Located 18 km from Sihanoukville, Ream National Park is a lush green ecosystem encompassing 15,000 hectares of terrestrial and 6,000 hectares of marine habitats. It offers secluded beaches, mangroves forests, tropical jungles and is also home to a number of rare birds and animals which is indeed a treat for nature lovers.
What to do?
Hikes to Meditation Mountain and Keng Kong waterfall are popular trips at Ream National Park. Another excellent option is a boat trip down the mangrove-lined Prek Toeuk Sap River, where you can access to four islands: Koh Thmei, Koh Kchang, Koh Ses, and Koh Sam Pouch. Each offers something different: beaches, snorkeling, fishing villages. Dugongs, fresh-water dolphins and spot-billed pelicans are just some of the wildlife that can be found in the estuary.
Afterward, most people will stop at Thomor Thom Beach located in a small bay on the mainland. The water here is shallow, the floor sandy, and the land rises up into rolling green hills. There is another station built on posts, far out into the sandy bay, and the rangers will boil noodles and provide cups of ice and cans of pop. There are rare dolphins here between November and March, and visitors can spend a night in the ranger station to see them playing in the waters in the mornings or evenings.
The Ream National Park in Sihanoukville is also home to a number of rare birds and animals which is indeed a treat for the nature lovers. It offers safari tours of the smaller mammals and birds and waterfalls. A major attraction during the months of December, January and February are the magnificent fresh water white dolphins. Wat Ream, a buddhist temple, is also worth a trip.
When to go?
The climate is tropical with a monsoon season from June to October. Temperatures remain fairly constant. It is possible to travel year round.
Travel tips
Park facilities are not fully developed so you should arrange a guided tour instead of independent traveling. There's little food or drinking water available in the park. Ensure you have enough of your own if planning a hike or an overnight trip. Basic accommodation is available at Ream National Park.