Discovering Mondulkiri
The original ‘wild east’ of Cambodia, Mondulkiri is a stark contrast to the lowlands of the country. Carpeted in lush, dense jungle—inhabited by rich and exotic wildlife—Mondulkiri will make you feel worlds apart from the more arid regions that lay at the heart of the Kingdom. The differences are not just climatic or geographic: culturally, Mondulkiri is also a whole new world, with a population made up almost entirely of indigenous people.
Mondulkiri means ‘Meeting of the Hills’, an apt name for a land of verdant, undulating landscape. Bordering the provinces of Kratié to the west, Stung Treng to the northwest, Ratanakiri to the north and the country of Vietnam to the east and south, it is the most sparsely populated province in the country, despite being the largest in land area.
Your journey into Mondulkiri will most likely start at Sen Monorom, the provincial capital and Mondulkiri’s logistic hub. Two serene lakes welcome travellers to the centre of town. The area around the city is peppered with awe-inspiring waterfalls and temples from which to contemplate breathtaking views of the surroundings. Many of the local tribespeople—such as the Bunong—come to Sen Monorom to trade, and the markets during the early morning are a picturesque sight to behold.
Nature-lovers and adventure-seekers will be thrilled by the number of trekking routes available throughout the province, many of them passing or ending in roaring waterfalls. Indulge in a relaxed picnic sitting in the surrounding forested areas, or cool down in the natural pools where they discharge. Indeed, waterfall-spotting is a popular activity in the area: some of the most popular ones are Monorom Falls, Bou Sraa Waterfalls and Chrey Thom Waterfalls.
For a dose of cultural stimulation, visit one of the Bunong villages scattered around the province. In these indigenous settlements, you will come face to face with the traditional ways of life and architecture of the Bunong people. Having lived in the area for thousands of years, the Bunong have developed a symbiotic relationship with their surroundings, and have become expert elephant handlers. Ask someone for a ride on one of these gigantic mammals; riding an elephant through the lush greenery of the Mondulkiri jungle is one that every traveller to the area must experience .
Another activity that must not passed up during a stay in Mondulkiri is a trip to the Seima Protection Forest, which hosts the country’s greatest trove of mammalian wildlife. Black-shanked doucs, yellow-cheeked crested gibbons and more than half of the total population of elephants in the Kingdom are just some of the treasures that await the traveller. The bird life is also impressive, and the jungle here is lusher and denser than in the rest of province.
Come to Mondulkiri and you will find the adventure and closeness to nature that you crave. With a never-ending assortment of gripping hikes, limitless possibilities for spotting exotic wildlife, and luscious, untouched nature, Mondulkiri will be one of the highlights of your trip to Cambodia.
