Cambodia National Parks & Protected Areas

Q: Which Cambodian national park is best for wildlife viewing?

Virachey National Park in Ratanakiri is widely considered the best for serious wildlife viewing, with intact lowland rainforest sheltering elephants, gibbons, hornbills, and rare sun bears. The Cardamom Mountains (Botum Sakor NP) are excellent for a broader range of mammals including clouded leopards and binturongs. Ream National Park near Sihanoukville is great for coastal species and mangrove wildlife like otters and estuarine crocodiles.

Q: Do I need a permit to visit Cambodian national parks?

Most Cambodian national parks require an entry fee rather than an advance permit, typically $5–$20 for foreigners, paid at the park entrance. However, for multi-day trekking in remote parks like Virachey or deep Cardamom areas, a mandatory licensed guide and advance booking with the park office or a registered tour operator is required. Always check current requirements with the Ministry of Environment before visiting remote parks.

Q: What's the best time to visit Cambodian national parks?

The dry season from November to March is the best time for most parks. Trails are passable, river crossings are safe, and wildlife gathers around shrinking water sources, making sightings more likely. The wet season (May–October) turns many trails to mud and can make roads impassable, but it brings lush landscapes and is excellent for birdwatching. Avoid visiting during the hottest months of April–May before the rains arrive.

Q: Can I camp in Cambodian national parks?

Camping is possible in several Cambodian national parks but almost always requires a licensed guide and prior arrangement. Virachey and parts of the Cardamom Mountains offer multi-day camping treks with ranger-guided itineraries. Bokor and Kirirom have more accessible camping with basic facilities. Independent camping without a guide is generally not permitted in ecologically sensitive zones. Book through reputable eco-tour operators to ensure compliance and safety.

From misty mountain plateaus to vast rainforests and Southeast Asia's largest lake, Cambodia's national parks and protected areas offer extraordinary biodiversity and adventure. Explore 12 destinations covering over 36,000 km² of protected wilderness.

All Parks & Protected Areas

🏔 National ParkKampot

Bokor National Park

Rising dramatically above the Cambodian coast, Bokor National Park is one of the country's most atmospheric destinations. The mist-shrouded plateau at 1,080 meters features an eeri…

1,581 km²0–1,080m6 activities$5 for foreigners, free for Cambodians

🏔 National ParkKampong Speu

Kirirom National Park

Kirirom National Park is Cambodia's most accessible highland escape, located just 112 km southwest of Phnom Penh. Known locally as Preah Suramarit Kossomak Kirirom, the park is uni…

350 km²500–700m6 activities$5 for foreigners, 5,000 riel for Cambodians

🏔 National ParkRatanakiri

Virachey National Park

Virachey National Park is Cambodia's largest protected area and one of the last great wilderness areas in mainland Southeast Asia. Spanning over 3,325 km² of unbroken rainforest al…

3,325 km²200–1,500m5 activities$25–65 per person per day (includes guide, food, equipment)

🏔 National ParkPreah Sihanouk

Ream National Park

Ream National Park protects a rare combination of coastal and marine habitats just 18 km from Sihanoukville. The park encompasses mangrove estuaries, sandy beaches, coral reefs, an…

210 km²0–200m6 activities$5 for foreigners

🏔 National ParkKoh Kong

Botum Sakor National Park

Botum Sakor is Cambodia's largest coastal national park, occupying a vast peninsula in Koh Kong Province. It protects a significant portion of the Cardamom Mountains ecosystem, wit…

1,834 km²0–600m5 activities$5 for foreigners

🏔 National ParkSiem Reap

Phnom Kulen National Park

Phnom Kulen is Cambodia's most sacred mountain and the legendary birthplace of the Khmer Empire. In 802 AD, King Jayavarman II declared independence from Java on this mountaintop, …

373 km²200–487m5 activities$20 for foreigners (separate from Angkor Pass)

🏔 National ParkKep

Kep National Park

Kep National Park is a compact gem perfect for a morning or afternoon hike. Despite its small size, the park offers an excellent network of well-marked trails through dense tropica…

50 km²0–308m5 activitiesFree

🌿 Protected AreaKoh Kong / Pursat

Cardamom Mountains

The Cardamom Mountains contain the largest intact rainforest in mainland Southeast Asia, stretching across Koh Kong, Pursat, and Battambang Provinces. This ancient mountain range i…

4,400 km²200–1,813m7 activitiesVaries by area — Chi Phat treks from $15/day; other areas via conservation groups

🦅 Wildlife SanctuaryMondulkiri

Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary

Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary is one of Cambodia's most important conservation areas, protecting vast tracts of evergreen and semi-evergreen forest in Mondulkiri Province. The sanct…

2,927 km²100–800m5 activities$5 plus guide fees ($15–30/day)

🦅 Wildlife SanctuaryPreah Vihear

Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary

Kulen Promtep is Cambodia's largest wildlife sanctuary and one of the most important habitats for the critically endangered giant ibis — Cambodia's national bird. The vast dry dipt…

4,025 km²50–500m4 activities$30–50 per person (includes guide, accommodation, meals)

🦅 Wildlife SanctuaryKampong Thom / Stung Treng

Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary

Prey Lang is the largest remaining block of lowland evergreen forest on mainland Southeast Asia's Indochinese peninsula. Spanning four provinces, this critical wilderness area is h…

4,318 km²50–300m4 activitiesDonation-based ($10–20 suggested)

🌊 Biosphere ReserveSiem Reap / Battambang

Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve

Tonle Sap is Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake and one of the most productive inland fisheries in the world. Designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1997, the lake undergoe…

14,812 km²0–20m6 activities$20 for Chong Kneas, $20 for Kompong Phluk, $35 for Prek Toal bird sanctuary

Planning Your Visit

🌤 Best Season

November–March (dry season) is ideal for most parks. Rivers are crossable, trails are dry, and wildlife congregates around water sources.

🎒 What to Bring

Sturdy shoes, long pants, insect repellent, water, sunscreen, and binoculars. For multi-day treks: hammock, headlamp, and leech socks.

💰 Entry Fees

Most parks charge $5–20 for foreigners. Multi-day guided treks (Virachey, Cardamoms) cost $25–65/day including guides and meals.

🦎 Wildlife Tips

Start early (dawn is best), move quietly, and always hire local guides who know animal behavior and habitats. Binoculars are essential.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many national parks are in Cambodia?

Cambodia has 7 official national parks, along with multiple wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves, and protected areas — totaling over 60 protected zones covering roughly 36,000 km² of land. The major national parks include Bokor, Kirirom, Phnom Kulen, Ream, Botum Sakor, Virachey, and Preah Monivong (Kep). Together these protected areas shelter much of Cambodia's remaining old-growth forest and biodiversity.

Which Cambodian national park is best for wildlife viewing?

Do I need a permit to visit Cambodian national parks?

What's the best time to visit Cambodian national parks?

Can I camp in Cambodian national parks?

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