🐦 Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary & Floating Village Tour
The Largest Waterbird Colony in Southeast Asia
Nestled on the northwestern edge of the Tonle Sap Great Lake, the Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary is a spectacular Ramsar site and part of Cambodia’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This unique ecosystem, dominated by seasonally flooded freshwater swamp forest, hosts thousands of rare and endangered birds during the dry season, making it one of the premier birdwatching destinations in Southeast Asia.
🌿 What You’ll Experience:
- 🚤 Scenic boat ride across the vast Tonle Sap Lake and into the heart of the protected flooded forest
- 🐦 Guided birdwatching tour inside the sanctuary – a haven for storks, pelicans, ibis, and many more
- 🏘️ Visit to the authentic floating village of Prek Toal, where everyday life flows with the water
- 🍽️ Traditional Cambodian lunch served at the floating Saray Restaurant, run by the local community
- 🎓 Learn about the area’s biodiversity, conservation initiatives, and community-based ecotourism
This immersive day trip offers not only world-class birding, but also a deep connection to Cambodia’s remarkable lake culture and conservation efforts.
🐦 Key Bird Species at Prek Toal Sanctuary
🌍 Globally Threatened & Iconic Species
- Greater Adjutant (Leptoptilos dubius) – Critically endangered, one of the rarest storks on Earth
- Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus)
- Milky Stork (Mycteria cinerea) – Endangered
- Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala)
- Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) – Near threatened
- Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster) – Near threatened
- Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus)
- Asian Openbill (Anastomus oscitans)
🐣 Common & Wetland Birds
- Little Cormorant (Microcarbo niger)
- Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
- Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
- Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)
- Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
- Intermediate Egret (Ardea intermedia)
- Great Egret (Ardea alba)
- Chines Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii)
🎶 Smaller Wetland and Woodland Birds
- Black-capped Kingfisher (Halcyon pileata)
- Stork-billed Kingfisher (Pelargopsis capensis)
- White-breasted Waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus)
- Pheasant-tailed Jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus)
- Watercock (Gallicrex cinerea)
- Yellow Bittern, Cinnamon Bittern, Black Bittern ……..and many other fascinating forest species! This rich diversity makes Prek Toal Waterbird Sanctuary and the surrounding temples a fantastic destination for both casual birders and serious listers.
- “See newly found bird species at the Prek Toal Waterbird Sanctuary: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1110389
Prek Toal Floating Village and Waterbird Sanctuary
Option#2: Afternoon Birding Tour
Looking for a relaxed afternoon activity? Join our half-day birding tour to spot dozens of bird species just outside Siem Reap!
🕒 2:30 PM – Pick-up from your hotel by a Bird Guide English-speaking bird guide and tuk-tuk or driver
🛺 Short transfer to the scenic Phnom Krom marshland
🌾 2:50 PM – Arrive and begin your birding walk on foot
As the heat of the day fades, birds become more active—perfect conditions for spotting 50+ species and capturing beautiful sunset shots over the wetlands.
🔙 5:00 PM – Return to the tuk-tuk and ride back to the city
🏨 5:30 PM – Drop-off at your hotel in Siem Reap
