Search Icon Search
GBP (£)
  • GBP (£)
  • US DOLLARS ($)
+44 207 384 2332 Plan Your Trip
GBP (£)
  • GBP (£)
  • US DOLLARS ($)
+44 207 384 2332 Plan Your Trip
+44 207 384 2332 Plan your trip
Cambodia

Cardamom Mountains

Shinta Mani Wild, Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia
Shinta Mani Wild, Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia
Shinta Mani Wild, Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia
JUMP TO
Shinta Mani Wild, Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia

Why visit The Cardamom Mountains

The Cardamom Mountains are Cambodia’s wild frontier –  a vast landscape of rainforest, rivers, and remote valleys that feels far removed from the country’s temples and cities. Protected and largely untouched, this region offers one of Southeast Asia’s most incredible nature experiences.

Stretching across southwestern Cambodia, the mountains are shaped by dense jungle, waterfalls, and winding waterways that support both wildlife and local communities. Travel here moves at a slower pace. Days are spent exploring by boat or on guided forest walks, learning about conservation efforts, and discovering a landscape that remains rich in biodiversity.

Accommodation is part of the experience. Carefully designed jungle camps, such as Shinta Mani Wild, combine adventure with comfort while supporting vital conservation and anti-poaching work across the region.

More than a destination, the Cardamom Mountains offer a sense of escape – a place to disconnect, explore, and experience Cambodia at its most natural and quietly extraordinary.

(all image credit to Shinta Mani Wild)
Shinta Mani Wild, Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia

Highlights of Phnom Penh

  • Dense Rainforest & Waterfalls: Towering trees, misty jungle paths, and cascading waterfalls showcase one of Southeast Asia’s last great wildernesses.
  • Wildlife & Biodiversity: Home to elephants, hornbills, otters, and other rare species thriving in protected habitats.
  • Rivers & Jungle Trails: Winding rivers and forest trails offer boat trips, guided walks, and opportunities to explore the landscape at a gentle pace.
  • Local Communities: Small villages along the rivers provide insight into traditional forest livelihoods and sustainable ways of living.
  • Conservation & Eco-Adventures: Guided experiences focus on protecting the environment while immersing visitors in the natural beauty of the region.
  • Luxury Camps: Jungle retreats such as Shinta Mani Wild combine comfort with adventure, supporting conservation and anti-poaching initiatives.
One of Southeast Asia’s Last Wild Frontiers

The Cardamoms cover roughly 12,000 square kilometres, making them one of the largest remaining rainforest areas in the region.

Home to Indigenous Communities

Several ethnic groups live here, maintaining traditional ways of life and sustainable forest practices.

Where to stay

Best hotels in The Cardamom Mountains

Nothing but the best. Browse our handpicked, tried-and-tested luxury hotels + lodges.

Tents ,Shinta Mani Wild, Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia Luxury Tented Lodge

Shinta Mani Wild, Cardamom Mountains

Full Details

Good to know

Getting to Cardamom Mountains

From Phnom Penh
There are regular flights to Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH), with most international services connecting via hubs such as Bangkok, Singapore, or Doha.

The drive from Phnom Penh to the edge of the Cardamom Mountains takes around 2–3 hours, depending on road conditions. From the lodge’s arrival point, a 4×4 transfer (and optional zip-line) brings you into Shinta Mani Wild, deep in the rainforest. Helicopter transfers are also available for a faster arrival.

From Siem Reap
There are regular flights to Siem Reap International Airport (REP) from many regional hubs.

From Siem Reap, you can take a short domestic flight to Sihanoukville International Airport (KOS), followed by a 2–2.5 hour private transfer to the lodge. Alternatively, you can travel via Phnom Penh, though the journey takes longer.

When to go

  • J
  • F
  • M
  • A
  • M
  • J
  • J
  • A
  • S
  • O
  • N
  • D
Best time to visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit

OUR FAVOURITE TIME TO VISIT

The best time to visit the Cardamom Mountains is during the cool, dry season from November to February, when temperatures are more comfortable, averaging 25–30 °C, and rainfall is minimal. This makes it ideal for jungle treks, boat trips along the rivers, wildlife spotting, and enjoying the rainforest scenery.

The rainy season, from May to October, brings short and heavy showers. Trails can be muddy and rivers higher, but the season also transforms the forest into a lush, vibrant green, with dramatic waterfalls, fewer visitors, and a quieter, more secluded experience in the mountains.

Chat to an expert to start planning your trip

Get in touch with us and one of our travel experts will answer any questions you may have and help create your dream trip.

ENQUIRE
UK: +44 207 384 2332
US: +1 800 409 4233
Charlotte CTA 230
Charlotte Barwick
Auriole Major
Flora Sweeting-Phillips