After days filled with temples, tuktuks and surprise supermarkets, today was something different.
Gentle. Quiet. And moving.
We took a short ride out of town to Butterfly Paradise, a peaceful, blooming sanctuary run by SALT Ministries and walked straight into a world where beauty and purpose flutter side by side.
From the moment we stepped in, we were surrounded by butterflies thousands of them, flitting through tropical plants, dancing between flowers, and occasionally pausing just long enough to perch on a curious child’s hand.
Dotty squealed every time one fluttered close, and Georgia was absolutely chuffed when a brilliant blue butterfly landed on her arm and almost stayed there long enough for a photo.
The garden is alive not just with insects, but with colour, life, and peace.
There are shaded paths, koi ponds, benches tucked beneath overgrown vines, and tiny bridges spanning trickling streams. It’s beautifully designed but never flashy — the kind of place that lets nature do the talking.
Dotty and Georgia loved feeding the fish, that was an absolute win!
what makes Butterfly Paradise truly special isn’t just the garden… it’s what it supports.
Behind the Wings: The Orphanage at Wat Preah Yesu Butterfly Paradise is a social project.
All profits go directly to supporting the children’s home at Wat Preah Yesu, where SALT Ministries cares for over a hundred children orphaned or abandoned, many due to poverty, HIV/AIDS, or family breakdown.
This isn’t an institutional orphanage. It’s set up like a village.
Children live in family style homes with Cambodian house parents, attend a school run on site, and are given long term care in a safe, faith-based community.
While we walked through the butterfly enclosure, we were also walking past a deeper story one of second chances and resilience.
Some of the young people working in the garden or shop were once raised by this very orphanage and the girl who took the money for entrance was proud to tell us her story, her mother died and her father was an alcoholic so she went to the orphanage, she said it was a wonderful place and beamed with pride!
There’s also a vegetarian café on site if you arrive early or want a quiet spot to sit, cheap and good quality food served to order
The thing that stood out, no pressure to donate. There are no guilt trips or upsells. Just a quiet explanation near the entrance:
“Your visit helps feed, clothe, and educate children who need it most.”
That was enough for us.
Our tuktuk driver waited a three full hours for us to explore, for just a few dollars. Cambodian kindness in action. We tipped well, of course.
Tips for Visiting Butterfly Paradise
🦋 Go in the morning – it’s cooler, and butterflies are more active.
🦋 Bring small cash – there’s a small entry fee and optional donations.
🦋 Don’t rush – you’ll want time to sit, watch, and feel it all sink in.
🦋 Talk to the team – many speak English and are happy to share the story behind the place.
🦋 Check opening times – usually open weekdays, 9am–4:30pm.
A Quiet Kind of Magic
It’s easy to get caught up in the big sights when you travel the Angkor Wats, the jungle ziplines, the market buzz… But this? This was different.
Butterfly Paradise reminded us that small places can hold big meaning.
We ended the day with a quick swim, sure but it was those butterflies, and the stories behind them, that stayed with us.
