APOPO Visitor Center (HeroRATs)

APOPO Visitor Center

45 minutes with rats that sniff out landmines

Hours

Tours every 30 minutes 08:30–11:30 and 13:00–16:30 (Wikivoyage; check on site)

Tickets

US$10 (per Wikivoyage; check on site)

Address

Trapeang Ses village, Kouk Chak commune, Koumai Road

A cat-sized African giant pouched rat on a harness zig-zags with its nose to the ground, then scratches at the spot where it smells explosive. It's too light to set off a mine and covers ground far faster than a team with metal detectors. The centre, run by the Belgian non-profit APOPO, runs guided tours every half hour: why Cambodia still has mines in the ground, a demonstration of a rat at work, and, if you're lucky, a chance to stroke one. You'll also hear about Magawa, the rat who found 71 mines and 38 pieces of unexploded ordnance before retiring.