How to Visit the Cambodia Landmine Museum and APOPO HeroRATs Sanctuary

Sadly, Cambodia has one of the highest rates of amputees in the world. This is due to thousands of landmines left behind after three decades of war. These landmines, and other unexploded ordnance (UXOs), are found throughout the country. Unfortunately many are found in gardens, in the rice fields where people work, and on the roads where children walk to school. Visiting both the Cambodia Landmine Museum and the innovative APOPO HeroRATS Sanctuary in Siem Reap will give you a moving insight into how locals are recovering their land, and livelihoods, back.

They are also great choices of things to do in Siem Reap beyond Angkor Wat.

Ethical tourism and gaining a deeper understanding of destinations we visit are central to how we travel. Experiences like the Cambodia Landmine Museum and APOPO HeroRATs Sanctuary resonate deeply with us because they benefit everyone in a responsible way. They inspire us with innovative solutions and allow us to directly support vital humanitarian efforts.

Don’t miss these incredible Siem Reap attractions when you visit Cambodia – you won’t regret it! Here’s everything you need to know to plan your visit.

Why Visit the Cambodia Landmine Museum and APOPO HeroRATs Sanctuary?

What to Expect at the Cambodia Landmine Museum

The Cambodia Landmine Museum provides a deeper understanding of Cambodia’s difficult past, and the devastating reminders of war left behind in their wake.

The museum features displays of defused landmines, personal stories, and interactive educational materials. It’s a truly eye-opening and inspiring attraction in Siem Reap.

It was founded by Aki Ra, a former child soldier of the Khmer Rouge who has dedicated his life to demining and educating the public about the dangers of UXOs. Over the years, people around the world have recognised his amazing work to make Cambodia safer.. In 2010, a movie (A Perfect Soldier) was made about his life, and in the same year he was named a CNN Top 10 Hero out of 10,000 nominees.

If you’re lucky, Aki Ra is sometimes there himself to share stories. The brilliant guides and staff, as well as all the information on show, help to shed light on the ongoing efforts to recover the land lost due to the devastating wars.

Cambodia Landmine Museum: Entrance Fee and Visitor Information

The entrance fee for the Cambodia Landmine Museum is $5 USD per person. Proceeds support demining projects and aid for landmine survivors.

If you have any spare cash and want to make a real difference, you can donate to the Cambodia Landmine Museum here.

For further information, see the official website here.

Cambodia Landmine Museum: Opening Hours

The Cambodia Landmine Museum is open every day from 7:30am to 5:30pm. Expect to spend around an hour exploring the museum at your own pace.

APOPO HeroRATs Sanctuary: What You Need to Know

At the APOPO Hero Rats Sanctuary, you’ll join a short, informative tour to meet the remarkable African Giant Pouched Rats, affectionately named ‘HeroRATs’. These highly trained, super-smart rats have been trained to detect landmines, playing a vital role in Cambodia’s landmine removal efforts.

The HeroRATs detect landmines in an innovative, humane, and extremely efficient way. They can search roughly 200 square metres in 20 minutes, which would take a person up to 4 DAYS using a metal detector.

Most importantly, not a single rat has been harmed during their 8 years of operation in Cambodia.

Visiting the sanctuary is only possible through a guided tour, which can be easily booked here. During the tour, you’ll learn some more about Cambodia’s landmine history, witness a live demonstration of these amazing rats at work, and you even have the chance to hold one! Don’t worry though – they’re much cuter in person than you might think!!

The APOPO HeroRATs Sanctuary is a unique, family-friendly activity in Cambodia. It is an engaging way for both kids and adults to learn about these incredible rats and their vital, life-saving humanitarian mission they support.

APOPO HeroRATs Sanctuary: Tickets, Tours, and Fees

Tours of the APOPO HeroRATs Sanctuary are 10 USD per person, which directly contributes to APOPO’s demining initiatives. Tours can be booked here.

You can continue to support the APOPO HeroRATs initiative by donating here, or by sponsoring a rat here. Find out more on their official website.

APOPO HeroRATs Sanctuary: Opening Hours and Tour Details

The APOPO Visitor Center is open every day from 8:30am to 5:00pm, with the last tour beginning at 4:30pm. Expect to spend about an hour on your visit.

How to Find the Cambodia Landmine Museum and APOPO HeroRATs Sanctuary

If you’re wondering how to visit the Cambodia Landmine Museum and APOPO HeroRATs Sanctuary, both sites sit conveniently in the north of Siem Reap. They will make an ideal addition to your itinerary when exploring the Angkor Wat region.

The Cambodia Landmine Museum lies about 25 kilometres north of Siem Reap, near the famous Banteay Srei temple.

APOPO HeroRATs Sanctuary is located a little closer at about 2.5 kilometres from town, not far from the entrance to Angkor Wat.

How to Travel to the Cambodia Landmine Museum and APOPO HeroRATs Sanctuary

Tuk-Tuk: Visiting both sites by tuk-tuk from Siem Reap will cost roughly $15–$20 round trip, depending on your bargaining skills. Pretty much every driver is familiar with both locations, so don’t worry about trying to communicate that! They’ll wait while you explore before taking you to the next stop, which is really convenient.

Car: Hiring a private car hire gives you more flexibility, but increases the cost. Typically, hiring a car in Siem Reap will cost around £30-£50 ($35–$60 USD) per day. It’s a great option if you plan to visit other attractions like Banteay Srei as well. We usually use Rentalcars.com to find the best rental car deals! 

Scooter: Renting a scooter is a budget-friendly option, costing about £5-£7 ($8–$10) per day. It provides similar flexibility to hiring a car, but comes with more challenges – mainly the sometimes difficult road conditions and exposure to the elements… Connor always seems to get sunburnt on scooters! If you’re up for the challenge, you can typically organise rentals through your accommodation.

Check out our 10-Day Cambodia Itinerary: Temples, History, and Island Escapes for a detailed guide to visiting Cambodia’s top attractions, including Siem Reap and beyond.

Tips for a Meaningful Visit

• Dress & Behave Respectfully: The number one thing to remember when visiting these sites is to dress and behave respectfully at all times. They deal with sensitive subjects, and the lingering impact of these mines continues to affect many locals – including those who work there. 
• Support Their Mission: Both organisations rely on visitor contributions and donations to continue their incredible efforts. By purchasing items from their gift shops or making a donation directly, you’re directly supporting this amazing work.
• Combine with Other Attractions: You’ll be heading north out of the city, so why not make a full day of it? Drop by the nearby Banteay Srei Temple or the Butterfly Centre for more amazing things to do in Siem Reap.
• Best Time of Day to Visit: We’d recommend visiting in the morning to avoid the heat, especially if travelling by tuk-tuk or scooter.
• Ideal Season to Visit: The best time in general to visit Cambodia is during the dry season, which is November to March. At this time, you’ll get the most comfortable weather for exploration and travel.

To make the most of your time in Cambodia, why not plan a larger trip that includes both these meaningful sites as well as Cambodia’s other must-see destinations? Our guide, 10-Day Cambodia Itinerary: Temples, History, and Island Escapes, is perfect for putting together an unforgettable trip!

The Importance of the Cambodia Landmine Museum and landmine removal with APOPO HeroRATs Sanctuary

Cambodia remains to this day one of the most landmine-contaminated countries in the world. Efforts by organisations like the Cambodia Landmine Museum and APOPO are crucial to creating a safer future for so many people who live in these affected areas.

By visiting, you’re not only educating yourself but also contributing to the impactful work that they do.

It doesn’t matter if you’re interested in the history behind the causes, the innovative humanitarian solutions, or if you’re simply looking for unique things to do in Cambodia. Both the Cambodia Landmine Museum and APOPO HeroRATs Sanctuary will leave you feeling informed and proud that you’ve been able to contribute to these incredible causes, even just a little.