Cambodia Vacation Packages: Well-Known Parks in Cambodia for Wildlife Lovers

Starting with tourism in the 90s, Cambodia has attracted many visitors to pagodas, temples, memorials, and Angkor Wat. However, few people know this country is also famous for many of the largest national parks in Southeast Asia, some of which are also recognized as ASEAN Heritage Parks. Here is a list of “well-known parks in Cambodia for wildlife lovers” that you cannot ignore. Keep on reading and book a nature tour right away!

Parks in Cambodia

Botum Sakor

Location

Botum Sakor is a peninsula in the southwestern part of the Cardamom Mountains, on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand. This national park stretches over three districts of Koh Kong, Botum Sakor, and Kiri Sakor, with more than 1,825 square kilometers. Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment was established in 1993 to preserve biodiversity here.

Landscape & Climate

The climate at Botum Sakor is tropical monsoon. As a result, most of its areas are covered with forests and green grasslands. Meanwhile, mangroves and forests account for only a small number. High tide also frequently occurs twice a day, with an amplitude of about 1.5m.

Things To Visit

Diverse vegetation is a prerequisite for wild animals to develop and multiply. This variety includes:

• Mammals: more than 44 species, with eight species written in the IUCN Red List. Such as Indochinese lutung, Sunda pangolin, Bengal slow loris, Asian elephant, etc.
• Amphibians and reptiles: only a few species, mostly snakes, play an important role in the ecosystem.
• Birds: more than a hundred species, especially the white-winged duck, are almost extinct in Asia.
• Insects: 147 species of lepidopterans, 38 species of Satyrinae per habitat, and more.

Furthermore, you also can participate in activities like a true ranger, such as checking animal traps, kayaking in the river, or hiking through the forest to learn about the life of plants and animals. Botum Sakor is open daily for visitors to visit. The ticket is free and only $5 if you need a tour guide.

Ream

Location

Ream National Park, officially known as Preah Sihanouk Ream, is located 18 km from Sihanoukville. To conserve biological and natural resources, the Cambodian Government established this 210 square kilometers national park in 1993.

Landscape & Climate

Ream has two parts consisting of 150km2 of the land and 60km2 of the sea, surrounding 21 islands. In particular, the two largest beautiful islands are Koh Thmei and Koh Seh. Ream’sReam’s vegetation is diverse, including mangrove, evergreen forest, freshwater forest, coral reefs, beach, etc. So in April and May, the area humidity may be high, causing moisture and needing drainage. Meanwhile, December and January are cooler and less humid, also suitable for tourism.

Things To Visit

The Government also only allows fishers living on the island to fish so that the island keeps as peaceful as possible. Thus, the main attraction of this national park is the pristine beauty of nature. Ream is home to various animals such as dugongs, mouse-deers, cranes, rhesus monkeys, baboons, pelicans, etc. In addition, around this place, more than 5,500 households live, equivalent to 30,000 people. They are divided into 13 villages within the area and four adjacent communes. The entry ticket is free, but you need to pay $2 – $3 to hire a ranger for hiking. If you want to travel by boat, it will cost you $6 – $7 per person.

Virachey

Location

Virachey National Park was established in 2004 by the Cambodian Ministry of Environment. It covers an area of 3,380 square kilometers, spanning the two provinces of Ratanakiri and Stung Treng, and is the largest national park in the country.

Landscape & Climate

Most of the Virachey area is located at an altitude of 400 -1,500m, with diverse topography. Some must be mentioned, such as bamboo ramparts, dense evergreen, montane forests, mixed forests, swamps, etc. Along with them are natural landscapes such as waterfalls and mountains, creating diverse habitats for plants and animals.

Things To Visit

Virachey is home to mammals (15), birds (100), amphibians (25), reptiles (35), fish (37), katydid (19), and ants (30). Some unique animals include the Asiatic black bear, Siamese fireback, Germain’sGermain’s peacock, Asiatic softshell turtle, etc.

Here, visitors can learn how to make traditional medicine and food from these plants. Or you may join one of the Cambodia vacation packages:

• Phnom Veal Thom Wilderness: 7-8 days, $207.5/person
• Sacred Mountain Kalang Chhouy: 2-3 days, $64/person
• O’LapeungO’Lapeung Trekking: 3-4 days, $160/person
• You will stay at homestays in the village or camp overnight in the forest on each trip. Particularly, visitors who join the O’Lapeung trip will use kayaks to return.

Kirirom

Location

The full name of this national park is Suramarit-Kossamak Kirirom, which means “Happy Mountain”. It also has another ancient name, Phnom Vorvong Sorvong, associated with the legend of the sibling hero Vorvong and Sorvong. This 350 km2 national park has most of the area in Kampong Speu province, and the rest is in Koh Kong province.

Landscape & Climate

Kirirom is located at 675m above sea level, with vegetation mainly pine forests. This place is the main source of water supply for Kampong Speu town. The average temperature here ranges from 25 to 34 degrees Celsius and has little rainfall, so it is always ready for tourists.

Things To Visit

Kirirom is a place to preserve pine trees, orchids, and beautiful waterfalls. There is not much wildlife, but you can see more than a hundred different species of birds. You may visit King Sihanouk’s castle traces, which the Khmer Rouge destroyed in 1992. Then, you can join the hiking through pỉne forest with ranger or local.

Preah Monivong

Location

Preah Monivong Bokor is a national park in Kampot province, with 1,423 square kilometers. It was established in 1993 and recognized as an ASEAN park.

Landscape & Climate

Most of the national park is located at an altitude of 1,000m above the ground, of which the highest is Phnom Bokor peak with an altitude of 1,081m. Therefore, the climate is quite fresh, creating good conditions for much different vegetation to grow. These include: mixed forest, rainforest, primary forest, etc., and are surrounded by waterfalls, rivers, and high cliffs.

Things To Visit

Preah Monivong is home to many species of absolute arrangements, such as the Asian elephant. Indochinese tiger, leopard, black bear, etc. Besides, there is also a horned bird among 300 species of birds. The community house is repurposed from the abandoned French Hill station and the large Bokor Palace hotel. Elephant Mountain is the highest point of this national park, where you can see the entire Cambodian coast at its peak.

One note that guests need to know is that they should follow the instructions of a guide or ranger. Most of the national parks in Cambodia were battle sites during the war. As a result, there are still some unexploited minefields. Also, the price of Cambodia vacation packages usually includes food and water, accommodation, and a guide or ranger, rather than an entrance ticket, since it is free.

In Sum

The article has provided information on five famous national parks in Cambodia. Diverse vegetation, rich flora, and fauna have helped them be included in the national conservation program. The national parks are free entry to raise awareness of environmental protection and nature conservation. However, it would be best to have a guide, so you do not get lost in a minefield or danger zone. Hope the “well-known parks in Cambodia for wildlife lovers” list may inspire you to visit these nature reserves and the nation of Angkor Wat temple.

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