Botum Sakor National Park
Park Cambodian coastal rainforest park with beaches and biodiversity
Cambodia’s largest protected area in Koh Kong province combines lowland rainforest and coastline; visitors come for jungle trekking, coastal beaches and wildlife surveys in a sparsely settled landscape.
Botum Sakor National Park is a large protected area in Koh Kong province on Cambodia’s southwest coast combining lowland evergreen forest, coastal plains, mangroves and beaches. The park protects a range of coastal and terrestrial habitats that support large mammals and forest-dwelling wildlife.
The landscape ranges from low coastal plains and beaches to forested foothills that link with the Cardamom Mountains. The park is valued for its biodiversity, including populations of large mammals and a range of primates, and for its coastal ecosystems.
Management and use of the park aim to conserve habitat while accommodating limited tourism and local livelihoods, but much of the area remains remote and lightly developed.
Botum Sakor lies along Cambodia’s Gulf of Thailand coast in Koh Kong province, stretching inland from the shoreline toward the lower slopes of the Cardamom Mountain range.
- Access and logistics: Access is typically from Koh Kong province and facilities are limited in much of the park, so trips often require local guides or 4x4 transport.
Tips for Visiting Botum Sakor National Park #
- Plan your visit for the dry season (roughly November-April) - roads and forest tracks become difficult or impassable in the rainy months, which limits access to key parts of the park.
- Arrange transport and a local guide from Koh Kong or nearby towns before you travel; sections of the park are remote and unmarked, and guides improve your chances of wildlife sightings and safe navigation.
- Base yourself near the park entrance or stay multiple nights so you can reach both coastal areas and interior forest at dawn and dusk when wildlife activity is highest; check with the park administration about any permits or fees required in advance.
Best Time to Visit Botum Sakor National Park #
Best in the dry season (November-April) when trails and coastal access are most reliable and rain is minimal.
Weather & Climate near Botum Sakor National Park #
Botum Sakor National Park's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 21°C to 33°C. Heavy rainfall (3267 mm/year), wettest in July with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 21°C. The driest month with just 8 mm and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is hot, feeling like 31°C due to high humidity. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is the hottest month, feeling like 33°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (105 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (350 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is hot, feeling like 30°C with oppressive humidity. Heavy rain (590 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (693 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). Heavy rain (577 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). Heavy rain (474 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (269 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Regular rainfall (87 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
