About Mondulkiri Province

Mondulkiri province is a magical place, full of great natural beauty and untamed landscapes. It is the most sparsely populated province in Cambodia, despite being the largest in land area. With miles of lush rolling hills, majestic waterfalls and some of the largest protected forest areas in the country. The variety of plant and wildlife species is astounding, with new evidence of extremely rare and some newly discovered species. Great conservation efforts are being made and the promotion of ecotourism can hopefully keep the area clean and green.

When is the best time to visit Mondulkiri ?

Being a hill station, the Mondulkiri highlands offer a unique climate and seasonal cycle very different the elsewhere in Cambodia.  The Sen Monorom highlands area offers a comfortable break from the tropical heat of Cambodia all year round. You will probably enjoy the fresg air and sleeping comfortably with no need for a A/C or fan. Don’t forget to bring a light jumper / fleece to wear on cooler nights.

The Seasonal Cycle Of Mondulkiri

November – Febuary: In Mondulkiri autumn, some trees start shedding their leafs. the north east wind starts blowing onto the hills, slowly drying up the landscape before the next spring rains. Wild grass fires are common at this time of year, you can often see them in the distance, lighting up Mondulkiri’s cold winters nights.

March – July:  In early spring the first rains color the grass lands fresh green, early summer rains help cool the hottest time of the year. Many wild fruits and flowers attract a variety of colorful birds and butterflies, making it the best season for bird watchers. Most major festivals and weddings are held during this season and the harvest avocado begins in May. Mondulkiri is the only place in Cambodia cool enough for growing avocados.
August – October: The monsoon rains peak from mid August till the end of September. The rivers swell and feed all Waterfalls into full force. Now, that the road is complete, You can easily visit Mondulkiri all year gound.

The Bunong people - Mondulkiri's Indigenous People.
The Bunong people have been living in the hills and jungles of Mondulkiri for centuries, their unique culture includes a tradition of taming wild elephants for work and transportation. No one knows how long ago this custom had began. In fact, the Bunong themselves are an anthropological mystery, their origin not clear. They speak an independent Bunong dialect, which is only slightly influenced by Khmer language. The Bunong practice an ancient, animist religion. Spirits can be seen as a reason for both luck or misfortune.

If you would like to read more about the Bunong peple. You can download a copy of The “Bunong caretakers of the Cambodia’s ancient forest” here.

The Complete Travel Guide To Mondulkiri

Cambodia Travel Tip:
When getting of the bus in Cambodia,   Some pushy tourist touts will wait at the bus stop, offering accommodation and other services.
These touts will usually bring you to a guest house and get daily commission.. It is recommended to skip any touts that are trying to offer \ sell you something as you got off the bus - especially if they're offering free rides etc',  It's better to take a random moto to your destination.   Beware of unregulated tour guides on the streets - there have been scams and harassment by freelancing guides.  Only book tours at a guest house or agency with a proper address - not on the street.

From Phnom Penh to Mondulkiri:
You will start driving north on highway 7 which has a connection to the Mondulkiri Highway 76 in a small town called Snoul.  Sen Monorom is 512 km away from Phnom Penh. It usually takes 6 – 8 hours to cover, depending on speed and season. The road completely upgraded and paved.

By Public Bus:
Rith Mony bus service has a direct line to Sen Monorom. Taking  the bus, you will have your own seat. But it is much slower then other means of transport as it often stops along the way.
Where? The Rith Mony company’s station 137 CD St. 118. You can also catch the bus as it drives out of Phnom Penh ( in front of Calamette hospital).
Cost: R 35000 ( $ 8.75 ).
When? buses depart daily at 7 30 am.

Minibus / shared taxi / pick up trucks:
The fastest way to get to Sen Monorom is by shared taxi.  Mini buses are also available. You must remember that in Cambodia , it's considered normal to share the front seat between 2 passengers, the back seat between four. If you need some more space to yourself, you can always buy an extra seat.
Where? The Mondulkiri taxi station is on street #80 ( see map).
When? All transport leaves from Phnom Penh daily between 7 – 8 am.
Cost: Tickets are at the moment between R35,000 – 50,000 ($ 8.75 – 12.5 ). prices go up and down a little along with shifting fuel prices. All Taxies / vans can be chartered for the journey. A Toyota Camri can be charted for $80. For reservations call 012 230 272 / 011 49 44 49.

From Siam Riep To Mondulkiri
From Siam Riep there’s no direct transport to Sen Monorom, it is best to first travel to Kampong Cham and catch onward transport the following morning. However, it is possible to travel from Sen Monorom to Siam Riep in one day. You need to get off at the junction in Skun and then catch another bus going to Siam Riep.

From Kratie To Mondulkiri
There is a single direct mini bus leaving daily from Kratie to Sen Monorom. You can also take any bus from Kratie to Phnom Penh, get off at a town called Snoul and then catch the Mondulkiri bus there, the bus / mini bus would arrive at Snoul around 12 - 1 pm.

Visiting Mondulkiri on public holidays:
Cambodia is blessed with many festivals and public holidays. The Khmers love to go touring on these occasions. Sen Monorom, which usually has many vacancies is sometimes completely booked up. Travelers can expect higher rates on accommodation and tickets –as well as the lack of some services.

From Ratanakiri To Mondulkiri
The road from Ban Lung continues south until Lumpat district, from there to Koh Niek it is basically just a path in the jungle.
It is  possible though, to hire moto drivers to do this route, it's takes a whole day and they usually charge around US 50-60. Otherwise, you can also take the bus from Ratanakiri to Phnom Penh, get off at a town called Snoul and catch the Mondulkiri bus there.