Belonging to the Mekong River system, Tonlé is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and one of the most diverse and productive ecosystems in the world. From Siem Reap you visit Tonlé and take a ride on a boat to visit one of the floating villages that call this place home.
Cambodia: Siem Reap – APOPO Visitor Center
A chance to meet the hero rats that are helping to clear landmines in Cambodia. Apopo has trained the highly sensitive, almost-blind Gambian pouched rat to sniff explosives, which dramatically speeds up the detection of mines in the countryside.
The day before we had seen a sign for the APOPO visitor centre. APOPO is an acronym “Anti-Persoonsmijnen Ontmijnende Product Ontwikkeling” (Flemish), or in English, Anti-Personnel Landmines Detection Product Development. This is an NGO that trains rats to seek out unexploded ordinance and land mines. When we passed by the day before we could not get onto one of the visitor centre tours, but we got our driver to call ahead and they had spots available today. So, we decided to skip the temples and lunch, and head to the APOPO visitor centre.
When arrived at APOPO we were just in time to join the next group tour. We had enough time to look around the display panels which was a great introduction to the work of APOPO and the HeroRats. APOPO’s mine action teams have set foot in eight countries that suffered from the legacy of past conflicts and are currently operational in Angola, Cambodia and Mozambique
When arrived at APOPO we were just in time to join the next group tour. We had enough time to look around the display panels which was a great introduction to the work of APOPO and the HeroRats. APOPO’s mine action teams have set foot in eight countries that suffered from the legacy of past conflicts and are currently operational in Angola, Cambodia and Mozambique
The tour took us outside to show the types of landmines and explosives that are being discovered in Cambodia. According to the Landmine Monitor, Cambodia is one of the most mine-affected countries in the world with over 1, 000 km² of land surface still contaminated by landmines. It is estimated that many hundreds of thousands of landmines and other explosives continue to litter the countryside, presenting a major humanitarian and socioeconomic challenge. With over 40,000 amputees Cambodia has the highest ratio of mine amputees per capita in the world.
After the introduction of APOPO’s work, we went to another area to talk about the process of mine detection using rats (and dogs). The rats are not any old rats, they are African giant pouched rats, which are nocturnal and nearly blind. They are also large – about the size of a small cat – and very cute. The main reason this rat is used is that it has a fantastic sense of smell. The rats undergo months of training before being used to detect mines.
In the field, the rats and their human counterparts travel to the location where unexploded ordinance (UXO) is thought to be. An area is staked out with string and the rats systematically work with the people working on a grid system to detect the UXO. The rats are light enough not to explore the landmines. If a UXO is detected it is marked on a map and later someone will come back and safely detonate it.
The use of rats and dogs significantly speeds up the process of detection.
Once all the explaining was done, our tour guide, passed on the message to rat handlers and one of the HeroRats was bought out to give a live demonstration. There were no active landmines involved, so we were assured it was perfectly safe! The rat was tethered on a harness and attached to one of the strings running across the sample test area. A tiny object with explosive material was put in the ground and the rat was set to work. Of course, it found the suspect item with no problem. Yeah.
After the demonstration, we were allowed to hold the rat and have our photos taken with it.
Before leaving the tour, our group was taken into a room where we were shown a couple of films highlighting the work of APOPO.
It was interesting to see that APOPO is exploring other applications for using the rats, including detecting active tuberculosis in laboratory samples (at a faster rate than clinical testing) and in search and rescue, finding people buried underneath collapsed buildings and rubble.
We loved this visit. It was fascinating to see the use of these creatures in important life-and-death programmes. The rats seem to be well-treated, and they are being bred for these projects rather than being taken from the wild.
Planning your visit to APOPO
Getting to and around Siem Reap
Flying
Flying into Siem Reap is something most travelers do; Siem Reap International Airport is about 7 km west of the town centre, and is actually busier than the capital city Phnom Penh.
Metro
Because there are no direct flights between Siem Reap and the West, if you’ve chosen to fly you’ll need to transit through an Asian hub. The most common direct flights to Siem Reap leave from Bangkok, Saigon (HCMC), Phnom Penh, Guangzhou, and Singapore.
The airport is a hub for Asian airlines, so you’ll be able to find flights to Siem Reap with carriers like Air Asia, China Southern Air, Vietnam Airlines, as well as Cambodia Angkor Air and Sky Angor Asia Airlines.
Airport facilities are pretty basic; there are a couple of cafes, shops, ATMs and a foreign currency exchange, but that’s about it. The building itself though is very clean and modern.
Bangkok’s metro system (MRT) is also good for travelling between the Sukhumvit or Silom districts to reach Hualamphong Train Station. Ticket costs on the Metro are inexpensive.
The popular Chatuchak Weekend Market is located at Mo Chit station on the Sukhumvit BTS line and Chatuchak Park on the MRT line.
Bus
A bus is a popular budget way to get to Siem Reap, especially from big hubs like Phnom Penh and Bangkok. Getting from Phnom Penh – Siem Reap by bus can be as cheap as $10 ($23 from Bangkok), and the vehicles are surprisingly modern and comfortable.
Because this is a popular way to get to Siem Reap, there is a huge range of bus companies to choose from. They leave daily from 6 am to 12 am, and facilities vary, so we highly recommend using a booking comparison site to find the best bus.
Boat
Another option for getting to Siem Reap is by boat, or cruise ship. Boats from Phnom Penh leave every day to Siem Reap, and will cost you around $25 – $35 USD for a 4 – 6 hour journey.
Boat routes are typically more geared towards locals rather than tourists, so there may not be the comfort or safety facilities that you’re used to, and boats from Phnom Penh have a reputation for breaking down.
Getting around Siem Reap
Tuk-tuks (also known as remorks) are the cheapest, and best way to get around town in Siem Reap. Short one way journeys will cost around $2 – 3 USD, for instance if you’re traveling from your hotel, into Pub Street (the main tourist food district).
A tuk-tuk is essentially an open air taxi; it’s a large carriage hitched to a motorcycle like a trailer, with four seats in the back. Once you start getting close into town they’re absolutely everywhere – you won’t have trouble finding one – tell the driver your destination, and agree on a price before you leave.
Taxis are more expensive, and you can’t hail these off the street with the same ease as a tuk-tuk. They’re not very common in Siem Reap so your best bet is to have your hotel book one for you if needed.
Walking is a great way to get around Siem Reap, especially if you’re sticking within the city. It’s very safe despite the chaotic look of the street, though you should keep your bags at the front of your body; bag snatching here is rare, but it’s always better to be safe.
The best time to visit Siem Reap
The annual temperatures in Krong Siem Reap generally range from 19°C (66.2°F) to 36°C (96.8°F). The cooler conditions, with temperatures between 19°C (66.2°F) and 31°C (87.8°F), occur in December. By contrast, the hottest period, with high temperatures from 36°C (96.8°F) to 36°C (96.8°F), occurs from March to April. There are slight variations in temperature throughout the year, but the average high stays above 30°C (86°F), providing a consistently warm climate.
A significant feature of the weather here is the rainfall variations throughout the year. The driest month is January with a minimal rainfall of 1mm (0.04″), while the wettest month, with a rainfall from 250mm (9.84″), is observed in September. On average, the city experiences rainfall on 18 days in August, September, and July, while only a single day with rainfall occurs in January.
The best time to visit Siem Reap
Considering the weather parameters like temperature, rainfall, and sunshine hours, the ideal period to plan a visit to Krong Siem Reap would be from November to February. During these months, temperatures range from 20°C (68°F) to 34°C (93.2°F), providing comfortable weather suitable for outdoor activities. In addition, these months witness less rainfall, between 1mm (0.04″) and 61mm (2.4″) which significantly reduces the possibility of facing rain-induced disruptions.
The worst time to visit Siem Reap
The period from May to October proves to be the least favourable time to visit Krong Siem Reap. During these months, the city faces the highest rainfall ranging from 146mm (5.75″) to 250mm (9.84″). Also, the number of days with rainfall is remarkably high, with up to 18 rainy days in a month. Additionally, the peak of summer, from 33°C (91.4°F) to 36°C (96.8°F), occurs during these months, which when combined with high humidity due to frequent rain, might cause discomfort to visitors.
Other places to visit while in Siem Reap
1. Tonlé Sap
Belonging to the Mekong River system, Tonlé is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and one of the most diverse and productive ecosystems in the world. From Siem Reap you visit Tonlé and take a ride on a boat to visit one of the floating villages that call this place home.
2. Angkor Archaeological Park
Visit Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. Stretching over some 400 km2, including a forested area, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century.
Where to stay in Siem Reap
1. Mid Range: Boutique Indochine d’Angkor
During our stay in Siem Reap, we stayed at this hotel. The staff were so kind and helpful, which is typical of Cambodia. It is a small and compact hotel a little way outside of the main tourist area of Siem Reap – hence quieter. We walked to the Riverside area from here in about 15 minutes, but you can always catch a tuk-tuk ride.
The rooms were comfortable and there was on an onsite restaurant that served breakfast where you could always get lunch and dinner if you didn’t fancy venturing out.
2. Luxury – Viroth’s Hotel
Located in the vibrant Wat Bo area, Viroth’s Hotel offers accommodations amid private vertical gardens in the heart of Siem Reap. Boasting a 20-yard outdoor pool and an open-air restaurant, Viroth’s Hotel offers 50’s-styled contemporary accommodations with free WiFi throughout the property. It operates a 24-hour front desk, features free parking on-site and provides daily housekeeping service.
Strategically located, the hotel is just 1312 feet from the Old Market and 1476 feet from the famous Pub Street.
3. Budget – Onederz Siem Reap
Located 984 feet from Pub Street in Siem Reap, Onederz Hostel Siem Reap features free WiFi access and free private parking. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant or relax at the two swimming pools, one located on the rooftop where a view of the sunset can be admired.
Featuring both private rooms and dormitories, each unit at Onederz Hostel Siem Reap comes with air conditioning. Guests staying in dormitory rooms will find electric sockets, reading lamps and accessory cases in each bed.
More to Explore
