Prek Toal
Nature Reserve Tonle Sap bird sanctuary with large waterbird colonies
At the Tonle Sap’s northwest floodplain, Prek Toal is a protected bird sanctuary where boat tours find nesting storks and riverine forest wildlife during the dry season.
Prek Toal is a core bird-protection area on the northwestern margins of the Tonle Sap lake in Cambodia and forms part of the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve. It is internationally important for breeding colonies of large waterbirds and several globally threatened species.
The site comprises seasonally flooded forest and river channels where trees provide nesting platforms for storks, pelicans and other large colonial waterbirds. Tourists and birdwatchers visit by boat to view nesting colonies from raised hides and river channels during the dry season when nesting is most concentrated.
Prek Toal is managed as a protected area with conservation monitoring and limited visitor access to reduce disturbance to nesting colonies. It lies on the Tonle Sap floodplain and is reached by boat from nearby towns and floating villages.
- Conservation status: Part of the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve and recognised for large nesting colonies of waterbirds, especially during the dry season when water levels concentrate breeding sites.
- Access: Access is by boat through flooded forest channels; travel times vary with the lake's seasonal water levels and the nearest launch points are outside the core sanctuary.
How to Get to Prek Toal #
Prek Toal is a bird‑sanctuary area on the northwest edge of Tonlé Sap and is reached only by boat. Most visitors travel from Siem Reap: arrange a tour or private longboat that departs from the Tonlé Sap piers at Chong Kneas or Kompong Phluk (both are reached by a short drive from Siem Reap town). From Siem Reap you’ll drive to the pier (by tuk‑tuk, taxi or tour van) then take a boat ride of roughly 1.5-2 hours to Prek Toal; public transit direct to the sanctuary is not available, so organized boat transfers are the normal option.
Tips for Visiting Prek Toal #
- Visit at first light - sunrise boat trips during the dry season (roughly December-April) offer the best bird activity and light for photography.
- Book a trip through a reputable eco-lodge or tour operator that includes the sanctuary's floating hides; trips to Prek Toal are long (half- to full-day) so expect substantial boat travel time from Siem Reap.
- Ask your guide to include visits to the nesting islands and bird hides rather than only floating villages - the hides give much closer views of breeding waterbirds like storks and spoonbills.
Best Time to Visit Prek Toal #
For best birdwatching and easier boat access, go in the dry months (November-March), with prime activity in the mornings.
Weather & Climate near Prek Toal #
Prek Toal's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with hot summers (peaking in April) and warm winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 20°C to 34°C. Abundant rainfall (1186 mm/year), wettest in September with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 20°C. The driest month with just 1 mm.
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February
February is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 21°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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March
March is hot, feeling like 29°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is the hottest month, feeling like 33°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is hot, feeling like 34°C due to high humidity. Significant rainfall (130 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is hot, feeling like 33°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (147 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (147 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (149 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is hot, feeling like 32°C with oppressive humidity. The wettest month with heavy rain (234 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is hot, feeling like 30°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (190 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Regular rainfall (81 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 20°C. Light rainfall.
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