Style, substance and sustainability: Jungle living Bill Bensley style

The Bensley Collection has announced the opening of Shinta Mani Wild this Christmas, tantalising fans of iconic designer Bill Bensley with news of his own eco-centric brand – where style and substance share equal billing in the canopy of a Cambodian jungle.

Style

Located in the the wilderness of the South Cardamom National Park – a  pristine wildlife corridor three hours’ drive south of Phnom Penh — Shinta Mani Wild – Bensley Collection offers a radical new concept for a luxury tented camp experience.  From the moment of arrival – criss-crossing the rapids via a 320m zipline, straight into the Landing Zone Bar – there will be no such thing as a typical day at Shinta Mani Wild.

Perched over 1.5km of river and waterfalls, the 14 one-bedroom tents (100sqm) and one two-bedroom tent (140sqm) have been meticulously designed to evoke Bensley’s vision of what it might have been like to be on luxury safari in the jungles of Cambodia with fashion and style icon Jacky Onassis , who travelled throughout the Kingdom with King Sihanouk in 1967.

Substance

Adding depth to the jungle glamp are a range of “creative luxury adventures” which include exploring the waterways of South East Asia’s last wild river estuary habitat (where sea and river ecosystems meet) aboard a custom Bensley-designed expedition boat; or joining Wildlife Alliance rangers on anti-poaching patrols.

Ever changing menus are inspired by sustainably foraged wild edible plants, as the camp’s naturalists guide guests through the forest to discover – and taste – Cambodia’s natural larder. The Boulder Spa provides chemical-free Khmer Tonics treatments including a river-stone foot massage while soaking in a waterfall pool.

Sustainability

Described by Bensley as a “utopia of sustainability”, Shinta Mani Wild’s comprehensive conservation and community programmes are spearheaded by the Shinta Mani Foundation, and include the provision of long-term employment opportunities to local inhabitants where there is minimal infrastructure and fewer work prospects.

Moreover, working in conjunction with the Foundation, the resort will nurture its natural environment through partnerships with organisations such as, Wildlife Alliance and The Cambodian Government.  This will enable guests to explore this pristine wilderness, while making the lowest possible impact on the land, offering a luxury adventure with intimate access to one of Asia’s most stunning forest ecosystems.