If you’re researching the Elephant Valley Project Cambodia and want to understand how it compares to the Mondulkiri Project, you’re in the right place.
These sanctuaries operate in Sen Monorom, Mondulkiri Province. They are registered NGOs. Both care genuinely about elephant welfare.
And both are a world away from the elephant riding and circus shows that still exist elsewhere in Southeast Asia.
One thing both sanctuaries agree on: neither allows elephant riding, the use of hooks or chains, or any form of performance or trick.
If you’re worried about accidentally supporting an operation that harms elephants, you can rule both of us out of that category.
About the Elephant Valley Project Cambodia
ELIE — Elephant Livelihood Initiative Environment, a registered Cambodian NGO founded in 2006 — runs the Elephant Valley Project (EVP)
EVP operates on approximately 1,200 hectares of forest outside Sen Monorom, adjacent to the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary.
EVP’s philosophy is observation-only. Visitors hike through the forest and observe elephants from a respectful distance as they roam, forage, and behave naturally.
There is no direct guest interaction — no feeding, no touching. Their tagline is “Let Them Roam Free.”
A typical day at EVP involves two guided forest walks — one in the morning and one in the afternoon — with a rest at the forest base camp in between, where guests enjoy a buffet lunch overlooking the valley.
On a day tour you’ll typically observe three or four elephants from the herd, with different animals encountered across the two walks.
EVP attracts travellers who want to see elephants living as naturally as possible with minimal human imprint. The experience rewards patience and an interest in animal behaviour over direct interaction.
It’s a particularly good fit for travellers who have already had hands-on elephant experiences elsewhere and want something more conservation-focused.
Beyond elephant care, ELIE runs significant community programs: healthcare support reaching over 2,400 local residents, scholarships for 40+ school children, food subsidies for impoverished families, and forest protection work in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society.
EVP offers day visits, multi-day stays, and volunteer placements from one to four weeks or more. Day tour prices start at $100 per person.
About the Mondulkiri Project
CERO (Cambodia Elephant Rescue Organisation), a registered Cambodian NGO, operates the Mondulkiri Project.
We care for four rescued elephants: Happy, Comvine, Princess and Rumkeurn, each with their own personality and history.
Our guides are all Bunong from the nearby Putang Village — members of the indigenous community whose ancestors have lived alongside elephants in these forests for generations.
Our philosophy is that responsible elephant care and meaningful guest interaction are not mutually exclusive.
Guests walk beside the elephants through the jungle, hand-feed them, and join them at a waterfall — experiences guided entirely by our Bunong mahouts, who know each elephant individually and set the pace based on how the animals are feeling that day.
We offer tours from one to three days, with overnight options in a traditional Bunong farmhouse or jungle lodge. Prices start at $50 per person.
Key Differences
Elephant interaction
This is the most significant difference between the two sanctuaries.
At EVP Cambodia, interaction is observation-only. You will hike to where the elephants are and watch them. You will not feed them, touch them, or walk directly alongside them.
For travellers who prioritise the elephants living with minimal human contact, this is the right approach.
At the Mondulkiri Project, you walk beside Happy, Comvine, Princess and Rumkeurn in the jungle, feed them, and join them at the waterfall. This interaction happens under the guidance of Bunong mahouts who have deep, long-standing relationships with each elephant.
For travellers who want a more personal connection with the animals, this is a fundamentally different experience.
Neither approach is wrong. They reflect different philosophies about what a responsible sanctuary visit looks like. What matters is that you choose based on what you actually want from the experience.
Cambodian ownership
EVP/ELIE is a registered Cambodian NGO with Bunong guides on the ground. However, it was founded by an Englishman, and its current management team — including senior coordinators — is predominantly Australian and British.
The Mondulkiri Project is 100% Cambodian-owned, operated by CERO, and guided exclusively by Bunong mahouts. When you book with us, your money flows directly to Cambodian-owned operations and indigenous guides.
Price
EVP day tours start at $100 per person. Mondulkiri Project tours start at $50 per person.
We price our tours to be accessible to travellers on every budget — not just those who can afford a premium experience.
Both sanctuaries direct revenue to elephant care and their local communities; the price difference reflects a deliberate choice about who can afford to visit.
Elephant continuity
EVP has a larger herd, but on a typical day tour you will observe three or four of their elephants across two separate walks.
At the Mondulkiri Project, you spend the full day with the same four elephants — Happy, Comvine, Princess and Rumkeurn — from the morning jungle walk through to the afternoon waterfall.
You leave having genuinely gotten to know individual animals rather than observing a rotating selection from a larger herd.
Physical requirements
Both sanctuaries involve hiking through jungle terrain, and a basic level of fitness is helpful at either location.
At EVP, trails through the forest can be steep in places, with two guided walks broken by a midday rest. Most healthy adults manage the day tour without difficulty.
At the Mondulkiri Project, the 1-day tour is manageable for most fitness levels. Multi-day tours involve more substantial trekking — up to 17km on the 2-day tour — through hilly jungle terrain.
If you’re booking a longer tour, come prepared for a genuine physical challenge. Neither sanctuary is suitable for guests with serious mobility limitations.
Families and children
Both sanctuaries welcome children. At the Mondulkiri Project, the 1-day tour works well for older children and teenagers who can handle a few hours of walking in the heat.
The multi-day trekking tours are better suited to adults and older teens given the distances involved.
Duration and accommodation
EVP offers day visits and multi-day stays with on-site bungalows. They also run volunteer placements from one to four weeks for travellers who want an extended stay.
Mondulkiri Project offers one to three-day tours with overnight options in a traditional Bunong farmhouse (Night 1 on the 3-day tour) and jungle lodge (Night 2).
Paid Bunong staff and mahouts carry out all work at the sanctuary keeping employment and income directly within the local community.
Community programs
EVP/ELIE’s community reach is substantial: healthcare for thousands of local residents, school scholarships, food support, and active forest protection partnerships with international conservation bodies.
CERO’s community work centres directly on the Bunong mahout families, whose livelihoods and cultural identity connect directly to the elephants. Every booking directly supports the wages and ongoing training of our Bunong guides.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Elephant Valley Project Cambodia if:
- You prioritise observation-only, minimal human contact with elephants
- You want an extended stay of a week or more with a volunteer program
- You care about broader conservation and community health programs
- Budget is less of a concern
Choose Mondulkiri Project if:
- You want to walk beside, feed, and spend real time with named, individual elephants
- You want your booking to go directly to a 100% Cambodian-owned, Bunong-guided operation
- You’re combining your elephant experience with jungle trekking and overnight stays in the forest
- You want a quality ethical elephant experience from $50
Both sanctuaries are legitimate. Both are registered NGOs. If you have time in Mondulkiri, both are worth visiting.
The Elephant Valley Project Cambodia is the right choice if observation and conservation are your priority.
The Mondulkiri Project is the right choice if you want a more personal, participatory experience with individual elephants, guided by the Bunong people who know them best.
If you’re comparing every option in the country, our guide to the best elephant sanctuary in Cambodia covers Siem Reap-based experiences too.”
Ready to Book the Mondulkiri Project?
We run tours every day of the week with pickup from Sen Monorom at 8:30am. We recommend booking at least a week ahead in peak season to secure your preferred dates.
Visiting both sanctuaries? Our guide to how many days to spend in Mondulkiri helps you plan an itinerary with time for each.
Book directly at mondulkiriproject.org — booking direct means more of your money goes to elephant welfare and our Bunong guides, not third-party platforms.
Mondulkiri Project is operated by CERO (Cambodia Elephant Rescue Organisation), a registered Cambodian NGO. Our four rescued elephants — Happy, Comvine, Princess and Rumkeurn — live in a protected forested valley outside Sen Monorom, guided by Bunong mahouts whose families have cared for elephants in Mondulkiri for generations.
