What to do in Siem Reap? Visit APOPO's Landmine Rats!
Visit APOPO’s Landmine Rats also known as HeroRATs! 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? Take an hour to visit the APOPO Visitor Center which is conveniently just a quick 10-minute tuk-tuk ride from downtown. Here, you’ll discover how we train African Giant Pouched Rats (they are much cuter than they sound and super smart, too!) to detect landmines and unexploded ordnance in Cambodia and beyond, playing a vital role in clearing these dangers. See our rats in action, learn about Cambodia’s recent history, and even hold a rat yourself!
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 for children to do in Cambodia. 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. The Visitor Center, conveniently located on the way back from Angkor Wat, is a perfect stop after a temple morning. Great for families too—kids love meeting the rats!
Cambodia is one of the most land-mine-affected countries in the world, but for over 25 years, APOPO has worked to clear landmines here and across the world. 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.
Steph G2023-03-09Small heroes This was such an informative and eye-opening visit. It is so important that every tourist taking in the beauty and history of Siem Reap and Angkor take the time to go to the APOPO visitor centre and learn about the amazing work that the hero rats and their handlers are doing. It's a terrible fact that Cambodians are still suffering horrendous injuries from land mines so many years after the end of the Khmer Rouge era. Please make sure to contribute something to their essential task. (The rats are really cute too!)
He1d12023-03-09You will be shocked with how much you learn & how you now feel about rats! I was a bit dubious about visiting rats, but my goodness I'm glad I did! The work this charity does is extremely impressive & it shows how passionate they are when you listen to them talk & then watch the rats (huge!) in action. Before this trip I knew nothing of APOPO which is entirely charity run. Their work is invaluable. It really is worth the visit.
Berlinfan20082023-03-08A very interesting insight A really nice gem to visit and find out about the very important mine-searching rats througout Cambodia.Very interesting tour, friendly staff and lots of new impressions on the „other side of Cambodia“.Very much recommended!
sealrocker2023-03-06Learn about land mines and the hero rats I can’t say enough good things about this project. Go there learn about their mission and you will want to support the work they are doing. This visit is the highlight of our visit to siem reap area. More so than the angkor complex. This will leave a lasting impression on you. We decided to do our part to assist/support the mission by adopting a hero rat for a year.
Ian G2023-03-05Rats clearing mines! Vital work covered in an interesting way Apopo is situated about half way between town and Angkor Wat (3Km), right on the main road. They run a great presentation, highlighting the care they take off the animals in their charge and covering the vital work that they do. They have a small so of slightly overpriced goods which are sold to help find the service. You can also (as I did) symbolically adopt a rat if you believe in what they’re doing and want to help in a more substantial way. It’s not hard sell at all. The tour takes 30-45 minutes and it is educational and fun and you get an opportunity to handle the rays of that interests you.
alex & mariola2023-03-02Interesting tour/something different We hadn't planned to come here but one afternoon of visiting the temples it rained so as we were passing we stopped off. Very interesting - take the quick tour it's only 30-40 mins but you see the rats in action sniffing out landmines and learn a lot about how many landmines are stuck around the World. You can handle the rats if you want they were surprisingly cute and fun to handle. We really enjoyed this and it is a very good cheap backup option in Siem Reap if your scheduled stuff gets rained off as it is all under cover.
AngandSus2023-03-01Amazing experience We cannot recommend this experience enough. After visiting Angkor Wat we were keen to experience and understand more about the area so we visited the APOPO centre and were blown away not only by the work they do, but also by the animals themselves. You’ll never think about a rat in the same way again. The experience teaches you a little history, explains current challenges, and shows you how these hero rats literally save lives. We also had the opportunity to hold one of the rats which was incredible. It was more akin to holding a puppy. If you wince at the idea of holding a rat then this experience will blow away any misconceptions you might harbour. Be prepared for a rat to steal your heart! That’s a line I never thought I’d say…
Great_Western2023-02-26A fascinating and uplifting visit Don't miss a visit to see the HeroRats that are doing such a great job to rid Cambodia of its unexploded mines and bombs. Like most Brits we wouldn't normally go near rats but these giant African rats specially trained to sniff-out explosives were so delightful and my wife and I were happy to cuddle them!By visiting, you are supporting the vital work they are doing to reduce the appalling injuries (mainly to children) that are still happening thanks to civil war and foreign bombing.
starrynight7293282023-02-23Rats!!! APOPO - Humanitarian Demining Very informative! I wasn’t aware of the landmine dangersIn Cambodia.Also, I didn’t realize the advantages or even the capabilities of training large rats.
caroline w2023-02-23Brilliant, mine detecting rats from Tanzania These rats are incredibly clever. They are trained in Tanzania where they are bred. It takes 6 to 9 months to train a rat. They are huge, cuddly creatures with an enormous of whiskers, pink feet and pink ears. They suffer from sunburn so they have to have factor 50 put on their tails. They work early in the morning before it gets too hot and then are happy to return by 11 in the morning to their air-conditioned cage. They have cleared millions of acres all over the world of land mines, saving thousands of lives and allowing people to go back to their farming, allowing children to walk safely to school et cetera.
Read our Amazing Reviews on Google:
Meeting the rats and learning aboutwhat they do was great. More impactful though were the stories and the stats about the impact of landmines even today. Definitely worth the 30 mins.
40 minute or so tour teaches about the landmine removal efforts by APOPO in Cambodia, demonstration of the trained rats and photo opportunity with the rats, good to see when in Siem Riep
Such an interesting and wonderful place to visit. We really enjoyed learning about the history and struggles of the mines in the area, and then learning about the solution.Great info, and cute rats.We were happy to support this cause.
Hold a giant rat. 🐀 See demonstrations of the amazing mine-detecting rodents. Excellent air conditioning so lovely place to drop into on way back from temples. Rats are calm, clean and well looked after. Also their medical work detecting TB cases. Small museum. Shop has decent bamboo water bottles. Just €2 tuktuk ride from Siem Reap city centre. Takes about an hour. Regular tours.
Highly recommend! If you want a new experience during your trip, come and visit the little heroes at the APOPO. Visiting here is not just for fun; it is a part of contributing to society. Moreover, you can buy souvenir there too.
Highly recommend! The Center is doing incredible work using specially trained African rats to detect landmines, saving countless lives across Asia and Africa. It was fascinating to see this life-saving effort in action and meet these hero rats up close. Our guide was funny, informative, and friendly. The Apopo team and their rats are true heroes!For locals especially, drop by! By visiting, you help Apopo continue their vital mission and support what I call "Loco-tro-Loco" campaign. Your visit can make a difference—come and be a part of something truly heroic!
Nice way to spend an hour in Siem Reap! Learning about what this organisation are doing not just in Siem Reap but all over the world is fascinating, and their “hero rats” are incredibly clever! A must visit if you’re in Siem Reap for a little while.
This place is so nice to know something people seldom know. An NGO strives for training rats to save lives, and no rats die. I think it’s beautiful to not only help victims but also develop good relationships between humans and animals. The feeder said he won’t eat rats any more even.
I am obsessed with how they demine the land. I loved coming to learn about the rats and their handlers and how this program came to be. It's cool they do a demo and let you pet or hold a hero. Loved the video and the stuff in the gift shop. Nice designs, they got professionals doing designs for sure. I bought a rat ring and I love it.
A very informative presentation, both outside and in the TV-seated area. The guide had a fantastic command of technical English, so was able to respond to any of the group's questions. Highly recommended.
This is a great place to visit in Siem Reap. Very informative about the history of landmine removal all over the world and how the rats are trained. You will see a live demonstration and then get to hold a rat if you're brave enough. Only $8 and a very worthy cause
Wow I loved this. I learned so much about the land Mine problem in Cambodia and this amazing charitable project trains animals to help rid the land of mines. Many Cambodians are injured regularly by explosives left from the war and these rats are doing incredible work and it was amazing to see them in action and pet them. They are very well looked after.
This educational tour lasts about 45 min and you see a demo of a rat finding a landmine and then have the opportunity to hold a rat. It’s a really informative tour and important mission. The tours are at the top of each hour but call in advance to let them know you are coming. We’re glad we made the time to come by.
SUPPORT APOPO AND THE LIFESAVING WORK WE DO:
Adopt a HeroRAT
Support Ronin's health and wellbeing by adopting this landmine detection rat.
Clear 30 SQM
Support our HeroRATs and deminers by donating enough to clear a 30 square meters of minefields.
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.
FIND US ON FACEBOOK
Follow us on Facebook to find out much more about APOPO's humanitarian demining work and the process of training our HeroRATs. Enjoy images, videos, testimonials, and even arrange a visit to the APOPO Visitor Center by sending us a message directly.
SIGN UP FOR THE APOPO NEWSLETTER
Sign up for the APOPO newsletter to keep updated on APOPO’S work training HeroRATs to find landmines, detect tuberculosis, and more. Additionally, you’ll receive updates about the work of our HeroDOGs deployed in Cambodia and other land-mine-affected countries where APOPO works.
APOPO VISITOR CENTER, TRAPEANG SES VILLAGE, KOUK CHAUK COMMUNE, SIEM REAP KOUMAI ROAD, CAMBODIA
Find the APOPO Visitor Center on Google Maps using the link below.
Book now
Email: visitor.center@apopo.org
Phone: +855 81599237 or +855 61799237
Read what our visitors have said about their experience:
Meeting the rats and learning aboutwhat they do was great. More impactful though were the stories and the stats about the impact of landmines even today. Definitely worth the 30 mins.
40 minute or so tour teaches about the landmine removal efforts by APOPO in Cambodia, demonstration of the trained rats and photo opportunity with the rats, good to see when in Siem Riep
Such an interesting and wonderful place to visit. We really enjoyed learning about the history and struggles of the mines in the area, and then learning about the solution.Great info, and cute rats.We were happy to support this cause.
Hold a giant rat. 🐀 See demonstrations of the amazing mine-detecting rodents. Excellent air conditioning so lovely place to drop into on way back from temples. Rats are calm, clean and well looked after. Also their medical work detecting TB cases. Small museum. Shop has decent bamboo water bottles. Just €2 tuktuk ride from Siem Reap city centre. Takes about an hour. Regular tours.
Highly recommend! If you want a new experience during your trip, come and visit the little heroes at the APOPO. Visiting here is not just for fun; it is a part of contributing to society. Moreover, you can buy souvenir there too.
Highly recommend! The Center is doing incredible work using specially trained African rats to detect landmines, saving countless lives across Asia and Africa. It was fascinating to see this life-saving effort in action and meet these hero rats up close. Our guide was funny, informative, and friendly. The Apopo team and their rats are true heroes!For locals especially, drop by! By visiting, you help Apopo continue their vital mission and support what I call "Loco-tro-Loco" campaign. Your visit can make a difference—come and be a part of something truly heroic!
Nice way to spend an hour in Siem Reap! Learning about what this organisation are doing not just in Siem Reap but all over the world is fascinating, and their “hero rats” are incredibly clever! A must visit if you’re in Siem Reap for a little while.
This place is so nice to know something people seldom know. An NGO strives for training rats to save lives, and no rats die. I think it’s beautiful to not only help victims but also develop good relationships between humans and animals. The feeder said he won’t eat rats any more even.
I am obsessed with how they demine the land. I loved coming to learn about the rats and their handlers and how this program came to be. It's cool they do a demo and let you pet or hold a hero. Loved the video and the stuff in the gift shop. Nice designs, they got professionals doing designs for sure. I bought a rat ring and I love it.
A very informative presentation, both outside and in the TV-seated area. The guide had a fantastic command of technical English, so was able to respond to any of the group's questions. Highly recommended.
This is a great place to visit in Siem Reap. Very informative about the history of landmine removal all over the world and how the rats are trained. You will see a live demonstration and then get to hold a rat if you're brave enough. Only $8 and a very worthy cause
Wow I loved this. I learned so much about the land Mine problem in Cambodia and this amazing charitable project trains animals to help rid the land of mines. Many Cambodians are injured regularly by explosives left from the war and these rats are doing incredible work and it was amazing to see them in action and pet them. They are very well looked after.
This educational tour lasts about 45 min and you see a demo of a rat finding a landmine and then have the opportunity to hold a rat. It’s a really informative tour and important mission. The tours are at the top of each hour but call in advance to let them know you are coming. We’re glad we made the time to come by.
