Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary, Siem Reap Overview

Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary is located at Prek Toal near Tonle Sap, the largest lake in South East Asia. Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary is one of the three biosphere areas reserved for bird watching. You can opt for a guided boat trip, which will take you through the rich forests secluded amidst Tonle Sao.

Prek Toal consists of many bird towers, from where you can watch rare pelicans, eagles, storks, vultures and ibis. Being the source of livelihood and food for more than 90% of Cambodia, this lake along with its fertile plain is home to hundreds of rare migratory birds.

How to reach Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary

It takes about two hours to reach Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary by boat from Chong Kneas dock. From Siem Reap, you need about 2 hours to arrive at this dock via a rented car or a tuk-tuk. The ride until the dock costs about 50 USD per person. From the pier, a boat ride of about 30 minutes takes you to the park. If you are arriving from the remote villages like Kampong Khleang, it might take about an hour to reach the bird sanctuary.

Best time to visit Prek Toal Bird Park

The best time to explore is the dry season between December to May when flocks of birds migrate. You can also stay overnight at the park to take up the sunrise and sunset guided tours to get splendid views of the lake and birds. The wet season receives heavy rainfall almost every day which results in flooding of the surrounding areas including the mangrove forests. During this time, the bird park is closed. In summer there would be fewer birds due to the hot weather as well as for being a non-migration season for many species of birds.

Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary Tips

Like the other tours to areas in the Tonle Sap, there are many scams targeted especially at foreign tourists. Hence book the tours only through trusted operators. The best options would be to check the tours that your hotels offer. Check the reviews carefully before opting for a trip. It's best to book Prek Toal tour once you are in Siem Reap.

It's best to combine a visit to the bird park along with a tour to one of the settlement villages. You can plan a trip to Prek Toal just before sunset or early in the morning so that you could see some best views of Tonle Sap and its beautiful biosphere.

Wear light clothes and sunscreen during the day trips as the weather can get hot even during the high season. Carry water and avoid bringing heavy luggage as there aren't any facilities like locker rooms and it's not advisable to carry them on boat trips.