Elephant Valley Project
Walk Alongside Elephants — No Riding, No Shows
Elephant Valley Project — Quick Facts
- What is it?
- nature — Walk Alongside Elephants — No Riding, No Shows
- Where?
- Mondulkiri , Cambodia
- Entry Fee
- $45 half-day; $95 full day; multi-day packages from $140 (2 days/1 night) — discounts available for Khmer nationals and children under 12
- Opening Hours
- Tours run daily, morning visits typically starting around 7:30am
- Time Needed
- Half day minimum; 2–3 day packages available for a deeper visit
- Best Time
- November to March for easier jungle walking; open year-round
- Don't Miss
- Watching elephants bathe and forage entirely on their own terms, with no forced interaction
What to See at Elephant Valley Project
No Riding, No Performance
EVP’s entire model is built around letting rescued and retired elephants behave like elephants — foraging, bathing, and socialising in the forest without saddles, shows, or forced interaction. Visitors observe and walk alongside the herd at a respectful distance, led by guides who know each animal’s history and personality.
The Elephants’ Stories
Many of the elephants here were rescued from logging camps or tourist riding operations, often with visible injuries or trauma from decades of work. Guides share each animal’s individual background during the visit — turning the experience into something closer to a wildlife rehabilitation story than a typical animal encounter.
Forest Walks & the Mahout Workshop
Full-day visits include a forest walk tracking the herd’s movements and a workshop on traditional mahout (elephant-handler) knowledge, taught by the Bunong staff who work with the elephants daily.
How to Get to Elephant Valley Project
The sanctuary is a short drive from Sen Monorom, Mondulkiri’s provincial capital.
- From Sen Monorom: Around 20–30 minutes by vehicle; transport is included in the tour price
- Booking: Reserve in advance, as day-visitor spaces are limited and multi-day packages need pre-arrangement
Best Time to Visit
EVP operates year-round, though the dry season (November–March) makes the forest walks easier underfoot. Visit early in the day for the best chance of an active, engaged herd.
Practical Information
- $45–95 depending on visit length, with multi-day immersive/volunteer packages available
- Wear closed shoes suitable for muddy forest walking and clothing you don’t mind getting dirty
- No swimming with or riding elephants — this is strictly an observation-and-walking experience
- Lunch is included on full-day visits
Nearby Attractions
Bou Sra Waterfall, around an hour from Sen Monorom, pairs naturally with an Elephant Valley Project visit on a Mondulkiri itinerary.
Practical Info
- Entry Fee
- $45 half-day; $95 full day; multi-day packages from $140 (2 days/1 night) — discounts available for Khmer nationals and children under 12
- Opening Hours
- Tours run daily, morning visits typically starting around 7:30am
- Time Needed
- Half day minimum; 2–3 day packages available for a deeper visit
- Best Time
- November to March for easier jungle walking; open year-round