Jungle Glamping – an interview with Conservation International Greater Mekong

Conservation International Mekong Delta in association with the Cambodian Ministry of the Environment and funding support from IUCN Save Our Species (SOS) and the Arcus Foundation have set up a glamping retreat at the Veun Sai Siem Pang’ National Park. Khmer Nights spoke exclusively to Naven Hon of Conservation International Greater Mekong about the exciting new tourism project.

To read our previous article about the resort click here .

What inspired you to open the resort?

I always desired to have a house in the jungle or experience staying in nature, without disturbing the natural environment. To have the opportunity to see wild animals, and unique plant species as well as contribute to protect wildlife and its habitats is a dream for me. I also relish the opportunity to learn about different cultures, especially our indigenous communities. I think many people feel the same. Building this resort is a dream for everyone. It offers a quiet place for people who want to relax and a ways from distraction. You can enjoy with your friends, families or by yourself in this resort.

Glamping is a relatively new thing for Cambodia, why should people glamp instead of other more traditional forms of tourism?

Watching small apes in the wild is a unique tour itinerary in the world and in Asia. The tourists who choose this tour itinerary are mostly high-end, who prefer to stay in the luxurious accommodation. This offers tourists fantastic experiences with nature with comfortable areas, personal tent, personal bathroom, and nice kitchen and dining space to hang out. Moreover, opening this resort, means improved benefits for the local people. Communities get more jobs and money to develop sustainably, and in return the gibbons and its habitats will be protected.

Why did you pick this specific area? Aside from the gibbons what else is there that makes it so special?

The habitats there unique, it has evergreen forests, grasslands, and deciduous forests. It provide a huge wildlife habitats including one of the most stunning and colourful primates in the world, the red-shanked douc. The resort itself was built on the grassland of wild flowers o really beautiful. Moreover, the areas has many wild edible mushrooms, and wild fruit, where tourists can also experience. Moreover, the area also offers a place for trekking, camping near the streams or waterfall, and bird watching as well.

What do you see as the post-covid potential and how do you plan to keep it profitable whilst environmentally stable?

Covid-19 created a major obstacle for the community-based ecotourism program as this originally had relied on international tourists. However, now we are adapting to target to a national audience. We are planning to set up several new tour itineraries by focused on Cambodian tourists. Already we have several booking from young Cambodians who like camping with nature. I’m thrilled as it means more Cambodians will see and enjoy the wonderful nature of our ecologically rich country!

What would be the highlights of a trip here?

Join a trip with us to experience with personal luxurious tented camp with nice view, and a great opportunity to see one of the rarest small ape, northern yellow-cheeked crested gibbons, in the wild, and contribute to the development of indigenous communities and protected wildlife and its habitats.

You can check out the fine work by Conservation International here.

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