Elephant Forest near Siam Reap, and at the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary nearby to Kulen. But also, the two wonderful organisations, off the main tourist trail, in the Mondulkiri Forest. Head to Sen Monorom to see the elephants at either the Mondulkiri Project or the Elephant Valley Project. I absolutely 100% loved my time there.
How many elephants and visiting options
Kulen has 11 elephants that used to give rides at Angkor Wat but have been rescued from that now illegal practice. The Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary and Mondulkiri Project both have three. Elephant Valley currently has seven. Sadly there are over 70 captive elephants in Cambodia and these four organisations are doing whatever they can to convince their owners to sell them to them. However it all costs a huge amount of money – so know that whatever you pay does help massively!
Note – The Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary has pay for volunteering options as well as half day elephant visiting options. Elephant Valley has half day to 3-day visiting options. Mondulkiri Project has 1-day visits with options to stay for an additional half to two days trekking. (in these places you may possibly see hornbills and gibbons when trekking.) Kulen has half day options only.
Read more in Cambodia’s elephant sanctuaries – which to visit or volunteer at?
Irrawaddy dolphins
I also just 100% loved this. The Irrawady dolphins are now extinct in Laos and probably the best and easiest place in the world to see them is right in Cambodia at a little village called Kampi near the town of Kratie! (Kratie is also a very chill town that I found I could while away some time in very easily.)
I did this half-day kayaking the Mekong river and saw so many dolphins. It was really great!
Remember the dolphins are fully wild and so you are not guaranteed to even see them – although chances are extremely high that you will. You may only see them at a distance, or you may be lucky enough to see them up close – I was lucky and had them so close that I even got hit by one of them!! No time is better than another, although it is better in the wet season than the dry season.
You have two options to see the dolphins. Get a tuk tuk to Kampi and then hire a boat to take you to the areas they tend to be in, or, take a kayak tour to see them with a guide. I highly recommend the kayak if you are fit and able. You will kayak across the wide Mekong, get to land on an island in the middle of the river, learn about the dolphins from your guide Borey, go for a swim if that appeals (it did for me) and hopefully get very close to the dolphins.
Read more in What to do in Kratie Cambodia – above and beyond the Irrawaddy dolphins!
Bears and other wildlife at the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center
A good place to see other local wildlife, unfortunately not in the wild, is at the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center just near Phnom Penh.
You will find almost everything from elephants to bears, to gibbons, and clouded leopards – but do not expect an amazing zoo with pristine conditions. Cambodia is still recovering from its past and wildlife has not long been a focus. This will change over time – please comment if you have been recently!
Free the Bears also works within the center and has over 120 rescued bears in its care. You can do a day trip with them and get behind the scenes with the bear care. Email them directly to book. Its not cheap (around $90…..but if you’re a wildlife nut like me….)
Most of the animals at the center were rescued from the illegal wildlife trade. Where ever possible, rescued animals are released back into the wild. If that is not possible they are given a home at the centre for as long as they need. A lot of the species are endangered or vulnerable.
This daytrip takes you to the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Center as well as to Tamao mountain and the stunning Buddha Kiri. This Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary and Countryside Tour is similar.
Monkeys
I had better mention monkeys too! You are pretty much guaranteed to see wild Longtail macaques at Angkor Wat, and seeing as just about everybody visiting Cambodia visits Angkor Wat – that’s a tick!
You might also see them at Nokor Bachey Pagoda – near Kampong Cham, where there will be a lot less tourists. Finally you can often see them at Monkey Temple, or Wat Kean Khleang on the Mekong River in Phnom Penh.
Apopo rats – not wildlife but interesting!
10 minutes by tuktuk from Siam Reap, on the way to Angkor Wat, is the Apopo Rat Visitor Center. This is not wildlife as such but it is pretty fascinating!
At the center you will find out all about how these HeroRATs (African Giant Pouched Rats) are trained by the charity Apopo to find landmines. You can meet and hold the rats too (if you want)! You will learn a lot about rats and about landmines that still plague about 59 countries. I really think its worth it so do go – and what a great charity to support by visiting!
For a really good half day, combine a trip to the Siam Reap elephant sanctuary with a visit to the rats on this Private Trip. Note you will have to decide which experience you want at the elephant sanctuary and pay for that separately.
Frequently asked questions about Cambodia and its wildlife
Q: What is the best time to visit Cambodia?
A: The dry season (November–March) is considered best for temples and beaches, but May–June is better for greener landscapes and wildlife viewing. Really any time of year has its bonuses so it depends what you want to do.
Q: How many days do I need in Cambodia?
A: 5–7 days for temples and cities, 10-14 days if adding wildlife or islands, 2+ weeks for eco-tourism and getting to remote regions.
Q: What are the best nature destinations in Cambodia?
A: Kratie, Mondulkiri, Cardamom Mountains, Koh Rong, and Tonlé Sap.
Q: Are elephant sanctuaries in Cambodia ethical?
A: Most are ethical – it depends how much of a purist you are. None allow riding. Some allow touching if the elephant approaches you. Some do allow bathing and hands on experiences. Check the info in Cambodia’s elephant sanctuaries – which to visit or volunteer at? Recommended for high ethics are Elephant Valley Project in Mondulkiri and the Kulen Elephant Forest near Siem Reap.
Q: What animals can you see in Cambodia?
A: It is possible to see sun bears, gibbons, hornbills, crocodiles, clouded leopards, banteng (wild cattle), silver langur, slow loris, gibbons, pangolin, and giant ibis (the national bird), but these are difficult to see in the wild as numbers are small and they mostly live in isolated jungle regions. However the Irrawaddy dolphins and elephants are very possible to see in their natural habitat.
Travel Tips for Cambodia
- Travel times are longer than you think – don’t be fooled by how close things look on a map – especially if you are going to the Cardamom Mountains or Mondulkiri.
- Take US Dollars which you can use alongside Khmer Riel. Make sure the US$ are not damaged or marked in any way. Have enough cash to cover you in more remote areas where there will not be ATMs.
- For visiting temples, have clothes that cover shoulders and knees (males and females).
- Learn a couple of Khmer words e.g. “Sous-dey” – hello, and, “Aw-kohn” – thank you. The locals will love it!
- Watch out for the heat – especially March–May. Take plenty of water when out and about. Visit temples and the like early in the day to avoid the heat.
Mini Itinerary for a wildlife and nature based holiday in Cambodia
Day 1: Phnom Penh
Days 2-4: Travel to Kratie – Irrawaddy dolphins and local sights – read What to do in Kratie Cambodia – above and beyond the Irrawady dolphins!
Days 5-8: Travel to Sen Monorom for Elephant & Jungle Trekking in Mondulkiri at the Mondulkiri Project or Elephant Valley Project (or both). Possible to see butterflies, hornbills, gibbons.
Days 9-11: Travel to the Cardamom Mountains (Southeast Asia’s largest remaining rainforest ecosystem) for some nature adventure – kayaking through mangroves, night safaris, canopy camping, jungle river expeditions, and birdwatching.
Day 12: Koh Kong Mangroves stop on the way to Siam Reap.
Days 13-14: Siem Reap + Tonlé Sap Biosphere. Although not wildlife as such – visit the Apopo Rats on the way to or from Angkor Wat.
Where to stay in Cambodia
As always there is a lot of choice and your budget and what you want to do has a big part to play in what is right for you. These recommendations are a good place to start. They all have at least a 9/10 rating on reviews at the time of writing!
In Siam Reap
High End – Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor or Jaya House River Park Hotel
Mid Range – Golden Temple Residence or The Bliss Angkor
For backpackers, there are so many good hostels on Hostelworld its hard to pick one or two – but my experience at Bokre Angkor and White Rabbit were really good!
In Phnom Penh
High End – the Rosewood Phnom Penh
Mid Range – Plantation Urban Resort & Spa, or, Pavilion, or Palace Gate Hotel & Resort By Ehm
For backpackers and budget travelers, again there are plenty of good hostels on Hostelworld and I definitely recommend Activate C3 Hostel – which has great dorms and pool and also has very nice private rooms.
In Kratie
I highly recommend staying at Sorya Guesthouse for any budget. They have all levels of room and a small dorm for budget travelers on the ground floor. The dorm (3 large beds) is very roomy, clean and the best budget bed you will probably get in S-E Asia.
They have a great view from their cafe / restaurant too!
For a backpacker another great option is the Discover Kratie Homesetay
In Sen Monorom (for Mondulkiri and the Elephant Project)
Higher end – try the KNN Resort Mondulkiri or Sumeru
Budget to mid range – definitely the Mondulkiri Pizza Bungalows. This place is lovely and probably the nicest place to stay right in Sen Monorom!
The Nature Lodge is another really nice place just out of the town, as is the Pida Coffee Farm Lodge which is further out.
Manel Guesthouse or Route 76 Guest House – are also good options for budget hostel style stays.
Related Posts
A guide to Cambodia for the outdoor traveler
Cambodia’s elephant sanctuaries – which to visit or volunteer at?
What to do in Kratie Cambodia – above and beyond the Irrawaddy dolphins!
and other places with animalia….