About Sam Veasna Conservation Tours
Ethical birding and wildlife tours in Cambodia
Read about our amazing company, established in 2003 in memory of pioneering Cambodian Conservationist Sam Veasna
Our History, Mission & Governance
Sam Veasna Center for Wildlife Conservation was established in 2003 in memory of pioneering Cambodian Conservationist Sam Veasna, we were registered as a local NGO with the Ministry of Interior in 2006. We provide an alternative sustainable livelihood from ecotourism for the local communities at the sites that WCS prioritizes for conservation. In return for the income and employment received they are asked to sign no-hunting and land-use agreements, which are monitored by Ministry of Environment and the forestry patrol teams advised by WCS. As of 2019, Sam Veasnas legacy lives on under the new name- Sam Veasna Conservation Tours
We believe that it is necessary to provide alternative livelihoods in order to achieve sustainable conservation. By choosing to see Cambodia’s spectacular wildlife with us you are giving local communities those alternatives.
SVC’s original mission was broad: to promote wildlife conservation awareness and education in Northern Cambodia. As SVC has grown, it has become involved in education and capacity building, working in remote protected areas. Today the main objective of SVC is to provide local communities with a sustainable livelihood from international tourists who visit these sites for birding and wildlife watching. This award-winning approach was pioneered in Northern Cambodia at Tmatboey and has since been expanded to eight communities across Northern and Eastern Cambodia.
Mr Sam Veasna
Sam Veasna was a pioneering Cambodian naturalist who tragically died of malaria in 1999 aged 33 while surveying the Northern Plains of Cambodia for the now extinct Kouprey. During his short life he was responsible for discovering and cataloging many of the most important sites for conservation in Northern Cambodia, including the discovery of large numbers of Sarus Crane at Ang Trapaeng Thmor.
SVC was set up in the memory of pioneering Cambodian conservationist, Sam Veasna, to promote conservation throughout the country and to continue his legacy by protecting the endangered species of the country.
SVC in the news
SVC have been featured in many local, regional and international media over the years, just a few are below, and we’ve got some amazing new ones coming soon so do check back. We have also been key contributors to major wildlife films and documentaries by BBC, Animal Planet, Fauna in Focus, Antidote Productions and more which will be viewable soon via our Youtube channel.
Official Optics Partner
2017 we entered into a new partnership with Swarovski Optik to support our guides with the very best equipment in the world. This valuable relationship will enable our guides’ skills to develop exponentially and with best in class scopes give our clients the best chance to spot species.
Ecotourism Partner
We are ecotourism partners with the Wildlife Conservation Society for their Cambodia Program, working closely alongside them. We are also partners to the 8 communities we work with around Cambodia, as well as the Royal Government of Cambodia and Ministry of Environment in the Protected areas. This partner approach extends to other conservation organisations and the key operators that we work with to support conservation, community and effective ecotourism in Cambodia.
Other conservation and organisation partners
Ground Operator for the World’s Best Bird Tour Operators
Have something else in mind?
We offer custom tour packages which gives you the opportunity to create your perfect experience. If you would like to find out more about putting together a custom tour, please head over to our information page.
