The keenly anticipated Shinta Mani Wild – Bensley Collection opened late 2018 within the wilderness of Cambodia’s South Cardamom National Park. Located in a pristine wildlife corridor, three hours’ south of Phnom Penh, the property offers a radical new concept for luxury tented camping. From the moment of arrival, criss-crossing the rapids via a 320m zipline, straight into the Landing Zone Bar, there is no such thing as a typical day here. Perched over 1.5km of river and waterfalls, the 14 one-bedroom tents (100m2) and one two-bedroom tent (140m2) have been designed to evoke Bensley’s vision of what it might have been like to be on luxury safaris in the jungles of Cambodia with Jacky O’, who travelled throughout the Kingdom with King Sihanouk in 1967. Guest can explore the estuarine ecosystem aboard a custom, Bensley-designed expedition boat or join Wildlife Alliance rangers on anti-poaching patrols. Ever-changing menus are inspired by sustainably foraged plants. The Boulder Spa provides chemical-free Khmer treatments including a river-stone foot massage while soaking in a waterfall pool. This utopia of sustainability is spearheaded by the Shinta Mani Foundation and provides long-term employment for local inhabitants. Guests enjoy rates that include food and beverage, private guided activities and excursions, spa treatments, personal Bensley Butler, land transfers from Phnom Penh or Sihanoukville Airports and taxes. A minimum 3-night stay is required.
