Shinta Mani Wild Hotel Review: A Luxury Cambodian Jungle Adventure Rooted in Conservationism

CAMBODIA

I’m perched on a natural rock ledge, cocktail in hand, as the rush of the stream harmonises with the gentle crackle of a bonfire nearby. Around me, glowing candles flicker against the fading light, scattered thoughtfully among the rocks like offerings to the golden hour. A pop-up bar sits to one side, elegantly manned by bartenders shaking up bespoke drinks, while a riverside foot massage station awaits on the other, operated by two therapists offering rejuvenation in the midst of raw wilderness. It feels like a scene designed for a proposal — intimate, ethereal, utterly transportive.

All images courtesy of Faye Bradley | CSP Times.

We arrived here — my guest and I, along with a handful of other travellers — via a 20-minute ride through bumpy jungle roads, escorted by the ever-charming general manager and staff of Shinta Mani Wild – A Bensley Collection, the luxury tented camp that would be our home for the next few nights. With just 15 tents scattered throughout an 865-acre private nature sanctuary, the atmosphere is exclusive and deeply personal. Evenings like this, where you mingle with fellow guests over cocktails by the river, feel like curated adventures for a select few.

Our journey began when we arrived at the property at noon. After a two-hour drive from Phnom Penh, guests zipline into the property — a 400-metre flight over forest canopy, cascading rivers and a waterfall — landing at the Landing Zone Bar, where you're welcomed with a chilled drink and warm introductions by the General Manager Marc LeBlanc and your dedicated Bensley Butler. In our case, the lovely operations and sustainability manager, Laura Robinson, greeted us and introduced us to Chris, our butler for the stay — a man with an impressive knack for anticipating every need.

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Shinta Mani Wild was co-founded by Cambodian hotelier Sokoun Chanpreda and legendary hotel designer Bill Bensley, whose inspiration for the camp stemmed from Jackie Kennedy’s 1967 visit to Cambodia. It’s a fantasy brought to life — adventure-meets-indulgence, with a layer of conservation woven into every detail. The interiors are a glorious homage to vintage exploration: brass fixtures, antique trunks, battered leather chairs, rotary telephones and over 1,000 books collected by Bensley himself, scattered across the property like hidden treasures.

Our tent, King Jayavarman’s Tent, named after the Angkor-era ruler, sits dramatically above flowing water. It’s less a tent and more a jungle manor — complete with a massive four-poster bed, safari-style furnishings, and a sun-drenched terrace equipped with a stocked maxi-bar and a do-it-yourself cocktail station. A claw-foot outdoor bathtub invites long soaks with a view of the jungle canopy. There’s even a birdwatching perch by the bed, complete with a field guide.

Despite the remote location, luxury is never out of reach. Guests dine in the open-air restaurant where the daily changing menu is a celebration of Cambodian produce — inventive, refined, and deliciously fresh. Dinner is typically a seven-course affair, paired with curated wines and handcrafted cocktails. While you can opt to dine in your tent, we savoured every meal at the restaurant, exchanging stories with other guests and staff who quickly feel like friends.

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All meals, drinks, experiences and unlimited spa treatments are included — a rarity even among luxury properties. The Khmer Tonics Spa offers a menu of all-natural therapies. We tried the full-body aromatherapy massage, a revitalising facial, and a riverbank foot massage, all of which felt more elevated by the sounds of the wild around us. For those who prefer privacy, in-tent treatments can also be arranged.

Activities range from leisurely to adventurous. We hiked with Chris and a reformed poacher turned ranger through the forest, learning about native fruits and animal tracks. We also boarded the camp’s custom-built expedition boat, gliding through the hidden waterways of the upper Srei Ambel Estuary. The boat — in typical Bensley fashion — includes cushioned day beds and rooftop sun loungers for birdwatching and sun-soaking. Guests are encouraged to kayak, swim, and explore. For those craving more, options include mountain biking, forest foraging, and joining the Wildlife Alliance rangers on anti-poaching patrols.

In lieu of a traditional gym, each tent comes with a bespoke “Jungle Gym Box” — a whimsical trunk stocked with yoga mats, weights, and other fitness tools. Morning yoga, sound baths, qi gong and meditation are also on offer, adding to the retreat’s wellness-focused offerings. There’s a pool too, with loungers set against jungle views — the perfect spot to sip a Negroni in the sun.

At its heart, Shinta Mani Wild is a property with purpose. Proceeds from the resort’s chic boutique — featuring locally made resortwear and Bensley’s own artwork — go to Wildlife Alliance, an NGO that works hand-in-hand with the resort to protect the surrounding forest. A chalkboard in the lobby tracks rescued animals and removed snares — tangible proof of conservation in action.

We happened to visit during Khmer New Year, a time of celebration in Cambodia, and were greeted with festive cocktails and special touches throughout the stay. It’s this kind of attention to detail — and the intimate, boutique scale — that makes Shinta Mani Wild feel so exceptional. Even during full occupancy, the layout ensures it feels like you’re the only one there. The experience is wildly romantic, yet welcoming to families — with options tailored for younger guests as well.

Shinta Mani Wild's narrative is a rich, textured story of adventure, comfort, and purpose, masterfully balances barefoot luxury with deep respect for nature. Whether you're celebrating a honeymoon, planning a proposal, or simply seeking a jungle escape that redefines indulgence, this is where the wild things are — and where luxury lives in harmony with the land. It’s easy to imagine Jackie Kennedy, with her sharp eye for beauty and adventure, feeling perfectly at home here too.

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Location: Prey Praseth Village, Kampong Seila​, Cambodia | Phone: +855 96 919 0000 | Email: wild@shintamani.com | Facebook: Shinta Mani Wild | Instagram: @ShintaManiWild