Cambodia
Cambodia
Eco-luxury seekers. Adventure lovers. Conservationists. Curious creatives. Jungle dreamers.
Zipping into the resort on a 400m jungle canopy zipline. Bathtubs in the wild beside rushing rapids. Morning yoga to the sounds of gibbons. Forest-foraged cocktails by the fire. A private picnic waterfall lunch after tracking wildlife with conservation rangers.
Visit from November to April for Cambodia’s dry season, when clear skies and lower humidity create perfect conditions for ziplining, trekking, and dining under the stars. May to October brings dramatic monsoon rains that transform the forest into a lush, cinematic green, ideal for wellness seekers who want to immerse themselves in nature, linger in the spa, or cozy up in their tent with the symphony of the rain.
Shinta Mani Wild is a hotel where design, experience, and intention come together. Tucked deep within the protected wilderness of Cambodia’s Cardamom National Park, the property feels like a hidden world suspended between reality and fantasy. Designed by the visionary Bill Bensley, the 15 luxury tents channel the romance of a 1940s jungle safari with hand-crafted curios, vintage campaign furniture, and flowing spaces that open onto cascading rivers and verdant forest.
But beyond the exquisite aesthetics, what truly sets Shinta Mani Wild apart is its total embrace of freedom and ease. There are no set meal times, no restaurant menus to decode, no bills to sign - everything from artisanal cocktails to riverbank picnics to daily spa treatments is included. Your days are tailored to you by your personal Bensley Adventure Butler, whether you want to ride a zipline into camp, trek to hidden waterfalls, or simply sink into a spa treatment surrounded by jungle birdsong. It’s a rare kind of barefoot luxury - deeply immersive, effortlessly indulgent, and absolutely unrepeatable.
To wander at Shinta Mani Wild is to step into a living conservation effort, where every moment spent in the jungle serves a purpose. Located in one of Southeast Asia’s last remaining wild corridors, the resort exists to protect, not just to host. Your stay directly supports the work of Wildlife Alliance, whose rangers patrol the surrounding 350 hectares of rainforest daily to prevent poaching, logging, and land encroachment.
You’re invited to witness this work firsthand, joining rangers on motorbike patrols, setting camera traps to monitor endangered species, or learning how traditional knowledge and modern science are merging to restore this vital landscape. These aren’t curated “eco” experiences; they’re part of real, on-the-ground conservation that impacts ecosystems and livelihoods. You arrive seeking connection, but leave having contributed to something much larger: the future of one of the most biodiverse regions on earth.
Dining here is both wildly inventive and grounded in the landscape. Menus are ever-changing and inspired by local, foraged ingredients - jungle ferns, river fish, forest mushrooms. Meals might be served beside a waterfall or delivered to your tent’s private terrace. The in-room maxi bar is a trove of snacks and drinks, and every cocktail is infused with regional herbs and fruits.
Reaching Shinta Mani Wild is part of the adventure. Guests are picked up in a private vehicle for a 1.5-hour scenic drive from Phnom Penh International Airport or Sihanoukville. From there, you arrive not through a lobby, but by soaring over the canopy on a zipline. Helicopter transfers are also available, offering a bird’s eye view of the protected jungle below.
What truly sets Shinta Mani Wild apart is its deep commitment to conservation. The land it occupies was once slated for logging and mining and now, it’s a sanctuary. In partnership with Wildlife Alliance, the resort funds a full-time ranger station that combats poaching, protects endangered species like pangolins and clouded leopards, and helps preserve the ecological integrity of the Cardamom Mountains. Guests are invited to participate in this mission, learning first-hand how tourism can be a force for good.
Photos by Shinta Mani Wild, Elise Hassey, It's Me Louis Photography
CAMBODIA
CAMBODIA
Lovers and friends in search of paradise. Robinson Crusoes of the world. People looking for barefoot luxury as well as getting involved with local communities and learning more about environment conservation.
Hidden paradise. Feeling the sand between your toes, while walking to your private beach dining experience. Watching reef fish and sea turles swim under your villa. Connecting with local cultures.
November to March.
Song Saa Private Island Resort is a pristine oasis of luxury nestled in the unspoiled beauty of Cambodia's Koh Rong Archipelago, on the islands of Koh Ouen and Koh Bong, connected by a hanging bridge over a marine reserve. This exclusive resort offers guests a rare opportunity to experience the serenity of the natural world in a secluded setting.
The resort's design and architecture seamlessly blend with the lush, tropical landscape. Choose the Over-Water, Jungle or Ocean-View villa, all built with local sustainable materials with bamboo roofs and floor to ceiling windows overlooking the ocean. Surrounded by virgin rainforests, coral reefs and white gold beaches, Song Saa is a truly untouched private retreat. The staff's hospitality is genuine, immediately making you feel like a part of the family.
Song Saa is not just a destination for relaxation but also a pioneer in responsible and sustainable tourism, committed to preserving the surrounding marine environment and supporting local communities. It offers a perfect balance of indulgence, environmental mindfulness, and the chance to immerse yourself in Cambodia's coastal paradise. Whether you're enjoying a spa treatment, indulging in culinary adventures, or exploring the vibrant coral reefs, Song Saa offers a one-of-a-kind escape in a setting that is as beautiful as it is ethically sound.
Wake up with sunrise yoga on the dock. Snorkel straight from your villa around the Islands, exploring the local coral reef. Take out a kayak and discover secret coves. Experience the untouched environment and the people of the Koh Rong Archipelago with community and conservation work. End the day with the In Villa Movie Experience - choose a movie and the Song Saa staff will set up a screen and a projector for your own private screening.
Grill nights. Curry nights. Private beach dinner with candlelight. Indulge in gourmet food anywhere on the island - with your feet in the pool, or surrounded by the lush vegetation of the jungle.
Take a 35 minutes speedboat from port Sihanoukville to Song Saa. Pickups can also be arranged from Phnom Penh Airport.
“The Song Saa Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 2013 to protect the habitats of the Koh Rong Archipelago and improve the welfare of its communities. The Foundation continues the conservation work we began in 2006, when we first came to Koh Ouen, and at present, we are proud to have launched a broad range of conservation and humanitarian initiatives that go well beyond the borders of the archipelago. From establishing the kingdom’s first marine reserve, we have grown to become a preeminent coastal marine NGO, helping improve the lives of local people and promoting the protection of the environment wherever our work takes us.”
*Images property of Song Saa Private Island
CAMBODIA
CAMBODIA
Explorers looking for a remote jungle paradise. River Glampers.
A scenic river journey to the lodge. Realizing you are a dot on the horizon. Floating tents - the feeling of a gentle movement at night. Diving straight into the river from your personal deck at sunrise.
November to March.
Canvas & Orchids Retreat is a remarkable eco-tourism destination in the heart of the Cambodian jungle, offering a unique and immersive experience. Located near the historic town of Koh Kong and surrounded by lush rainforests and Cardamom mountains, this extraordinary lodge floats on the serene Tatai River.
Guests stay in spacious, comfortable tent-style accommodations, featuring modern amenities and private decks that provide stunning river views. Four Rivers prides itself on its commitment to environmental sustainability, ensuring minimal impact on the surrounding pristine nature. Whether you're relaxing in your floating tent, dining on delicious local cuisine, or embarking on adventures in the jungle, Four Rivers Floating Lodge offers a unique and eco-friendly escape for those seeking a deeper connection with nature.
Tatai River is the perfect starting point of your exploration of the Cardamoms and Southeast Asia’s largest coastal mangrove. Enjoy nature's spa with a hydro massage from Tatai Waterfalls.Try fishing for your dinner with the help of the locals. Kayak through the mangroves. Do the Ta Kiev Mountain Trek, taking you through rice fields and waterfalls. At night, wander to see thousands of fireflies.
Western and southeast Asian food. Try beef with lemon grass, pumpkin soup as well as the B 52 cocktail.
Take a bus or a private car from Phnom Penh to Ta Tai village. The trip will take about 4-5 hours. From there your guides will take you on a 30 minutes scenic boat ride to the Lodge.
*Images property of Canvas & Orchids Retreat