Many travelers making their way around the highlights of Cambodia will spend some time in the lively coastal town of Sihanoukville. While the idyllic beaches are great for relaxation, not far outside of town is the diverse and pristine Ream National Park which is often overlooked by travelers but definitely worth a visit if you enjoy getting back to nature and stepping off the main tourist trail.
Ream National Park, also known as Preah Sihanouk National Park, is one of 7 national parks in Cambodia, and is located just 18 kilometers south-east of Sihanoukville and around 230km from the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh. The park has been officially protected since 1993 by royal decree of former King, His Majesty Norodom Sihanouk. The lush eco-system covers an area of 21,000 hectares, of which 15,000 hectares is land and 6,000 hectares is marine habitat, and offers mangroves, beaches, mountains and islands for exploration. Nature lovers are drawn to the diverse wildlife in the park, including dugongs and dolphins in the waters, monkeys and wild pigs in the jungles and over 200 different bird species including the great egret, the stork-billed kingfisher and the endangered painted stork.
There are plenty of hiking trails throughout the park, and treks to Meditation Mountain (Phnom Samathik) and Keng Kong Waterfall are popular. Another highlight is a boat trip along the mangrove-lined channels of Prek Toeuk River, which has salty water during the dry season and fresh water during the monsoon season. It is also worthwhile visiting the Buddhist temple, Wat Ream, which has a huge reclining Buddha and offers great views from the top of the hill. The beaches along the edge of the park offer picturesque spots to relax, as you sink your feet into the white sands and enjoy local seafood delicacies from a couple of small food stands.
When to go?
The best time to travel to Cambodia and visit Ream National Park is from October through to March. This is the dry season, when temperatures are more moderate. However it is possible to visit the park year-round and there are benefits to visiting during the wet season from June to October when the jungles are a deep, lush green and the waterfalls and rivers are at their most spectacular. Travelling during this time does require extra patience as transport can often affected by the heavy rains, so be sure to pack a good book and your wet weather gear!
A particularly good time to visit Ream National Park is from December to February when you can see dolphins in the Prek Toeuk Sap River.
How to get there?
Visiting Ream National Park is easy to do on your own. From Sihanoukville a return trip by moto costs around US$5 - US$10, depending on how well you negotiate and how long you plan to stay at the park. Local private taxis can also be booked for around US$25 - US$30 for the day. Rangers can guide you for only a couple of dollars per hour, and it's advisable to visit the headquarters to speak with the rangers and gather information before heading into the park. The office is located opposite the entrance to the airport.
If you would prefer a guided tour, this is also easy to organise locally in Sihanoukville at your hotel or a local tourism office. Tours from Sihanoukville often include pick up from your hotel, transport to and from the park and sightseeing while you are there including boat rides and walking tours. These tours tend to be full-day tours, starting around 7 or 8am and returning to Sihanoukville in the late afternoon.
Whichever option you choose be sure to carry plenty of drinking water and some food for the day, as there is little available in the park.
Explore the majestic Angkor temples, sail along the mighty Mekong River, trek along jungle paths or snorkel off idyllic sandy beaches. At Cambodia Online our travel specialists can help you build your own independent Cambodia travel adventure.
Article Source: Nadia_Flint
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