What to do in Siem Reap? Visit APOPO’s Landmine Rats! If you’re looking for cool things to do in Siem Reap, why not stop by the APOPO Visitor Center and take a unique guided tour? You can find out all about how we train our amazing HeroRATs to find landmines and you can meet them, too. A visit to the APOPO Visitor Center is considered to be one of the top attractions in Siem Reap and among the best things to do in Cambodia for children. It’s also a great way to complement your visit to the tourist sites of Siem Reap such as Angkor Wat, other ancient temples, and national parks. Cambodia is one of the most land-mine affected countries in the world, but for the last 25 years APOPO has worked to clear landmines here and across the world. We train African giant pouched rats (they are much cuter than they sound and super smart, too!) to sniff out the TNT in explosives in the ground. Our work keeps people safe by reclaiming land from the dangers of landmines, and returning it to farmers and local communities, allowing them to thrive once again.
SIEM REAP ACTIVITY: APOPO GUIDED TOURS
Add the APOPO Visitor Center to your list of places to visit in Siem Reap. You’ll experience the realities of humanitarian demining and how we train our rats to save lives. It’s a truly fascinating and different kind of tourist attraction, but one you are bound to enjoy. You will learn about landmines, how we clear them, and see a live demo of the HeroRATs at work on a simulated minefield. Learn about how Cambodia became one of the most mine-affected countries in the world and what APOPO and its partners are doing to make it safe for the population.
Q&A SESSION
An experienced and friendly English-speaking tour guide will take you on a special tour of the APOPO Visitor Center. Each tour guide’s passion and in-depth knowledge of APOPO’s work make this one of the best things to do in Siem Reap while you are here. Take the opportunity to learn more about landmines, Cambodian history, APOPO’s humanitarian demining work, and meet our adorable African-born HeroRATs. Ask as many questions as you like and even get to handle one of our HeroRATs, if you want to.
APOPO HERORAT DEMONSTRATION
See a live APOPO HeroRAT in action! We have a demonstration area where the HeroRATs sniff out buried items and scratch at the surface to indicate they’ve found something. Then they receive a tasty treat from their trainers as a reward. This is truly a once in a lifetime experience and should be on everyone’s list of things to see in Siem Reap.
APOPO GIFT SHOP
The APOPO Visitor Center Gift Shop has a range of HeroRAT merchandise as well as items produced locally in Siem Reap. Whether you want to adopt a HeroRAT, buy a t-shirt, or take home a unique handcrafted Cambodian souvenir, our staff will help you find the perfect memento for you.
REFRESHMENTS
At the end of your guided tour treat yourself to a refreshing drink, take a seat, relax, and watch a video about APOPO and the HeroRATs saving lives around the world. This is also where our guides answer any additional questions you may have.
VISIT APOPO: A TOP TOURIST ATTRACTION IN SIEM REAP
APOPO’s Visitor Center is a great tourist place to visit in Cambodia and should be included in every Siem Reap excursion or day tour. A guided tour of the Visitor Center gives you the chance to discover the history of conflict in Cambodia, the impact of landmines on local communities, and to meet and see the HeroRATs in action. You’ll also end your Siem Reap tour knowing that great work is being done to make Cambodia safe for everyone.
Contact info
Address: Trapeang Ses Village, Kouk Chauk Commune, Koumai Road, Siem Reap 171253, Cambodia (Map)
T. +855 81 599 237 /+855 61 799 237