South Coast - Cambodia - page 372

eagle: look for them soaring over Prek Toeuk Sap Estuary . Endangered birds that feed on the
mudflats include the lesser adjutant, milky stork and painted stork.
Despite its protected status, Ream is gravely endangered by planned tourist develop-
ment, especially along its coastline. By visiting, you can demonstrate that the park, in its
natural state, is not only priceless to humanity but also a valuable economic resource for
Sihanoukville. Major roads have been bulldozed through the heart of the park to access
the beaches and a main road will eventually connect NH4 with Otres Beach directly via
this route.
Sights & Activities
Jungle walks led by rangers are easy to arrange (hiking unaccompanied is not allowed) at
the park headquarters ( 012 875096, 016 767686; 7am-5pm) , opposite the airport entrance.
Two-hour walks in the forest behind the headquarters cost US$6 per person. Four- to six-
hour treks going further into the park's mountainous interior cost US$10 per person. It's
best (but not obligatory) to phone ahead. The income generated goes to help protect the
park.
More popular are ranger-led boat trips through the mangrove channels of the Prek Toeuk
Sap Estuary. These leave from the Prek Toeuk Sap ranger station, which is located about
3km east of the park HQ next to a major bridge on NH4 - the rangers at HQ will help you
get there and arrange for a boat to be waiting for you. From the Prek Toeuk Sap station it's
a one-hour boat ride (US$35 return for one to three persons) to the fishing village of Ta
Ben . Full-day trips (US$50 per group) continue another hour east to the village of
Andoung Toeuk, where a path leads 25 minutes through the jungle to Koh Sampoach Beach ,
the park's finest, which is also nicknamed the Chinese beach as Chinese developers have
the concession for this area.
To get to some deserted beaches on your own, drive south from the park HQ and the air-
port for about 9km along a sealed road until you get to Ream Naval Base. Jog left around
the base and follow the dirt roads to a series of long white beaches lined with casuarina
trees. Road access to Koh Sampoach Beach is possible by taking an immediate left-hand
turn off the Ream National Park road when leaving NH4. If you pass the airport entrance,
you've gone too far. Follow this major road for about 12km and you will eventually arrive
at a small beachside restaurant on Koh Sampoach.