The wettest, wildest corner of Cambodia — the Cardamom Mountains, a vast mangrove sanctuary, and eco-lodges on the Tatai river.
Koh Kong province is where the Cardamom Mountains meet the sea, and it holds some of mainland Southeast Asia’s last large tracts of intact rainforest.
The town itself is a border crossing to Thailand and functional rather than charming. The reason to come is what surrounds it: the Tatai river, with a handful of low-impact lodges reachable only by boat, and Peam Krasop mangrove sanctuary with its long boardwalk out through the trees.
Wildlife-watching and community-run conservation trips into the Cardamoms are increasingly well organised, and this is one of the few places in the country where a serious multi-day jungle trip is straightforward to arrange.
The river lodges are boat-access only. Confirm your transfer time when booking, and expect no road noise, no Wi-Fi, and no regrets.
November to March. Koh Kong is the rainiest province in the country — the wet season here is genuinely wet.
5–6 hours by bus from Phnom Penh, 3–4 from Sihanoukville. The Cham Yeam border crossing to Trat, Thailand is 10 km from town.
Swimmable in the dry season, thunderous in the wet. Lodges line the river below it.
A long boardwalk through mangrove forest to a viewing tower.
Community-based trekking, wildlife monitoring trips and river kayaking.
Seven beaches on the western side; a full-day boat trip from town.