Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
AROUND SIEM REAP
TOP OF CHAPTER
Prek Toal Bird
Sanctuary
Prek Toal is one of three biospheres on Tonlé Sap lake, and this stunning bird sanctuary
makes it the most worthwhile and straightforward of the three to visit. It is an ornitholo-
gist's fantasy, with a significant number of rare breeds gathered in one small area, including
the huge lesser and greater adjutant storks, the milky stork and the spot-billed pelican. Even
the uninitiated will be impressed, as these birds have a huge wingspan and build enormous
nests.
Visitors during the dry season (December to April) will find the concentration of birds
like something out of a Hitchcock film. It is also possible to visit from September, but the
concentrations may be lower. As water starts to dry up elsewhere, the birds congregate
here. Serious twitchers know that the best time to see birds is early morning or late after-
noon and this means an early start or an overnight at Prek Toal's environment office, where
there are basic beds for US$15/20 per single/double.
Several ecotourism companies arrange trips out to Prek Toal. Sam Veasna Center
OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP ( 063-963710; www.samveasna.org ) , in the Wat Bo area of Siem
Reap, offers trips to Prek Toal that contribute to the conservation of the area. Sam Veasna
uses ecotourism to provide an income for local communities in return for a ban on hunting
and cutting down the forest. The trips cost about US$100 per person for a group of five or
more, with additional charges for smaller groups. Osmose ( 012 832812;
www.osmosetonlesap.net ) also runs organised day trips to Prek Toal. The day trips cost US$95
per person with a minimum group of four people.
Tours include transport, entrance fees, guides, breakfast, lunch and water. Binoculars are
available on request, plus the Sam Veasna Center has spotting scopes. Both outfits can ar-
range overnight trips for serious enthusiasts. Some proceeds from the tours go towards edu-
cating children and villagers about the importance of the birds and the unique flooded-
forest environment, and the trip includes a visit to one of the local communities. Day trips
include a hotel pick-up around 6am and a return by nightfall.
 
Search WWH ::




Custom Search