Cardamom Tented Camp Ecolodge Cambodia Launches Conservation Beer

Cardamom Tented Camp is located in the Botum Sakor National Park of Cambodia. Always a leader in sustainable tourism, the ecolodge has now launched its own conservation beer, which guests can enjoy during their stay. Moreover, and most importantly, Cardamom Tented Camp credits the brew, saying, “Your Beer Keeps the Forest Standing.”

Cardamom Tented Camp and its conservation beer ‘Keeps the Forest Standing’

Since the ecolodge first opened in 2017 in the Botum Sakor National Park in Cambodia, Cardamom Tented Camp prides itself on its efforts in sustainable travel.  The nine-unit, award-winning camp has operated under the slogan, “Your Stay Keeps the Forest Standing.” Now, the ecolodge has launched its own conservation beer using the tagline, “Your Beer Keeps the Forest Standing.”

Cardamom Mountains Steam Beer, which is now available to guests during their stay, is set to help fund the conservation work of 16 forest rangers. Moreover, the rangers protect the 18,000 hectares (111 square miles) of the surrounding lowland evergreen forest in Cambodia’s largest park, Botum Sakor National Park.

Cardamom Tented Camp manager, Allan Michaud said in a statement:

Now it’s the turn of beer drinkers to take one for the team and do their bit for conservation.

Meanwhile, it was after tasting sessions with Yuki Aotani, founder of the Flowers Microbrewery in Phnom Penh, that Michaud chose the hybrid Steam beer. Since that time, the 5.2 percent strong slightly hoppy beer is already a hit with camp guests and sells in 330 ml bottles for US$4.50 in the ecolodge’s small riverside restaurant.

Keeping it local is important for Michaud, who said in a statement:

With local Khmer dishes also on our menu, we make it easy for our guests to enjoy food and drink that reflect the best of Cambodia. Almost everything we do at the camp helps conservation of the forest and supports local suppliers.

However, Cardamom Tented Camp also sells the locally brewed Ibis beer, from which profits are used to protect the rare Ibis bird in Cambodia. It also sells craft beers from the Stonehead Brewery in Phnom Penh. Moreover, the Steam beers sold at the camp are served in 330 ml bottles gifted to the camp to the brewery.

More about Cardamom Tented Camp’s forest conservation

Each month a percentage of income from its beer sales and guest stays go to help forest rangers reduce illegal poaching, riverbank sand dredging and land grabs. Moreover, this summer, Cardamom has added two new Wildlife Alliance forest rangers, which brings the total to 16 now on patrol.

Meanwhile, illegal hunting is now down by a factor of around 90 percent over the last seven years. Due to this, sightings of rare wildlife such as Asian elephants, silver langurs, smooth-coated otters and leopard cats have increased in the lowland forest surrounding Cardamom Tented Camp.

More about Cardamom Tented Camp in Cambodia

Located in the foothills of the Cardamom Mountains in Cambodia, Cardamom Tented Camp is an ecolodge offering guests a sustainable stay. The nine-unit tented camp features a restaurant pavilion, a staff dormitory, a boat pier and ecotourism equipment.

The ecolodge uses solar power to run the lodge’s amenities. Moreover, the camp features its own wastewater filtration process. Meanwhile, there is no road access to the camp which is accessible only by river boat or a forest hike.

The lodge aims to minimize the human footprint on the surrounding natural world. Moreover, it serves as a role model in promoting sustainable ecotourism practices in the national park and Cambodia as a whole. Cardamom Tented Camp and its surroundings are home to pristine lowland and coastal habitats, linking wildlife corridors to the Cardamom Mountains.

During their stay, adventurous guests who are keen to form part of the real conservation work can enjoy kayaking packages and eco-friendly trekking. Moreover, the ecolodge is a three-way initiative between Minor Group, YAANA Ventures and Wildlife Alliance. The initiative ensures the land and its biodiversity do not fall into the hands of loggers, poachers and sand-dredging operations.

Awards and Accolades earned by Cardamom Tented Camp

In recent years, the Cardamom Tented Camp ecolodge has been awarded for its efforts in sustainable tourism as follows:

• June 2023 – Travel + Leisure Awards for Asia Pacific (Listing)
• Oct 2022 – HICAP Sustainable Award for Climate Action (Winner)
• Oct 2021 – Green Destinations Top 100 Destination Stories in the World (Listing)
• Aug 2019 – UK National Geographic Traveller ‘Earth Collection’ (Listing)
• July 2019 – PATA Gold Award for Ecotourism (Winner)
• April 2019 – WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Changemaker (Finalist)

About camp operator YAANA Ventures

Meanwhile, YAANA Ventures is the owner, operator and partner of entrepreneurial travel and hospitality ventures in Asia. The organization distinguishes itself by sharing real experiences that are grounded in the cultural richness of Asia.

It empowers its ventures with the values to nurture the people with whom it works. Visit the YAANA Ventures website to learn more.

Also, read more about Cardamom Tented Camp and its sustainability efforts, as well as activities, package options and booking availability on the ecolodge’s website.