Glamping on the wild side
Cambodia’s South Cardomom National Park Wilderness is turning itself into an upscale holiday escape with the opening of the luxury Bensley Collection’s Shinta Mani Wild on November 1.
Following the success of its first property, Bensley Collection Shinta Mani Angkor, this new resort features 15 exquisitely customised luxury tents in a private sanctuary to offer a true glamping experience.
Guests will arrive at the gate lounge by road or helicopter and then can take a unique adrenaline-filled flight to the resort via a 380-metre zip line over river and waterfalls. General manager Sangjay Choegyal and Bensley Butlers will be in charge of the Landing Zone Bar, where guests will be greeted with welcome refreshments.
Perched over 1.5 kilometres of river and waterfalls, the options include 14 one-bedroom tents and a two-bedroom tent, ranging in floor area from 100sqm to 140sqm. The striking designs will evoke the luxury safari trip in the jungles of Cambodia.
With no official menu, culinary offerings under the direction of the camp’s talented chef Kien Wagner will include wild edible plants sustainably foraged each day from the forest to accompany the best quality meat and seafood available.
Fresh condiments will be made in house and the camp will have a permaculture farm to support local farmers and fishermen. The area has a rich source of large succulent mud crabs, which are a local delicacy. All ingredients will be fresh, organic and sustainably sourced from the surrounding forests and as well as imported where necessary.
There is also a range of creative luxury adventures to enjoy. Guests can spend a day exploring the untrammelled waterways of South East Asia’s last wild estuarine ecosystem aboard a custom Bensley designed fully equipped expedition boat complete with kayaks.
To the north, guests will get a chance to accompany antipoaching rangers and researchers as they check camera points and study the wild forests and their inhabitants, or enjoy hiking trails developed by a naturalist team.
Room rates start from USD1,900 (Bt63,290) per night, inclusive of all food and beverage, activities, spa treatments and land transfers from Phnom Penh or Sihanoukville airports. Helicopter transfers are additional.
Check out the best rates at www.ShintaMani.com/wild.php.
