Botum Sakor National Park Travel Guide

Botum Sakor National Park is a half million acre protected area in southern Cambodia on the Gulf of Thailand. It sits on a peninsula and goes up into the Cardamom Mountains, covering the districts of Koh Kong, Kiri Sakor, and Botum Sakor in Koh Kong province.

Botum Sakor National Park is a fairly large park (about 30 miles across) and covers land and sea, with high mountains and delectable Thai Gulf coastline. The wildlife in Botum Sakor National Park is quite diverse and includes around two dozen elephants and a range of big cats and primates.

The peninsula that the park is located on has beaches all the way around its flanks and bottom, the most accessible of which are on the west coast, which is, sadly, due for tourist development in the near future. The beaches on the east coast, and especially down in the southeast, are less accessible.

The highest point in Botum Sakor National Park is a 1,300-foot peak near the middle but you need to arrange a hike with a ranger from the park’s headquarters. You can also charter a long-tail boat in Andong Tuek or in Sihanoukville, to the south. These places also have the nearest accommodation, although you can also stay at the Ta Nun ranger station onsite.

In brief

What is it? A stunning national park in the south of Cambodia that occupies a peninsula and has beaches and mountains.

Opening hours: daily.
Entrance fees: charge, tour guide US$5 per day.

Address/website: www.lonelyplanet.com/cambodia/south-coast/koh-kong-conservation-corridor/sights/499804.

Where: about 120 miles southwest of Phnom Penh, with the park headquarters a couple of miles from Andong Tuek.

How to get there: buses travel the new NH48 to Andong Tuek route from Phnom Penh in about 4 hours. By boat from Sihanoukville or Koh Sdach is also possible.