Cambodia's Best National Park

Kampot is a small city five hours’ drive from Phnom Penh. This somewhat dusty town has a laid back atmosphere and is quite quiet in comparison to Phnom Penh. There are few attraction with the city limits, but outside Kampot is one of Cambodia’s most famous tourist attractions: Bokor National Park. Located in the Elephant Mountains, this park is famous for the ruins of a colonial French resort of the top of the hill. This park is definitely worth a trip, although spending a day soaking up the atmosphere in Kampot would not be too bad, as well.

Most of the accommodations in Kampot are of the budget variety. Guesthouses run between 2-10 dollars a night and are mostly quite spartan. Street food is cheap and plentiful. There are several proper restaurants as well. Shopping in the town’s markets might lead to some nice discoveries: handcrafts and food.

Getting to Bokor National Park is best by motorcycle. Motorbikes are for rent at several guesthouses, though tourists staying for a long time in Cambodia often purchase their own bike, selling it before they leave. Non-motorcycle drivers can hire a motodop (motorcycle taxi driver). The advantage to this is that many of these drivers have at least some english. They can act as translators and guides if need be. While biking might be the most adventurous way to go, most guesthouses arrange trips, some by minibus, some by car. Renting your own car and driver is another option. The road to the top of the hill (where the ruined resort sits) is quite bumpy.

It is possible to get a bed at the park’s ranger station. If you decide to trek into the park, be aware that there are still some land mines in the area. It’s possible to hire one of the park’s rangers to guide on a trek to the far regions of the park. This is where most of the wildlife can be seen. Tigers have been sighted in the park, but are rare, as are elephants.

The Bokor Hill Station is at the top. This cool, often foggy location is quite a sight. Because of the altitude, it is also possible to find some fantastic views on the trip. There is a ruined church and some other buildings, all harkening back to the days of French rule in Cambodia.

The trip can be exhausting, two to three hours up and the same back, on bumpy, dusty roads. The views and atmosphere at the top of the park are amazing, though, so it is worth it. After all, chilled out Kampot is waiting on your return from Bokor. A day sitting by the river, nursing Angkor Beers will lead to a full recovery.