Virachey National Park

Virachey National Park is a large protected area in northeastern Cambodia, primarily in Ratanakiri province, created to conserve extensive tracts of tropical forest. It encompasses rugged terrain along the border regions with Laos and Vietnam and is one of Cambodia’s largest national parks.

The park is prized for remote jungle landscapes, river valleys and mountain foothills of the Annamite range rather than developed visitor facilities. Trekking, wildlife observation and visits to indigenous communities are the main activities, but routes are often rough and require local guides and multi-day logistics.

Virachey was established by the Cambodian government in the early 1990s to protect its remaining forests and wildlife after decades of conflict in the region. Conservation and management have been ongoing challenges because of the park’s size, remoteness and limited infrastructure.

Located in northeastern Cambodia, Virachey spans parts of Ratanakiri and neighbouring provinces and borders both Laos and Vietnam. The park lies well away from Cambodia’s major urban centres and is reached from the provincial towns in the northeast.

• Access: Large areas are remote and access is limited by rough forest roads and seasonal river conditions, so travel usually requires local guides and basic logistical planning.
• Biodiversity: The park protects lowland and montane rainforest in the Annamite foothills and supports populations of large mammals and diverse birdlife typical of Indochina.