Shinta Mani Wild

Welcome to Shinta Mani Wild – a radical new fusion of world-class design, all-inclusive hospitality and conservation, where your stay makes a real difference in protecting unique and endangered species.

Sustainability informs everything we do, hence our partnership with the Wildlife Alliance. Our adventurous team is constantly out in the environment exploring and developing new experiences at Wild.

Join them and immerse yourself in the magic of discovery with our wildly enthusiastic Adventure Butlers, each of whom specializes in a particular study or sport to help you understand one of the most beautiful places on the face of the planet.

TENTS
We have created 15 private tents promising the utmost comfort and luxury with breathtaking views along the riverbank. Each location was meticulously planned over a seven year period by a process of minimal intervention and understanding the idiosyncracies of the river valley.

THE WILDLIFE ALLIANCE TENT
Just north of Headquarters and the Raging Big Sister Falls floats tent #6 over the widest but shallow tributary #3. The approach is spectacular. One strolls just above shallow rapids (monsoon season) on a succession of narrow wooden walkways that dances around this part of the jungle that thrives on wet roots. The Jungle Capsule with simple doubled bedded accommodation works well as an add-on to this tent.

THE TERRAPINS TENT
The Royal Cambodian Terrapin not too long ago was thought to be extinct. Recently we have spotted this handsome turtle, just once, at the Srey ambel estuary.

THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TENT
Nestled in a rocky gorge at the base of Raging Middle Sister Falls; This tent has the most dramatic positioning.

FOOD & DRINK 
Every afternoon, a gardener or chef from Headquarters leaves his apron or kitchen whites behind and sets out on one of Wild’s winding gravel paths on a foraging trip. He’ll comb the jungle and streams for the edible treasures hidden beneath scrubby bushes and between gnarled branches.

The result is a medley of herbs and other delights: shoots of bamboo, mangosteens, wild potatoes, figs, waterlily, fresh mud crabs and even red ants—a zesty delicacy. It’s the local way. This job of foraging brings work for yet more local community member, including former loggers from surrounding villagers.

We’ve hired them as part of our landscaping and kitchen teams, so we’re helping to prevent more deforestation and also gaining such valuable, intimate knowledge on what we can use in the kitchen. These guys knows the forest like the back of their hands.

THE HEADQUARTERS 
The Headquarters are the home of dining at Shinta Mani Wild. Be it a quick breakfast before your sunrise hike, or a leisurely foraged dinner, no Headquarter experience is alike!

Every meal is carefully curated by our chefs to introduce you to something unknown, and add to the adventure. Guests will enjoy the freshest seasonal ingredients that Cambodia has to offer, many of them picked by our team in the surrounding forest. The dining possibilities at Wild are endless, whether you’re eating at headquarters, on the lawn, at the Cistern, or having a waterfall picnic.

The dining experience is just as spontaneous, with local fare inspiring the rotating menu boards which change daily, whether guests are exploring curries from across Southern Asia, learning how to make dumplings from 7 different countries, or participating in a camp favorite: a wild foraged dinner.

THE LANDING ZONE BAR
Expect jaw-dropping views and a tempting drink list, enjoyed over the Big Raging Sister Waterfall. Settle into vintage French chairs, cocktails in hand, complete with ingredients plucked from the camp’s backyard, as well as Wild’s in-house apothecary-style bitters, and our Master mixologist’s techniques.

If you’d like a cocktail making class to learn the ins and outs of the perfect Negroni, or for your own signature cocktail, just ask! You could also zipline to the bar, should walking seem a little pedestrian. Above the bar you will find a leaping vintage carousel horse I found in Wales.

Quirky? Naturally. I believe every self respecting bar should have a rather large bell to announce events like happy hour or closing (even though Wild never closes and it is always happy hour).

I added a bell onto the belly of the horse, complete with a colorful rope from which dangle Cambodian fertility symbols. The bell ring brings the bar to the proper level of unhinged! After a successful Zip it is THE age old Wild Tradition to whole-heartedly imbibe a libation.

It is especially for Zipvirgins after completing their voyage across the face of the Raging Big Sister, which is publicly heralded by striking the white horse’s bronze bell! For a second Wild Tradition, find the big painted wooden propeller…It is a very very dangerous drinking game, not for the weak-hearted. Wild is as Wild does. We welcome you to invent your own tradition!

SPA & WELLNESS
Indulge in pampering treatments at our signature Spa, Khmer Tonics. The spa’s two treatment rooms are nestled amid giant natural rocks perched in the forest canopy. Sensibly the design takes its cues from the forest, with plenty of wood and stone.

The river takes center stage, have a river-stone foot massage while soaking in a waterfall pool or have therapists visit your tent for a treatment in on your balcony with the river rushing below. Please know that all spa treatments are on us!

The refined treatment menu celebrates Cambodia with chemical-free tonics made from a unique mix of medicinal plants, herbs and spices all of which are present in the surrounding rainforest. Guests can experience the traditional Khmer art of healing during a full body massage which employs a range of acupuncture techniques and passive stretching.

The spa offering, which also includes natural heat healing, a full-body scrub and a detoxifying facial, can be enjoyed anywhere guests desire, whether that be on the deck of their tent, atop a peak in the jungle or aboard a custom Bensley expedition boat. Unlimited spa treatments are included in the room rate at no extra charge.

JANUARY & FEBRUARY
There is a chill in the dry night air that make sundowners, campfires and massages, on the most northern stone riverbed a delight. Butterfly season is full on and continues through March.

FROM MARCH TO MAY
The Khmer New Year sees low water levels that make many areas more accessible to mountain biking and hiking deeper into the rainforest. This season sees a trickle in the river rise a 1/2 meter and we are grateful for the odd 15 minute showers that cool and refreshes our jungle valley. I love zip-lining in the rain! Our trips out to the Srey ambel estuary on Our 3 yachts; Big Sister, Raging Sister and The Silly Sister!

JUNE & JULY
We sit at the southernmost position of the enormous 5 million acres Cardamom Forest and her southern catchment area… all the mist, rain, monsoons of this park dances through Shinta Mani Wild. One can witness a torrential outpouring and our 17 intermittent rivers and streams come alive.

Trees begin to fruit and that attracts the birds. Some years we our favorite visitors reappear… a herd of wild elephants. The southern stretches of the Tmor Rung River have ample water to facilitate fantastic kayaking for bird watching.

The many drongos and kingfishers are just delightful. This a great time for foraging as well. I love to visit the acacia forests to forage for delicious pink mushrooms which a slightly bitter but delicious taste. Try popping the pink mushrooms into an egg white omelette with a mozzarella and red capsicum!

FROM AUGUST TO OCTOBER
In our valley we have three major waterfalls that the locals call The Raging Sisters. This is my favorite time of the year as our three Raging Sister Falls bulk up by at least a multiple of ten. Raging Big Sister Falls produces a mountain of mist.

The shear power of unbridled water is mesmerizing. While we know that the Pileated Gibbons do not have a preferred mating season, it seems as though this season they are especially vocal in the early mornings.

It seems like their calls to establish their territorial boundaries are louder and more serious. Sometimes we take sundowners to the Northern fields where the forests open up to reveal much larger views than our southern jungles. In the rainforest one can find orchid flowers all year round but I have found that this season tends to be the best.

NOVEMBER & DECEMBER
The cry of the Raging Sisters calms and a great season for swimming in the river begins. At Srey Ambel estuary remote sandy beaches for picnics, and sun worshipers avail themselves.

Tulga, our visiting Mongolian fishing guide, is in residence and is on standby for those keen to learn to fly fishing Tenkara style. Lepidopterologist and Head-butler Bong Mac is ready to guide you as this is the beginning of the butterfly season.

ACTIVITIES & EXPERIENCES
Three days is the minimum stay at action-packed Shinta Mani Wild, but it’s still way too short a time to reasonably experience this luxurious jungle retreat and conservation project. The Wild adventure begins the moment you step into a 1960s-era army jeep and head off-road. And if you think that’s exciting, wait until you enter the camp itself—speeding in via zip line.

BIRDWATCHING
During the migratory season when birds are making their bi-annual pilgrimages you have a good chance to spot numerous rainforest and wet land dwelling species on all of your adventures.

MOUNTAIN BIKING
WILD and the surrounding jungles have mountain biking opportunities for riders of all skill levels. Looking for a virgin run on forest single track or perhaps a less arduous ride through a Khmer village, our adventure butlers love getting out on two wheels.

About an hour drive from the Camp is the Kirirom Reservoir that offers a challenging uphill ride and an exhilarating downhill sprint. Combine mounting biking with your estuarine adventure boat expedition to remove the drive.

HIKING
The 800 acres that comprises WILD sits within the 4.5 million acres of the Southern Cardamom National Park. The opportunities are endless and are only limited by what you want to do.

From easy walks on riverside trails on the WILD property to full day, hardcore slogs into the Cardamom interior our Bensley Adventure Rangers will happily guide you on the adventure of your choosing. These guys crave adventure so don’t be shy to challenge them and yourselves.

FORAGING & COOKING CLASS
Discover and taste Cambodia’s natural larder in the company of our wild foragers; All of whom are reformed poachers and loggers and accustomed to living off the rain forest when camping out in the jungle as part of their past professions.

The WILD foragers will guide you through the forest on a daily forage explaining and tasting ingredients and some unexpected flavors. Chef will be grateful for the help in filling his basket of goodies for the Wild foraged tasting dinner.

EXPEDITION BOATS
Nautical types can take to the water aboard our custom built expedition boat, ideal for exploring the secret backwaters of the upper Srey Ambel Estuary and connecting waterways. NOTE: This experience is dependent upon the water level. During monsoon rains the river becomes too high to safely navigate.

Traverse the secret estuary backwaters on custom designed luxurious six meter pontoon-style expedition boats. Each boat comes with a fully-equipped bar, daybed, kayaks, toilet, a top deck with sun loungers and a Bensley Adventure Butler.

Guests can drop anchor wherever they please, whether to explore the narrow estuarine channels by kayak and enjoy a truly wild alfresco picnic. Enjoy a day exploring this vast and diverse wild area.

CAMERA TRAPPING
Join the camp’s resident naturalist on a walk to check camera traps and gibbon stations as they collect data on the densities of certain species that call WILD home.

BUTTERFLY IDENTIFICATION
The WILD Sanctuary is home to over 140 species of butterflies, some that congregate in a flutter numbering in the hundreds – a colorful feast for the senses. Head Bensley Butler and butterfly lover Bong Mac will guide you on this property hike so that he can share his passion for butterflies with you.

ZIPLINING
Climb Eastern Tower’s 102 steps, don the zip line equipment, and clip into a double cable for extra safety, and after the safety briefing, fly… at upwards of 50 kmph for 400 meters, over the Butterfly tent and the first crossing of our Tmor Rung River to land at the West Tower. Fly in the face of Raging Big Sister Falls, before landing at the Landing Zone Bar where you’ll be handed a gin and tonic.

KAYAKING
The Southern Cardamom rainforest has some of the highest annual rainfall in south east asia. All that water drains off to the Gulf of Thailand through a massive system of rivers and estuaries creating many opportunities for flat water kayaking.

NOTE: This experience is dependent upon the water level. During monsoon rains the river becomes too high to safely navigate. We have explored this region for several years now and have only scratched the surface of the different kayaking routes available.

Your best opportunities for bird watching are along these barely used routes where the rare encounter with a fisherman will surely be a surprise and delight. Your options are only limited by water levels and your curiosity.

TENKARA FISHING
Spend a few hours fishing in the many streams at our Wild sanctuary as you contemplate the beauty of the forest. All fishing is strictly catch and release. Tolga, Bensley’s personal fly fishing guide whenever Bensley visits Mongolia, is only at Wild every December and January.

TAILGATE SUNDOWNERS
Golden hour cocktails on a big flat stone in the middle of the river are an unforgettable experience. But knowing that the martinis and massages and merriment all exist to help save the forest… that is priceless.

SWIMMING AT THE CISTERN
As the DNA of this camp is a 1967 King Sihanouk expedition, a concrete tiled swimming pool would have looked out of place. But a cistern, where gin clear ground water was stored, makes sense. A 33 meter long swimming hole painted steel jet black so that it would reflect the forest all around.

PICNICS AT WATERFALLS
Don’t let the restaurant confine you, all of WILD is your picnic and our team of adventure butlers are ready to whip up a gourmet feast in the many of our dramatic alcoves.

JOIN AN ANTI-POACHING PATROL
Daily, our rangers seize far too many snares, which can kill nearly any animal, including young elephants. Sometimes WA rescues live animals from the many snares; other times they must tally the count of dead wildlife.

They travel in groups of 2-8 and are armed, as they run loggers out of their makeshift camps, confiscate homemade guns, chainsaws, and the like. They are the real deal.

The reason for Shinta Mani Wild’s existence is to create a sustainable way to patrol and defend these beautiful forests and their wildlife. Please do join the rangers on motorbike for 2-6 hours depending on your stamina, and prepare for an eye opening experience you will remember for the rest of your life.

RANGER STATION
Shinta Mani Wild has built an on-site ranger station for Wildlife Alliance at the end of the track, at the highest camp in the valley. You are more than welcome to visit! Wild also pays for all of the rangers expenses and equipment. As you will learn, the battle, and it is a battle, to keep the Cardamoms from becoming just another empty forest is never ending and at times disheartening.

ALERT & RESPONSE
Our goal is two more ranger stations, as well as two more groups of ranger soldiers north of our Wild base camp, as these areas are also under threat of poaching and logging.

We use a number of new inventions including daily areal patrols using state of the art drones as well as a network of informants in the local communities. Through these we are able to detect, in real time, rangers are alerted WA can respond quickly and stop the villains.

MAKE A DONATION
If you are interested to help us expand our sphere of protected areas, or want to buy a listening device to help us catch the bad guys

CONSERVATION
Some of Cambodia’s, and the world’s, most endangered species still call the Cardamom mountains home, including 54 animals on the IUCN Red List. But as the forest cover disappears, so does the wildlife. It will take major conservancy of the evergreen forest for these fabulous residents to thrive again, but that is the goal at Shinta Mani Wild.

Wild by name, wild by nature… Shinta Mani Wild occupies a pristine 865 acres river valley on the southern border of the Cardamom National Forest. In 2010 Sokoun Chanpreda and I, Bill Bensley, purchased this concession in the park with no intentions of destroying it, but without a clear vision of what to do with it. It was a “Buy first, think later” moment.

For years we just visited the valley trying to understand it and get a handle on what to do with it, and in the process went down a few wrong paths.

We began to understand the serious threats of logging as we saw bullock carts of hardwoods leaving the site. Duh! Putting up a tall Trumpian wall all around the park so that it could regenerate properly was one great idealistic option, but despite our pleads, Donald would not come up with the cash.

The idea of a small camp was not a new one as I had a very successful experience designing the Four Seasons Golden Triangle Elephant Camp of Chiang Rai, Thailand. Our good teammate, Jason Friedman, opened that camp as GM so we thought well why the hell not? But if we do, it must rock, and make industry waves as that was the only way to get travellers to these parts unknown.

The industry disrupting idea of a high yield low impact camp, with the main mission being a sustainable way to support the policing of the forest via Wildlife Alliance, seemingly is getting traction.

You would think that maintaining just 15 tents, cooking a bit of food, and going for the occasional bike ride might require a handful of staff? Well in fact, we employ about 120 good folks, 70% are from the local village and some of those were poaching and illegally cutting trees.

Shinta Mani Wild does not have any single use plastics, including much of our back of house supply chain which is even more difficult to do. We bottle our own water and use recycled containers.

Rooms: 15

Price: from 2.161 EUR per night

Source: www.bensleycollection.com