History
: On 1 November 1993, King Norodom Sihanouk issued a Royal Decree
concerning the Creation and Designation of Protected Areas,
resurrecting Cambodia's commitment to developing a national
system of protected areas following decades of civil conflict.
The Parks were selected as a "natural and scenic area of
significance for its scientific, educational and recreational
values".
Map of National Parks
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- Phnom
Kulen
Holy
legendary place of Khmer
- Kirirom
National Park
Pain
forest and limpid stream
- Bokor
National Park
1000m
high plateau near South Caost
- Riam
National Park
Mangrove
swamp and wild animals
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The
Ministry of Environment is responsible for management and protection
of all national parks in Cambodia. But the parks are threatened
by various illegal activities, including charcoal production,
hunting fishing and logging. These issues are being addressed
through a combination of law enforcement, education and community
development programs. Donations to future Park management will
be gratefully accepted and can be made at Park headquarters.
- quote Cambodia National Parks -
Kirirom
National Park Koh Kong |
The
park is situated 120 km west of Phnom Penh, in the Kampong Speu
province. It covers an area of 35.000 hectares (350 km²)
and is estimated to be composed of natural and semi-natural
vegetation.
The
park is a mountain resort (800 m above sea level), known for
its pine tree covered hills, water falls and lakes. It was a
favourite retreat for King Sihanouk in the 1960s. Unfortunately,
the king’s villas, roads and other infrastructures were all
destroyed during the Khmer rouge era.
The
park was declared a national park after the government troops
won it back in 1992. The park is only open to visitors since
1997. Visitors are mainly Khmer people coming at the week-end
or for holidays.
It’s
the only Cambodian park that can be visited on a one day return
trip from the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh or as a stop over
on the way to the coast.
I
visited the national park in 2002. I was doing an internship
in Cambodia and I went to Kirirom for a mushroom inspection.
Being a scientific mission I had a special permit made by the
national park authorities. That allowed me to go anywhere in
the park.
The
Kirirom landscape includes mountains and hills, up to 800 m
in altitude, and water sheds and talwegs, where the water is
drained to the lower part of the park.
The
pine trees forest, which is peculiar of this park, is only found
between 600 and 800 m altitude, with a clear undergrowth of
graminaceous. That’s where Nepenthes smilesii thrives. It grows
among low graminaceous on sandstone soil covered with pine needles.
The
number of plants you will find is varying in my opinion according
to the competition with graminaceous. In some places the last
ones are so present that nepenthes are absent. Colour of plants
ranges from almost totally green to green with red marks and
to totally red. They are rarely all red or all green but generally
green with red marks. The biggest specimen I found had 30 cm
long pitchers.
If
you go down to 600 m altitude, you don't find anymore nepenthes
and the vegetation is much more dense.
The
average annual rainfall in the Kirirom national park is about
2.000 mm. The best time to visit the park is just after the
rainy season which occurs between May and October. Since its
opening in the late 1990s the park's facilities have improved
to attract more visitors. You’ll find the accommodation suiting
your budget from the luxury resort to the simple guesthouse.
You can also contact travel agencies in Phnom Penh that will
arrange day trips to the park. If you wish to visit more than
one or two areas, you are better have your own transport (4x4
car or motorbike).
Gateway of nature trail
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Monks played at waterfall
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The panoramic view from Bokor hill is magnificent
Bokor,
a 1000m plateau, is home to a wide variety of animal and plant
species, spans 1,400 square kilometers. But the park is now
under threat by illegal hunting and logging, and has only
50rangers to protect it. A new conservation project is now
underway and gives hope to Bokor's future. Rangers are being
trained and equipped to patrol the park and work cooperatively
with local communities. This project needs your help, please
do not litter in the park. Entrance fees are the only source
of income for basic operating costs. Enjoy your visit.
- quote Bokor National Park -
Cambodia
Bokor National Park
Bokor
National Park is located at the southern tip of the Elephant
Mountains near the Cambodia Viet nam border. It was first accessed
in 1916 and developed later as a famous altitude resort during
the French Protectorate and Prince Norodom Sihanouk regime in
the 60's. The hill station has been abandon twice in its history,
once when the Vietnamese overran the place in the late 40's
while fighting for independence against the French, and then
again in 1972 when it was overran by the Khmer Rouge.
This
Cambodian National Park was founded in 1993 and it consists of
untouched jungle, waterfalls, rivers and much more. A fabulous
view of both the Cambodian and Vietnamese coast and islands can
be seen form the top as it is 1081 meters above sea level.
Recently,
the park has been receiving funding to focuses on protection,
monitoring of wildlife and community out reach programs. Since
this program began, poaching of endangered animals and illegal
logging has diminished.
The
Hill Station has only been open to tourist since 1997. It consist
of a collection of French colonial buildings (hotel, church, casino,
a royal residence etc.) constructed in the 1920's. It now resembles
a surreal abandoned mid-western town in an American horror film.
This infamous hill station still has an untouched and mysterious
feel to it
There is cliff edge of the plateaus
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Ruins of Bokor Palace
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Bokor hill station founded by French in 1922 for summer resort,
At the present only church and this hotel "Bokor Palace"
remained of the past.
Ream National Park is 21,000 hectares costal park, which include
two islands situated 18 kilometers east of Sihanoukville.
Mangrove forest supports a rich diversity of flora and fauna.
You can visit the estuary, lowland evergreen forest, sandy
beach and so on.
Ream
National Park is located 18 km from Sihanoukville and a must
see while in Southern Cambodian. The park, which has been open
since 1993, encompasses 21,000 hectares including 15 000 hectares
of terrestrial and 6000 hectares of marine habitats. This Cambodian
national park offers secluded beaches, mangroves forests, tropical
jungles, 155 different species of birds, monkeys and during
the months of December, January and February the infamous white
fresh water dolphin.
The
Sihanoukville Eco tour includes a boat trip down the Prek Tuk
Sap River, through the mangrove forest, until it reaches the
sea, before continuing on to Koh Som Poch beach and Thmor Thom
Fishing Village. The duration of the boat trip is about 3 hours
and on the way you can watch birds, take short jungle walks,
swim, sunbathe and snorkel. A short walking tour of the fishing
village offers an opportunity to learn about the life of a Cambodian
fishing family.
The
Eco Tour also offers you a jungle trek to Meditation Mountain,
which is a place of worship for many Khmers, and offers a great
view of the park from the top. You will be guided by one of
the park rangers, who will give you information on the flora,
fauna and history of the area. The walk takes about 2 hours
from start to finish and is relatively easy.
For
those people that want more adventure we recomend the Bokor
National Park trip which is home to Tigers and trully wild jungle.
For those seeking a little less adventure or a more cultural
experience we recomend that you check out the Sihanoukville
Discovery and the Khmer Cooking class
Virachay
National Park is situated 45 kilometres north of Banlung. With
a total land area of 332,500 hectares, there are many varieties
of plants and trees and many different species of animals and
birds to be spotted in the forest.
Services
and activities
Visitors can participate in a number of activities with park
rangers granting various services to help visitors discover
Ream's diverse environment. Park Headquarters is 600m off
National Road 4 on Airport Road, opposite the entrance to
Keng Kong Airport.
at Ma Ou Ranger Station
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Boat
Trip
- Thmor
Tom Beach : $25 for 1 to 4 persons
- Koh
Thmei Beach : $35 for 1 to 4 persons
- Koh
Ses : $45 for 1 to 4 persons
Boat
trips require a ranger guide ($5 for guides)
Extra person needs $5 for each
Jungle
Walk
- Meditation
Mountain walk : 2 hours
- Toul
Creek walks : 2-3 hours
$2
for 1 person per hour
Walks require a ranger guide |
Transport to Ream : Taxi or moto taxis are available
from Sihanouk Ville telling the driver you wish to go to Ream.
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