Samlaot Multiple Use Area is a 600 square-km protected area that covers nearly half of Pailin, esentially all of the province that lies south of National Road No.57 connecting Pailin to Batdambang.
The area borders protected areas on the Thai side of the border, which together provide refuge for numerous animals, including gibbons, elephants, and hornbills.
The superstar duo Brangelina, who adopted their son Maddox in this far-flung area of Cambodia have donated funds to help oversee the area and are planning to introduce tours of the jungle through the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation.
When to Go
The roads are in best condition during the dry season (Dec-April) though you will only be able to go when you can arrange a tour, which may be seasonal anyway.
Getting There
Organize a tour through the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation ([email protected]) or inquire at reputable tour agencies in Battambang, Siem Reap, or Phnom Penh before driving out to Pailin and assuming you can arrange a tour from there.
Need to Know
- What is It?: A large, protected, multi-use area of remote jungle in western Cambodia.
- Nearest Town: Pailin can be reached from Batdambang by bus in around 2.5 hours or from Phnom Penh by bus in 4-plus hours.