CARDAMOM TENTED CAMP CAMBODIA SHINES ON A GLOBAL STAGE FOR RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
Cardamom Tented Camp, a pioneering ecolodge nestled in the foothills of Cambodia’s vast Cardamom Mountains, has once again proven that tourism can be a force for good AT IRCT Global Responsible Tourism Awards in London.
Cardamom Tented Camp is tucked deep within Cambodia’s emerald wilderness, where mist lingers over ancient rainforests and the call of gibbons echoes. It’s a rare kind of sanctuary — not just for travelers seeking adventure, but for the wildlife and ecosystems that depend on human restraint as much as human curiosity.
In early November 2025, the camp earned international acclaim at the ICRT Global Responsible Tourism Awards in London, where it was named among the 30 best projects in the world championing sustainability and positive environmental impact. Competing in the “Nature Positive” category, Cardamom Tented Camp stood shoulder to shoulder with global conservation heavyweights — from Kenya’s Emboo Safari Camp and Peru’s Rainforest Expeditions to Sri Lanka’s Jetwing Vil Uyana and the Maldives’ Six Senses Laamu. The category’s top honor went to Astungkara Way of Indonesia, but for the Cambodian camp, the recognition itself marked a victory for a movement that transcends borders.
A Global Gathering for a Greener Future
Organized by the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT) — a UK-based nonprofit established in 2002 — the awards highlight projects that deliver measurable benefits to nature, culture, and communities. This year’s event brought together trailblazers from five continents across six categories: Nature Positive, Peace, Understanding & Inclusion, Managing Waste Responsibly, Increasing Local Sourcing and Shared Value, Climate Adaptation and Resilience, and an All-Inclusive Responsible Tourism award.
The ICRT’s judges sought initiatives with quantifiable impact — those proving that sustainable tourism is not just a philosophy, but a tangible practice. Cardamom Tented Camp fit that vision perfectly. Beyond being an idyllic escape, it stands as a working model of how conservation, community, and commerce can coexist harmoniously.
“A Setting We Are Proud to Protect”
For Allan Michaud, wildlife photographer, conservationist, and the lodge’s long-standing manager, the recognition validates years of careful stewardship and dedication.
“We are grateful to the judges for recognising the commitment of everyone involved at the camp,” Michaud said. “We strive to deliver a genuine ecotourism experience in a setting we are proud to protect.”
Since opening in 2017, Cardamom Tented Camp has become synonymous with hands-on conservation tourism. Guests aren’t merely observers of nature; they become its allies — joining guided treks with rangers who patrol the forest against poachers, learning about habitat restoration, and kayaking through lush wetlands that are home to rare hornbills and otters.
The Beating Green Heart of Cambodia
Accessible only by riverboat or forest trail, the 12-tent lodge feels worlds away from modern distraction. Solar panels hum quietly in the background, powering lights and fans. Wastewater is filtered naturally through a closed-loop system. There are no roads, no generators, and no needless intrusions. Every detail is deliberate — designed to minimize human footprint while maximizing the sensory experience of immersion in nature.
The camp sits on an 18,000-hectare (180 square kilometer) concession at the edge of Botum Sakor National Park, a region that forms part of one of Southeast Asia’s last remaining unbroken forest corridors. This landscape — a mosaic of mangroves, wetlands, and tropical forest — connects the lowlands with the mountainous wilderness of the Cardamom range, supporting species from clouded leopards to endangered Asian elephants.
But these forests have not always been safe. Logging, poaching, and illegal land grabs once threatened this biodiverse haven. That’s where Cardamom Tented Camp has made its mark.
A Model of Partnership and Purpose
The camp is the result of a three-way partnership between Minor Group, YAANA Ventures, and Wildlife Alliance, an NGO renowned for its anti-poaching patrols and habitat protection work in Cambodia. This collaboration ensures that tourism revenue directly funds conservation. Every guest who stays helps sustain the Wildlife Alliance forest rangers who patrol the area — an initiative neatly summed up in the camp’s memorable slogan:
“Your Stay Keeps the Forest Standing.”
Income from the lodge not only pays for patrol operations but also supports local communities, providing employment and education opportunities that reduce reliance on destructive practices. Guests can witness firsthand the results of their contribution — a protected wilderness where biodiversity thrives and where tourism serves as a bulwark against environmental loss.
Recognition Beyond Borders
Just days before the London ceremony, Cardamom Tented Camp also took home the Best Tented Camp in Cambodia honor at the World Luxury Travel Awards in Singapore on October 31. The back-to-back accolades underscore the camp’s unique position in the travel world: it delivers uncompromising comfort and elegance without sacrificing authenticity or ecological ethics.
Where Adventure Meets Integrity
For travelers, a stay at Cardamom Tented Camp is an invitation to slow down and reconnect. Early mornings bring misty boat rides down the Preak Tachan River, followed by forest hikes where footprints fade quickly into the leaf litter. Afternoons might be spent kayaking through mangrove channels or listening to the distant drumming of woodpeckers from a shaded hammock. At night, the forest hums to life under a sky dense with stars — and guests sleep knowing their presence contributes to something far greater than leisure.
In a world where travel is often criticized for its environmental toll, Cardamom Tented Camp stands as a blueprint for the future of sustainable adventure. It’s proof that responsible tourism doesn’t have to compromise on wonder, and that every journey — when guided by respect and purpose — can leave the world a little better than before.
So, the next time you imagine escaping to a faraway forest, think beyond the tented luxury. Think of the gibbons calling at sunrise. Think of the ranger’s footprints tracing unseen paths through the jungle. Think of your stay, and how it keeps the forest standing.
Leave a Reply