Siem Reap Local Heroes #2 - Kulen Elephant Forest
A day with the elephants in Cambodia
Ok not strictly in Siem Reap but only one hour away at the base of Kulen Mountain, Kulen Elephant Forest is our hero of the month for February. This amazing project opened only a few months ago to rehabilitate the elephants from the Angkor Park. For more than 20 years these elephants had a tough life giving rides to visitors around the temples but now they have been re-homed in 1100 acres of protected forest…like a heavenly elephant retirement home.
Chi Ole and Chi Mean, best friends and half of the “Mean Girls’ gang
On arrival, it’s a 1km walk through the forest and across a bamboo bridge to get to the main house. The structure itself is stunning, raised up in the treetops and reminds me of Sri Lankan architecture. There we enjoyed a delicious lunch washed down with fresh coconuts and beer. The project is owned by the same family as the Angkor Village Hotels in Siem Reap so everything is top notch from the service to the setting. However the absolute highlight was meeting the elephants. Seeing them suddenly appearing in the forest is truly magical, it’s so heart-warming to see them roam free after all those years in captivity. We fed them watermelon and bananas and watched them go swimming. You can tell they are so happy and really well looked after. Managed by a fantastic team who are passionate about what they do, this is a fantastic new activity for those looking to do something else besides the temples.
Kulen Elephant Forest: The Facts
Tours are available daily with three different options: morning, afternoon or a full day. Each includes spending time with the elephants in their natural surroundings and prices start at USD 80 per person with a 20% discount for kids under 12. This also includes return transportation, food and drinks and a guide so it’s good value for the experience and everything that is included. Depending on the time of day, you might walk through the forest with the elephants, feed them or watch them going for a swim. These gentle giants love a photo shoot too!
Don’t try and show up by yourselves, there is no sign, it’s not on the map and you won’t be able to find it. The only way to visit is to book one of their tours.
Definitely family-friendly! I would say its perfect for kids aged 5+ as there’s quite a bit of walking involved and younger ones might get tired.
Dietary requirements need to be advised in advance as there is a set menu. For lunch we had spring rolls, frittata, fried rice (all three dishes were vegetarian) and chicken with cashew nuts followed by fresh fruit. Tasty and filling and very generous portions, shared family-style.
To find out more and book, contact Kulen Elephant Forest directly here.
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