Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MONDULKIRI PROVINCE
A world apart from lowland Cambodia, Mondulkiri Province is the original Wild East of
the country. Climatically and culturally, it's also another world, which comes as a relief
after the heat of the plains. Home to the hardy Bunong (Pnong) people and their noble ele-
phants, it is possible to visit traditional villages and learn about elephants in their element
at the Elephant Valley Project. The landscape is a seductive mix of pine clumps, grassy
hills and windswept valleys that fade beguilingly into forests of jade green and hidden wa-
terfalls. Wild animals, such as bears, leopards and especially elephants, are more numerous
here than elsewhere, although sightings are usually limited to birds, monkeys and the occa-
sional wild pig.
Mondulkiri means 'Meeting of the Hills', an apt sobriquet for a land of rolling hills. In
the dry season it is a little like Wales with sunshine; in the wet season, like Tasmania with
more rain. At an average elevation of 800m, it can get quite chilly at night, so carry
something warm.
Mondulkiri is the most sparsely populated province in the country, with just four people
per square kilometre. Almost half the inhabitants come from the Bunong minority group,
with other minorities making up much of the rest of the population. Hunting remains the
profession of choice for many minorities.
Conservationists have grand plans for the province, creating wildlife sanctuaries and ini-
tiating sustainable tourism activities, but are facing off against speculators and industrialists
queuing up for natural resources.
