Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary is a project that spans 32,000 acres, on the edge of the Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary. This sanctuary is one of the largest protected areas in Cambodia and is home to several endangered species, including the giant ibis, banteng, Eld’s deer, sarus crane, monkeys, gibbons and several turtle species. Once densely forested and rich in biodiversity, this area has been significantly impacted by illegal logging and poaching. The project is focused on protecting and restoring the jungle, located an hour and half north of the famous Angkor Wat temple complex.
Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary provides a safe home in nature to rescued elephants, including two females, Di-Ploh and Sarai Mia, who have lived at the sanctuary for several years and are free to roam the jungle during the day, foraging on natural vegetation. In November 2020, they were joined by the now famous Kaavan, who was rescued from a zoo in Pakistan. It is wonderful to see this majestic bull elephant enjoying his life in nature with the freedom to explore his jungle home and do what comes naturally.
Di-Ploh
Di-Ploh was born in 1980. After a life in the logging industry, she was rescued from Mondulkiri Province, Cambodia in February 2017. It took her a while to adapt to her new life at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary. When she first arrived she took very long excursions and would sometimes walk beyond the safety of our extensive boundary. She has since settled into her home and happily spends her days wandering and foraging in the jungle. Di-Poh is quite an independent elephant and is generally calm and graceful. At this time, she is solitary in nature, and is enjoying her more natural life at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary.
Sarai-Mia
Sarai-Mia was born in 1992. She was rescued from logging in Mondulkiri Province, Cambodia in February 2017 at the same time as Di-Ploh. On arrival at CWS, Sarai-Mia met Arun Reah, with whom she became best friends. These 2 elephants were never far apart and displayed dramatic antics and vocalizations whenever they lost sight of one another in the forest. Sadly, Arun Reah passed away in September 2021, leaving her friend in mourning. Sarai-Mia is now enjoying a peaceful life, freely roaming throughout the sanctuary during the day, foraging on natural vegetation. She is full of energy and can often be very vocal when she is in a good mood.
Kaavan
Kaavan is a male Asian elephant who was born in 1985. On November 30 2020, the now famous Kaavan, dubbed ‘the loneliest elephant in the world’ arrived at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary. Rescued from deplorable conditions at the Islamabad zoo in Pakistan, he was flown to CWS thanks to the support of singer, Cher, Free the Wild, Four Paws, together with many other people and organizations who campaigned for Kaavan’s freedom. Kaavan is the first bull elephant to live at the sanctuary and is enjoying his new life exploring and foraging in his jungle home. Kaavan has now started the next chapter of his life – one with freedom, love and kindness.
Volunteer with Elephants
One-Week Program at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary
Join our one-week volunteer program at the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary for a unique and unforgettable experience with rescued elephants. Walk alongside these gentle giants as they roam freely through their natural jungle habitat, observing them foraging on native vegetation, drinking from ponds, and cooling off in the water. Volunteers help care for the elephants grass and sugarcane by cutting, preparing their food and cleaning their night shelters.
Depending on the season, volunteers also support reforestation efforts by collecting seeds, planting saplings, and tying blessed sashes around tree trunks to protect them from being cut down. In addition, volunteers assist in caring for other rescued animals at the sanctuary—including dogs, cats, and monkeys—as well as injured or orphaned wildlife, helping them recover before they are released back into their jungle home. Other volunteer activities include teaching English to young children at the sanctuary, supporting the sustainable farming of vegetables and fruit, and visiting the local market.
The ongoing support of volunteers is essential to the success of this project—helping to care for elephants and other rescued animals, while protecting and restoring this important natural habitat so it can continue to sustain a diverse range of wildlife for generations to come.
Join our eco-volunteer program and play a vital role in caring for rescued elephants while helping to protect and restore a beautiful wildlife reserve, ensuring it can support and sustain a diverse range of native species.
Volunteer Activities
- Observe the elephants wandering and foraging in the forest
- Take regular walks with the elephants through the jungle
- Wash and prepare food for the elephants
- Cut grass, cassava and banana trees for the elephants
- Prepare food and feed the monkeys
- Clean the elephant's night shelters
- Help with reforestation by planting saplings & tying sashes around trees
- Care for injured & orphaned animals until their release back to the wild
- Help care for the cats and dogs at the sanctuary
- Teach English to local children at the sanctuary
- Help with sustainable farming, making trails & minor construction projects
- Enjoy delicious vegetarian Thai / Khmer dishes freshly prepared daily
Volunteer Project Details
Number of Volunteers: 20
Number of Elephants: 3
Tour Type: One Week Volunteer
Fitness Level: Moderate
Age Suitability: Adults 18+
What's Included
- Round-trip transportation from hotel in Siem Reap to the sanctuary
- Clean on-site accommodation in wooden bungalows with twin beds and private attached bathrooms & cold water showers
- Three freshly prepared vegetarian buffet style meals per day
- Bottled drinking water, tea & coffee
- Qualified English speaking guide
- Free Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary t-shirt
Volunteer Project Price
Adults 18+: US$400 / 14,000 Baht per week
Book Weekly Volunteer Program
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Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary Review
I left beautiful Cambodia… after a 3 week solo trip built around 7 days volunteering at the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary. The fresh jungle air, the children’s laughter, community of kind people who live at the sanctuary and of course the animals made every day a new and exciting experience. We made food for the elephants and monkeys by cutting sugar cane, corn and grass and made rice balls and a cake for Kavaan the elephant. We helped clean out animal cages, planted trees and spent an afternoon teaching the local children. Our wonderful guide Sokchann was with us everyday - such a remarkable lady who cares deeply for the animals. I also need to mention the food as it was absolutely amazing - I ate way too much! If you get the chance please visit Cambodia and its kind and caring people such a beautiful country.
Short Visits
Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary
Single Day Visit / Overnight Trips
Visit Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary for a single day tour or an overnight trip (2 days/1 night) to experience observing rescued elephants wandering in their natural jungle habitat, foraging on native vegetation, expressing instinctive behaviors and enjoying a peaceful life.
Single Day Visit Itinerary
8:00-8:30 am – Pickup from your hotel in Siem Reap
10:00-10:30 am – Arrive at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary
10:30-12:00 pm – Meet our rescued female elephants in the jungle admiring them from a close but respectful distance, as they snack on banana stems and grass. Observe the elephants wandering in their natural habitat, foraging on native vegetation, drinking or cooling off in the ponds, and taking a mud bath. Spend time with the elephants in the jungle and enjoy watching them just being elephants.
12:00-1:00 pm – Delicious buffet vegetarian lunch
1:00-3:00 pm – Meet our other rescued elephants in their jungle home observing them from a close but respectful distance
3:00-3:45 pm – Prepare food for the elephants and monkeys and watch them eating their fruit
3:45-4:00 pm – Depart the sanctuary and return to Siem Reap
Single Day Visit - What's Included
- Transportation from hotel in Siem Reap to the sanctuary and back
- Freshly prepared vegan buffet style lunch
- Bottled drinking water, tea & coffee
- Qualified English speaking guide
Single Day Visit Price
Adults 12+: US$120 / 4,200 B
Children 4-11 years old: US$60 / 2,100 B
* Price includes transportation from Siem Reap to CWS & back to your hotel
Overnight Trip Itinerary
Day One same as Single Day Visit
4:00-6:00 pm – Free time, take shower, spend time with the dogs & cats
6:00-7:00 pm – Delicious vegetarian buffet style dinner
7:00-8:00 pm – Watch documentary about Kaavan
Day Two
7:00-8:00 am – Buffet style vegan breakfast
8:00-10:00 am – Take a walk with the elephants in the jungle. Learn about what elephants like to eat in the wild and spend meaningful time with them in the forest, observing their behaviors and daily rituals from a close but respectful distance.
10:00-12:00 pm – Make rice banana health balls from natural ingredients and watch the elephants enjoying their treats
12:00-1:00 pm – Delicious vegetarian buffet style lunch
1:00-1:30 pm – Back your bags, depart sanctuary and return to Siem Reap
3:00-3:30 pm – Drop off at your hotel in Siem Reap
Overnight Trip - What's Included
- Transportation from hotel in Siem Reap to the sanctuary and back
- Clean on-site accommodation in wooden bungalows with private attached bathrooms & cold water showers
- Vegetarian buffet style meals (lunch x 2, dinner x 1, breakfast x 1)
- Bottled drinking water, tea & coffee
- Qualified English speaking guide
Overnight Trip Price
Adults 12+: US$160 / 5,600 B
Children 4-11 years old: US$80 / 2,800 B
* Price includes transportation from Siem Reap to CWS & back to your hotel
Single Day Visit / Overnight Trip Tour Details
Number of Guests: 12
Tour Type: Single Day Visit / Overnight Trip
Fitness Level: Moderate
Age Suitability: Adults & Children 4+
When booking online you will be requested to pay a 30% deposit in Thai Baht and can pay the balance owing in US dollars or Cambodian Riel on arrival at the sanctuary
Thank You for Your Kind Support
Visitors and volunteers play an important role in helping to support our work caring for rescued elephants and other animals
The Rescue of Kaavan
On the 29th November, Kaavan, a bull elephant who had spent 3 decades in a zoo in Islamabad, Pakistan, was rescued and brought to live at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary. Kaavan, who was captured from the wild, was sent to Pakistan as gift from the Sri Lankan government when he was just one year old. At the age of six he was joined by a female elephant from Bangladesh, named Saheli, who he lived with for the next 22 years before her death in 2012. Kaavan was deeply saddened by the passing of his friend and became more stressed, aggressive, and depressed. Living alone and often chained, Kaavan’s condition and health deteriorated and he became known as the world’s loneliest elephant.
A student in Pakistan, Dr Samar Khan became aware of Kaavan’s plight, which started a long struggle to free Kaavan from his life of suffering. When American pop star, Cher heard about Kaavan, she and her organization, Free the Wild, began campaigning for Kaavan, and in 2020 the Islamabad High Court ruled that Kaavan should be relocated. With the help of Four Paws and Free The Wild, Kaavan was moved to Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary, where for the first time in many years, he was able to meet and interact with other elephants.
Thanks to the support of many NGO’s, a temporary enclosure was built for Kaavan, while his larger jungle home was under construction. Kaavan has adjusted well to his new life at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary. On July 15, 2021 Kaavan moved to his new jungle home where he finally has the chance to roam, forage, and just be an elephant again. Thank you to Cher, Saengduean Lek Chailert, Darrick Thomson, David Casselman and all the people and organisations that helped to rescue Kaavan and who supported the construction of Kaavan’s jungle home at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary.
Kaavan at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary
When Kaavan first came to live at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary he stayed in a large temporary enclosure while his new jungle home was being built.
Kaavan in his Jungle Home
Photographs courtesy of Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary | © Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary
Many news organizations covered the rescue of Kaavan and a documentary was made by the Smithsonian Institute, featuring Cher and Kaavan’s story
Elephants at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary
Volunteers at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary
Location, Accomodation & Meals
About Your Volunteer Program
Start: Monday – 8:00am–8:30am – pick up from your hotel / accommodation in Siem Reap.
Travel Time: Around 1.5 – 2 hours from Siem Reap.
Return: Sunday – after lunch you will be transported to Siem Reap.
Duration: Most volunteers choose to stay for 1 week but volunteer stays of up to 3 weeks are welcome. The one-week volunteer program starts on Monday and end on Sunday.
Accommodation: Clean on-site accommodation in wooden bungalows with beds and mosquito nets, en suite bathrooms (cold water). Mains power and WiFi is available and there is a washing machine at the sanctuary also. You may possibly need to share your bungalow with one other volunteer of the same gender.
Baggage / Luggage Allowance: One standard check-in sized rucksack / suitcase / bag & one day pack per person.
What to Bring: Overnight bag with change of clothes for 7 days, long pants and long-sleeve shirts, t-shirts, shorts, gardening gloves, hat, sunscreen, walking shoes, sandals/flip flops, towel, camera, insect repellent, flashlight, refillable water, bottle, personal toiletries, and personal medication. *Bring clothing and items suitable for wet weather if visiting in the rainy season (June – Oct). If visiting in the cool season (Nov – Feb), bring some clothing suitable for cold weather. If you would like to bring items for the local school students such as pens, coloring pencils, notebooks, games, toys, etc. they will be much appreciated.
Travel Insurance: Volunteers are required to have travel insurance covering medical expenses and emergency repatriation.
Vaccinations: Please contact your doctor or a vaccination center for details on recommended vaccinations.
Operational Months: All year round.
Age Suitability: Adults over 16 years old.
Fitness Level: Moderate – capable of walking through the jungle with the elephants, helping to cut and prepare food for them and working on various projects designed to benefit the lives of the elephants and other rescued animals.
Topography: Jungle, grassland & ponds.
Location: 100km north of Siem Reap, home to the ancient Angkor Wat temple complex, Cambodia.
Nearest Airport: Siem Reap (REP) – we recommend you stay in Siem Reap on Sunday night before your volunteer week begins.
Visa Requirements: Cambodia currently offers a 30 day visa on arrival. If you intend to stay longer, you must apply for an extension – travel agents also provide this service.
Booking Details: Bookings close 3 days before you are due to visit this project. When booking online a 30% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your booking. The balance owing can be paid in US dollars or Cambodian Riel on arrival at the sanctuary on Monday morning – the day your stay commences. Please note that you can withdraw US dollars from ATM’s in Cambodia. On arrival at the project you will be required to complete an insurance form and provide a copy of your passport.
Ethical Elephant Volunteer Project
This is a small Saddle Off volunteer project with a limited number of guests. Our model is based on ensuring the well-being of the elephants, which means no riding or other unnatural activities.
Support the Elephants at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary
Life During Covid at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary
At the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary was home to three beautiful female elephants—Di-Poh, Arun Reah, and Sarai Mia. Sadly, Arun Reah, a senior elephant, passed away suddenly in October 2021. Before the pandemic, volunteers regularly visited the sanctuary to help care for the elephants and support the many other rescued animals living there. However, for nearly two years, Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary remained closed to visitors and volunteers. During this time the elephants spent their days foraging in the jungle, cooling off in the ponds, and were joined by Kaavan—a bull elephant rescued in November 2020.
