This is our experience at one of Cambodia’s most luxurious and at the same time, most adventuous properties, which is rare to hear those two descriptions as a combination so yes read on to find out what makes ‘Wild’ just so special based on our two night stay which took place in December.
Shinta Mani Wild is set in a river valley of 350 hectares and the camp with 15 tents runs along 1.5k of river and waterfalls, they have a big focus on luxury, adventure and conservation.. Each tent is absolutely unique and we were staying in area 6 which has two so focused on families and the perfect home in the jungle. The tents were designed by acclaimed architect Bill Bensley to be completely private too so you really feel nice and secluded in our own little…or rather large adventure during your stay.
An epic check in
Ad From the moment we arrived we knew the stay would be something special, picked up at the gate in a jeep, led down a jungle path, and you take two epic zip lines over the canopy and a waterfall straight into check in and your welcome…
From the very first moment from turning off the road and onto the dirt track, with the dense forest and mountains backdrop we knew it was going to be special. Since opening in 2018 this hotel has become a very well known experience in cambodia for its special features. We were here to have a taste with a two night stay as a family of four, their youngest age they take on is 10 so with our two daughters of 10 and 13 we were all set.
We reached the gate to the estate and were then picked up by 4×4 to the delight of the kids and were greeted with a big smile and welcome from Maisin who would be our Bensley butler for our stay. During the stay guests have their own butler to ensure you have the best time possible with anything you need. More on that later!
Driving down the narrow forest pathway in the 4×4 our 13 year old daughter and I were dropped off by a clearing for what would be the most unique and fun check in we’ve experienced. In advance of your stay you are given a choice, you can either get driven all the way to HQ and check in by 4×4 or…this way
So a few minutes walk through forest, we then climbed a large tower dominating the woodland skyline, up and up and the views over the canopy got better as we got higher. Maisin accompanying us all the way and explaining. At the very top, another staff member and safety gear for an epic Zipline over the forest! They have 102 steps to the top and they clip you into a double cable for extra safety before flying at upwards of 50 kmph for 400 meters
Off we went, an exhiliarting flight before then landing being guided over platforms over treetops before then doing yet another zipline to my surprise and this time although not as long, the views and backdrop were even better, past and over a raging waterfall and then straight into HQ where a welcome drink awaited.
The final stages of checking in sitting down with our welcome drink we’re checking out our personalised eternity of activities for our stay set out on a scroll which also had a map on the back of the huge site. Activities planned included sundowner drinks on a river bed, a river cruise, camera trapping with the head naturalist amongst others.
Each set of guests that stay have their own ‘Bensley butler during their stay and our brilliantly friendly and enthusiastic Masin picked some epic experiences to suit us as a family and in the first afternoon alone we packed it in and had such unique family activities we can’t wait for more.
At Shinta mani wild they have a big focus on pushing guests outside of their normal boundaries and from the check in experience and planned activities we certainly see that it was for the more adventurist guest !
The accommodation – The Wildlife Alliance tent
Getting to and from our tented camp felt like a mini adventure in itself, heading from the HQ and then through narrow pathways through the forest, in the evenings the staff at HQ can accompany you with torches too. After a short walk through the trees we came to a board walk over a wide tributary which actually goes all underneath the board walk and the camp which is on stilts. The primary camp where families stay is the Wildlife alliance tent. This is a main camp and then a jungle capsule which is an add on in your own private area.
The minibar of dreams with lots of surprises. Protein ball, homemade granola bars, and a full array of spirits, cocktail garnishess and cocktail making set to relax with a drink to the sounds of the forest and flowing water all around.
One morning consisted of putting connecting spotify from my phone to the speaker in the room which looked like a vintage radio, music playing, then proceeded to a coffee followed by a bubble bath outside on the terrace looking up at the forest canopy with the morning sounds.
An expedition Boat Ride
One of the amazing excursions you can take whilst staying at Wild is out on to the river on a custom made craft on Srey Ambel Estruary. We hopped in a jeep from HQ and it took around 30-45 minutes to get to the jetty where their custom designed expedition pontoons await. They feature a full bar, daybeds, toilets and a top deck with sun lounger.
We set off down the serene river and although it was a grey day, the temperature was nice and warm to enjoy the gentle breeze as we cruised down whilst snacking on some snacks and drinks provided by out bensley butler.
We were given binoculars and a bird watching book to spot do some bird spotting from the comfort of our craft, as well as monkeys swinging in the riverside canopy. There are six different kingfishers which are native to the area as an example of what birds you can spot. We stopped after a short while at a sandback for a swim in the warm water and a go on the kayaking which the two staff member dettached from the side of the craft. It was so quiet on the river we only saw a sole fishing boat with a wife and husband smiling and waving as we passed. A memorable day out on the waters of Cambodia.
Sundowner drinks
Golden hour tipples on a rock above a roaring river — this is the Wild way to do drinks.
Hopping in jeeps in the late afternoon from HQ and a bumpy 10 minute drive or so, we pulled up on a verge next to the riverside, heading down a bank and over a single narrow wooden bridge over rushing water, was a large area on a rock surface surrounded all by the river. There was a lot to take in as the sun was setting down for the evening, a roaring campfire, a fully stocked bar with barman at the ready, canapes being served, chairs all around in a semi circle with a natural ice bucket with drinks of a large hole in the rock surface. To top it off they had massage cushions with two friendly massuers from HQ if you wanted a foot massage etc.
The idea of the chairs together is a sense of unity as a camp to meet fellow guests and hear their stories which is a nice idea as everyone that stays at Wild definitely connects on that same sense of seeking adventure. Once the sun had fully set and the dark night sky came in we headed back to HQ for dinner, not before toasting some marshmellows on the campfire of course…
Meals at HQ
Meals at Wild are served at HQ which is the large tented camp building with views of the waterfall from the terrace, plenty of options for seating from the covered area with more formal seating for a longer sit down meal to more casual seating like cushion seating on wooden platforms and netting right by the banks edge down to the river.
Each day and meal they had a seperate menu to keep things interesting and fresh and their meni is locally inspired cruisine and drinks, their chefs also gather fresh ingredients from the forest. As well as the more set menus their team are happy to take requests for anything not on the menu of course too. We enjoyed a sublime 7 course dinner on the first night which had one of the best presentations I’ve seen at an eaterie through to more casual lunches. Whatever the case you won’t go hungry here…
A unique breakfast experience
Amongst all the activities and meals which seem set in, the team at Shinta Mani Wild open your stay up to requests of all kinds, and your Bensley butler will also suggest alternative things to do too. With having had a few meals at the restaurant at HQ we thought we’d follow up on a hint of a different location we could have breakfast in. The evening before our last day, we confirmed with our Bensley Butler Masin and he was more than happy to arrange for us.
On the morning, Masin met us and led us through some of the woodland trail through the site and then over a large bridge which traversed over a stretch of the river which was great fun to walk over. We came to a clearing by the river bed and Masin and another staff member set up a table with chairs and a breakfast spread whilst we went for a cool morning dip in the pools of water from a small rushing waterfall by the space. Refreshed we then enjoyed a delicious breakfast of fruit and pastries with coffee and juices as well as Khmer breakfast baguettes to the most delightful sights and sounds of the location we were in.
Spending time by ‘The Cistern’ pool
Another marvel of the estate and located around the corner and secluded away from the HQ, is the sleek steel pool which is named the cistern which was inspired by the cisterns once used to store groundwater. Reminding ourselves rather a lot during the stay that not a single main tree was felled during its build this makes this huge olympic sized swimming pool up on a hill even more impressive. A mention must also go to the shower which the kids had fun with, a traditional pump your own water number before the sudden bucket is released by rope upon you feeling you even more refreshed! We just had to visit for an atmospheric dip both in the humid afternoon to cool off and enjoy the sights and sounds of the canopy and forest as well as the evening with dark night skies taking advtange of the low light of the location for stargazing.
An added bonus they even arranged for a foot massage by the sun beds overlooking the water as well as drinks of course!
Camera Trapping with Moni
As mentioned they have a focus on caring for the natural world and looking after the forest around them at Wild, so many of the activities are linked in with letting guests experience and also support with this ethos. From going with forest rangers on a anti poaching trek to camera trapping with we did.
We were introduced to Moni the head environmentalist at Shinta Mani Wild at HQ before we then set out on a circular walk to set camera traps as well as check them. The team set the activities to both the guests abilities and what they’d like to do, so with kids in tow it was a bit of a shorter version of a camera trapping trip they did but a wonderful and insightful one all the same. The excursion was around an hour and half and Moni regularly stopped to point out features of the forest, plants, explain the role of the local rangers and the issues they face from animal poachers etc. At the end of the trip we sat down and reviewed footage from the camera traps and which interesting animals stepped infront of the camera during both day and night, a very insightful addition to our stay to learn more on local wildlife.
Overview
Our stay at Shinta Mani Wild was one of the most memorable places we have ever stayed, I didn’t think it was possible to get that true mix of luxury but with a big sense of adventure and pushing you from your comfort zone, but I think it hits just right. Summarised by even your walk back to your camp at night through the dark woodland pathways with your torch or accompanied by a member of the team at Wild, you feel you can spot wildlife at any point and during the stay all your senses are kept alive and buzzing.
Travelling with older children approaching the teen years, it’s sometimes diffiicult to find places to stay for that in the middle age between younger kids and adulthood but Shinta Mani Wild sets the scene for the perfect place.
Q & A
Is Shinta Mani Wild Cambodia kid friendly?
Shinta Mani Wild accepts children aged 10 and older.
What should i pack for Shinta Mani Wild?
The team at Shinta Mani Wild send you helpful emails beforehand with advice on what to pack and any specific clothing which will vary on the seasons, as may be very humid or chilly or rainy of course.
Do I have to do the zipline on check in?
Nope, the their team will just drive you by jeep to HQ if you don’t fancy it, but I would definitely reccomend it to get into the spirit of adventure that Shinta Mani Wild expresses.
How far from Phnom Penh is Shinta Mani Wild?
There is an excellent new highway from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville so only a few hours from the capital by car or private transfer which the team at Wild can arrange.
