Shinta Mani Wild, Cambodia

Location

Tucked away in a pristine private nature sanctuary, Shinta Mani Wild lies between three of Cambodia’s most revered national parks – Kirirom, Preah Monivong Bokor and Southern Cardamom. Access is as unique as the property itself: guests arrive via zipline, soaring over the forest canopy before landing at the Landing Zone Bar. The journey from Phnom Penh takes around three hours by car, but this is not a place you stumble upon – it’s a retreat for those in search of rarefied seclusion. Surrounded by 800 acres of untouched rainforest, this one-of-a-kind lodge immerses you in the sights and sounds of the jungle, from gibbon calls at dawn to the rumble of nearby waterfalls. It’s a location with a conservation mission at its heart, and an experience unlike any other.

Accommodation

With just 15 ultra-luxurious tents, Shinta Mani Wild reimagines the safari experience for the tropics. Designed by the ever-imaginative Bill Bensley, each tent is a richly layered tribute to Cambodia’s golden age of exploration. Expect vintage travel trunks, hand-painted murals, copper bathtubs perched on outdoor decks, and flowing interiors that blur the line between inside and out. Floor-to-ceiling canvas walls open onto sweeping river or waterfall views, with furnishings that channel both colonial romance and contemporary flair. No two tents are the same – some teeter over river rapids, while others sit tucked under thick jungle canopy – but all come with 24-hour butler service and an unmistakable sense of style and story.

Dining

Dining at Shinta Mani Wild means a journey through Cambodia’s flavours, traditions and native ingredients. The lodge’s restaurant, The Headquarters, changes its menu daily based on what’s foraged from the surrounding forest or sourced from nearby farms. Think fresh river fish grilled in banana leaves, wild herbs infused into broths and pickled jungle vegetables served with finesse. Guests are welcome to join the chef in the open-air kitchen, learning the secrets of Khmer cuisine as they sip cocktails infused with forest botanicals. For something extra special, private dining can be arranged riverside, cliffside or even aboard a custom Bensley-designed expedition boat.

Facilities

While the setting is remote, the experiences on offer are nothing short of immersive. Guests are invited to join rangers on anti-poaching patrols, kayak down secret rivers, or trek with naturalists to hidden waterfalls. There’s also a jungle spa where treatments are tailored using locally foraged botanicals, and yoga sessions that overlook the treetops – followed, for the adventurous, by a zipline straight to breakfast. The Landing Zone Bar is a striking space for sundowners, with handcrafted cocktails and open-air views of the roaring rapids. Every detail, from the custom-made furniture to the sustainably sourced amenities, speaks to a commitment to both conservation and character.