v2.webp){kind=logo}
Koh Kong Mangrove Walkway
This isn’t your average boardwalk. Picture a winding wooden path slicing through a dense, salt-scented mangrove forest, with roots like gnarled fingers clutching the mud. You’ll spot mudskippers, crabs, and—if you’re lucky—a flash of iridescent kingfisher. The best part? Early morning, when the air is cool and the only sound is your own footsteps. Skip the midday heat unless you want to sweat like a local fisherman.
Peam Krasaop Wildlife Sanctuary
A sprawling wetland that feels like Cambodia’s answer to the Everglades, minus the crowds. Hire a local boat and glide through labyrinthine waterways. You’ll see stilt villages, floating shrimp farms, and maybe even a rare Irrawaddy dolphin if the river gods are smiling. The sanctuary is a masterclass in slow travel: bring … read more 👉
This isn’t your average boardwalk. Picture a winding wooden path slicing through a dense, salt-scented mangrove forest, with roots like gnarled fingers clutching the mud. You’ll spot mudskippers, crabs, and—if you’re lucky—a flash of iridescent kingfisher. The best part? Early morning, when the air is cool and the only sound is your own footsteps. Skip the midday heat unless you want to sweat like a local fisherman.
Peam Krasaop Wildlife Sanctuary
A sprawling wetland that feels like Cambodia’s answer to the Everglades, minus the crowds. Hire a local boat and glide through labyrinthine waterways. You’ll see stilt villages, floating shrimp farms, and maybe even a rare Irrawaddy dolphin if the river gods are smiling. The sanctuary is a masterclass in slow travel: bring … read more 👉
Koh Kong Mangrove Walkway
This isn’t your average boardwalk. Picture a winding wooden path slicing through a dense, salt-scented mangrove forest, with roots like gnarled fingers clutching the mud. You’ll spot mudskippers, crabs, and—if you’re lucky—a flash of iridescent kingfisher. The best part? Early morning, when the air is cool and the only sound is your own footsteps. Skip the midday heat unless you want to sweat like a local fisherman.
Peam Krasaop Wildlife Sanctuary
A sprawling wetland that feels like Cambodia’s answer to the Everglades, minus the crowds. Hire a local boat and glide through labyrinthine waterways. You’ll see stilt villages, floating shrimp farms, and maybe even a rare Irrawaddy dolphin if the river gods are smiling. The sanctuary is a masterclass in slow travel: bring patience, binoculars, and a willingness to get a little muddy.
Koh Kong Island Beaches
Cambodia’s largest island is a wild, jungle-cloaked escape. The sand is powdery, the water is glass-clear, and you’ll often have entire stretches to yourself. Don’t expect beach bars or Wi-Fi—this is the anti-Phuket. The trade-off? Getting here takes a bumpy boat ride and a flexible schedule, but the reward is a castaway experience with just enough civilization (think: a hammock and a cold Angkor beer).
Tatai Waterfall
A local favorite for good reason. The falls are wide, multi-tiered, and surrounded by thick rainforest. You can swim, picnic, or just let the spray cool you off. Go on a weekday and you’ll share the place with dragonflies and the odd fisherman, not busloads of tourists. The real hack: hire a kayak from Tatai village and paddle upstream for a private approach.
Chi Phat Community-Based Ecotourism
This is where you trade comfort for connection. Stay in a homestay, eat with your hosts, and trek into the Cardamom Mountains with guides who grew up here. The wildlife is wild—think hornbills, gibbons, and maybe even elephants if you’re lucky. It’s not luxury, but it’s the kind of experience that sticks with you long after your tan fades.
Koh Sralau Village (Hidden Gem)
A floating village that’s still more about fishing than Instagram. The houses bob gently on the water, and the only traffic jams are caused by kids paddling home from school. Spend the night in a basic guesthouse, eat fresh crab, and watch the sun melt into the mangroves. Most travelers whiz past on their way to bigger sights—don’t make that mistake.
Thma Bang District (Hidden Gem)
If you want to see the Cardamoms before the world catches on, this is your shot. Thma Bang is remote, rugged, and refreshingly unpolished. The jungle treks here are raw—no boardwalks, just animal trails and the occasional leech. You’ll meet indigenous communities who still hunt and farm the old way. Bring cash, curiosity, and a sense of humor.
Bak Khlong Beach (Hidden Gem)
Forget the guidebooks—this stretch of sand is where local families go to picnic and swim. The vibe is laid-back, with a few seafood shacks serving up grilled squid and cold beer. Sunsets here are the real deal: fiery, unfiltered, and best enjoyed with your feet in the surf. It’s not fancy, but it’s real.
Tatai River Sunset Cruise
There’s something about drifting down the Tatai River at dusk, watching the jungle turn gold, that makes you forget about your inbox. Local boatmen know the best bends for spotting birds and the occasional monkey. Bring a sarong for the evening chill and a bottle of something to toast the day.
Kbal Chhay Prek Koh Waterfall
Not to be confused with the more famous Kbal Chhay near Sihanoukville, this local spot is a favorite for families and picnickers. The falls are smaller but the pools are perfect for a dip, especially after a hot hike. Go during the rainy season for the best flow, and pack your own snacks—there’s no tourist infrastructure, just nature and a few friendly faces.
This isn’t your average boardwalk. Picture a winding wooden path slicing through a dense, salt-scented mangrove forest, with roots like gnarled fingers clutching the mud. You’ll spot mudskippers, crabs, and—if you’re lucky—a flash of iridescent kingfisher. The best part? Early morning, when the air is cool and the only sound is your own footsteps. Skip the midday heat unless you want to sweat like a local fisherman.
Peam Krasaop Wildlife Sanctuary
A sprawling wetland that feels like Cambodia’s answer to the Everglades, minus the crowds. Hire a local boat and glide through labyrinthine waterways. You’ll see stilt villages, floating shrimp farms, and maybe even a rare Irrawaddy dolphin if the river gods are smiling. The sanctuary is a masterclass in slow travel: bring patience, binoculars, and a willingness to get a little muddy.
Koh Kong Island Beaches
Cambodia’s largest island is a wild, jungle-cloaked escape. The sand is powdery, the water is glass-clear, and you’ll often have entire stretches to yourself. Don’t expect beach bars or Wi-Fi—this is the anti-Phuket. The trade-off? Getting here takes a bumpy boat ride and a flexible schedule, but the reward is a castaway experience with just enough civilization (think: a hammock and a cold Angkor beer).
Tatai Waterfall
A local favorite for good reason. The falls are wide, multi-tiered, and surrounded by thick rainforest. You can swim, picnic, or just let the spray cool you off. Go on a weekday and you’ll share the place with dragonflies and the odd fisherman, not busloads of tourists. The real hack: hire a kayak from Tatai village and paddle upstream for a private approach.
Chi Phat Community-Based Ecotourism
This is where you trade comfort for connection. Stay in a homestay, eat with your hosts, and trek into the Cardamom Mountains with guides who grew up here. The wildlife is wild—think hornbills, gibbons, and maybe even elephants if you’re lucky. It’s not luxury, but it’s the kind of experience that sticks with you long after your tan fades.
Koh Sralau Village (Hidden Gem)
A floating village that’s still more about fishing than Instagram. The houses bob gently on the water, and the only traffic jams are caused by kids paddling home from school. Spend the night in a basic guesthouse, eat fresh crab, and watch the sun melt into the mangroves. Most travelers whiz past on their way to bigger sights—don’t make that mistake.
Thma Bang District (Hidden Gem)
If you want to see the Cardamoms before the world catches on, this is your shot. Thma Bang is remote, rugged, and refreshingly unpolished. The jungle treks here are raw—no boardwalks, just animal trails and the occasional leech. You’ll meet indigenous communities who still hunt and farm the old way. Bring cash, curiosity, and a sense of humor.
Bak Khlong Beach (Hidden Gem)
Forget the guidebooks—this stretch of sand is where local families go to picnic and swim. The vibe is laid-back, with a few seafood shacks serving up grilled squid and cold beer. Sunsets here are the real deal: fiery, unfiltered, and best enjoyed with your feet in the surf. It’s not fancy, but it’s real.
Tatai River Sunset Cruise
There’s something about drifting down the Tatai River at dusk, watching the jungle turn gold, that makes you forget about your inbox. Local boatmen know the best bends for spotting birds and the occasional monkey. Bring a sarong for the evening chill and a bottle of something to toast the day.
Kbal Chhay Prek Koh Waterfall
Not to be confused with the more famous Kbal Chhay near Sihanoukville, this local spot is a favorite for families and picnickers. The falls are smaller but the pools are perfect for a dip, especially after a hot hike. Go during the rainy season for the best flow, and pack your own snacks—there’s no tourist infrastructure, just nature and a few friendly faces.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.
Best Backpacking
.jpg)
Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.