Looking for something unique, meaningful, and fascinating to do with kids in Siem Reap? Our visit to the Apopo Visitor Centre quickly became a family favourite.
Hidden just outside the bustling center of Siem Reap is one of Cambodia’s most unique and inspiring attractions—the Apopo Visitor Centre, home to the real-life heroes of the minefields: giant African pouched rats. These clever rodents are trained to sniff out landmines, and they’re helping to save lives across the country.
What Is Apopo?
Apopo is a non-profit organization helping communities around the world recover from the deadly legacy of landmines. Their work in Cambodia is part of a broader global effort to make post-conflict areas safe again using an unlikely hero—the rat.
The Legacy of Landmines in Cambodia
Cambodia is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, a devastating legacy of recent conflict, particularly the civil war and the rise of the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s. An estimated six million landmines and explosive devices were planted during the war. Although clearance efforts have made incredible progress, removing around 60%, the remaining 40% still threaten the safety of many rural communities.
Since 1971, landmines have claimed nearly 20,000 lives and injured over 45,000 people. Despite international support and technology, demining is an arduous, expensive, and dangerous process. That’s where the Apopo rats come in.
Why Rats?
As strange as it might sound, rats are perfectly suited for the job. Apopo’s specially trained giant African pouched rats can detect one trillionth of a gram of TNT, and because they weigh under 3 pounds, they’re too light to trigger the mines they uncover.
Their small size and incredible sense of smell allow them to move freely across a minefield, identifying the precise locations of buried explosives—something traditional metal detectors struggle with. Even dogs, commonly used in demining, can’t match the rats’ ability to pinpoint individual mines. One rat can search an area the size of a tennis court in just 30 minutes—a job that would take a human with a metal detector up to four days.
Meeting the Hero Rats
Visiting the Apopo Centre was one of the most meaningful and memorable experiences we had in Cambodia. The tour is just about an hour short, but it’s packed with fascinating information and hands-on learning. Our guide walked us through the organization’s history, how the rats are trained, and what it’s like to work in the field.
The best part? A live demonstration. We got to see a real Hero Rat in action, sniffing a training exercise with remarkable focus and speed. Afterward, there was a chance to hold one (optional, of course)—a surprisingly gentle and endearing encounter.
Our kids were captivated the entire time. The tour is designed to be interactive and family-friendly, making it a great educational stop if you’re travelling with children.
Rat Life
With such an important job, these animals are treated with great care and respect. As nocturnal animals, the rats work only during the cooler morning hours—up early, slathered with sunscreen (yes, really!) by their handlers before heading into the field for 3–4 hours. After about four years of service, the rats retire and spend the rest of their lives peacefully at the center.
Plan Your Visit
• Where: Apopo Visitor Centre, Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Cost: USD 8 per adult (free for children under 12)
• Duration: ~1 hour
• What’s Included: Guided tour, training and demining demonstration, and the chance to meet a Hero Rat.
Why It Matters
Since launching in Cambodia in 2016, Apopo has expanded from one rat team to four, with funding allowing continued efforts to make the country safer. So far, the Hero Rats have uncovered 5,000 landmines and over 41,000 other explosives—a staggering number with real-life impact for the people who live near these danger zones. With the project’s current funding, they believe it will take another 10 to 15 years to clear the remaining 40%.
An Afternoon with the Heroes
The Apopo Rat Centre isn’t just an unusual stop on your Siem Reap itinerary—it’s a window into a remarkable solution to a tragic problem, and a chance to support life-saving work. For our family, it was both eye-opening and uplifting, a reminder that even the smallest heroes can make a massive difference.
Ready to Explore Cambodia?
Check out these related posts to help plan your trip:
• Up Close with Pangolins: Cambodia’s Phnom Tamao Wildlife Reserve
• Visiting the Killing Fields: Teaching Our Kids Cambodia’s Painful Past
• Three-Day Itinerary in Siem Reap with Kids
• Fun Things to Do in Siem Reap with Kids
• Exploring Angkor Wat with Kids
