Elephant Valley Project

The Elephant Valley Project (EVP) is an ethical elephant sanctuary about 11 kilometres from Sen Monorom, operating since 2006. It houses rescued former working elephants — formerly used in the logging industry or for tourist rides elsewhere — and allows them to roam through a large forested area. Visitors spend time in the forest observing the elephants, learning about their behaviour and history, and understanding the challenges of elephant conservation in Cambodia.

There are no elephant rides, no shows, and no direct contact with the animals unless they choose to approach. Day visits and multi-day volunteer programmes are both offered. The project works with local Bunong mahouts, who provide the traditional knowledge and language necessary to manage the elephants, and channels income to the local community. Booking in advance is essential; the project deliberately limits visitor numbers.

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A story
The Elephant Valley Project was established in 2006 with a deliberately unusual model: instead of charging visitors to ride elephants or watch them perform, it charges visitors to walk with elephants that are roaming freely in the forest. The operators pay the Bunong mahouts a regular salary whether or not the elephants work, removing the economic pressure that drives most elephant tourism. As a result, the elephants at EVP set the schedule: they walk where they want, the visitors follow.