Best camping spots around Cambodia

2020 was the year all the countries in the world closed its borders. Even though outbound tourist numbers from Cambodia are lesser than inbound ones, young people and middle-class families often traveled to countries like Japan, Korea and many countries in Europe and Australia. Closing the borders means those who mean to travel abroad could not travel as planned so many of them changed their destinations and preferences. There are lots of people going out to the forest, do mountain hiking and camping. Of course, many new destinations are emerging in 2020. I created a list of best camping areas in Google Map here. 

My friends were chitchatting in front of her tent in the morning while sipping coffee and looking at the cloud

Can you imagine yourself going to one of these camping sites? Close your eyes and imagine sleeping by the sound of the nature - birds singing and forest swinging by the wind, at night you sit around the fire look into the beautiful sky with millions stars and milky way and shooting stars, then waking up to the cloud below your feet and sipping a hot coffee while looking into the quietness of the nature..  I have such wonderful experiences from all those camping trips, that's why I am sharing them here. Hopefully, they can bring you some joy during this pandemic time.

Sunrise when camping at Areng Valley

Me, looking at the luxurious floating glamping on Tatai river named 4 River Lodge

I am listing famous camping destinations here for you, including: 

• Basic/friendly camping sites: friendly and easy to access by everyone, families and kids, more facilities at sites
• Medium camping: not easy to access but young &dynamic people love to go - wild and authentic, new destinations away from the crowds
• Extreme camping: very difficult to access, not everyone can go only serious hikers and trekkers. The sites are deep in the jungle, but also more beautiful.
• Luxurious camping sites: luxurious and relaxing, more and more expensive for middle class people who want to go camping in a glamorous way.

Friendly camping destinations

1. Kirirom national park, Google Map is here. Footage of the camping ground is here. The place is very convenient for family camping, group camping, leisure staff retreat activities that do not require critical adventure. It is best for the weekend away from home and famous among locals and youth. It has facilities around the camping ground which are great for family and kids.
2. Phnom Kulen national Park, Google map is here. The mountain is not only religious but for adventurous activities such as camping, stargazing, trekking and hiking, cycling, rock climbing and mountain cliffing. 
3. Phnom Bokor National park, Google map is here. Avery nice spot since the mountain is plain. There are 5 stars hotel on it with the old casino and hotel left from 1960s. The mountain has spacious space which are very good as ground for hotels, parking, party, camping site, and many other sports. It has facilities around the camping ground which are great for family and kids.

Medium camping destination

1. Phnom Thbeng Meanchey natural park: Google map is here. Different from above sites, this is medium level. You have to claim up the mountain for about 400m before you can trek to camping areas. No much facilities found in the site. It is truly adventurous places to be. It is popular among youth. There are so many waterfalls up the mountains where you spend your days swimming up here.
2. Phnom Mreb Kangkeb at Areng, Google Map is here. Like Phnom Thbeng Meanchey, this one you have to hike the mountain for 13km. The best part of this was you could see river of cloud once you wake up in the morning after spending the night in the tent. I had a great camping experience from here.
3. Koh Han and Koh Samseb - Google map is here. It is located along the Mekong river, emerging destinations for those who want to experience living on the Mekong river.
   

Extreme camping destination

1. Phnom Tompour, Google map is here. They are located deep in the jungle so it is very difficult to get there. Most of the trekkers are experienced trekkers and adventurers. Not many people have been to the sites.
2. Phnom Aural, Google map is here. The tallest mountain in Cambodia for 1,813meter heights. Reaching here is a great achievement so many people would hike up there to accomplish their wish.
3. Khnong Phsar, Google map is here. Beautiful grassland on the top of the Cardamom mountains which connect three provinces together: Kompong Speu, Koh Kong and Pursat province. One of my wish to get up here!
4. Veal Thom in Virachey National Park, Google map is here. The north-end of Cambodia located very closed the dragon tailed that connects Cambodia to Laos and Vietnam. This is extremely adventurous spot. A small group of people get here and it is the best place to spot milky way. 

Luxurious camping

1. 4 River floating lodge, Google map is here. The lodge was in the past floating on the Tatai river. It was the first to give glamorous experiences to people. It is very famous among western tourists. 
2. Cardamom tented camp, Google map is here. Deep in the jungle, it is located nearby the river where you can swim endlessly. I love it so much.
3. The Beige resort, Google map is here. It is located in Siem Reap province and you get a chance to touch elephants that were sent from Angkor Wat. It is popular in 2020 among elites in Cambodia. 
4. Koh Andeth resort, Google Map is here. It is a combination of resort and camping along Tatai river which is floating on the river.
5. Shanta Mani Wild - Google Map is here, recommended to check it out. It is located in the heart of the Cardamom mountain and is probably the most luxurious and expensive camping experience ever. I am talking about 2,500$/night and booking requires 2-3 nights per booking. It is absolute high-end, private and exclusive. It feels like you own the mountain, waterfalls, forest and expensive treehouses in the heart of the jungle in the other world. You get a private Jeep to go patrol the forest with the expert rangers, you get kayaks and zipline for yourself too. You are served with bonfire for only yourself. Most of the clients are tycoons and elites. 

Besides these famous spots, there are actually camping places along the beaches but I do not recommend because it doesn't feel great. Most of the time, the sand gets in your way and you will be disturbed by rain.

 

Recommendations for those who want to go camping for the first time:

• First you have to collect all information about camping destinations. Which ones do you want to go? 
• Invite or talk to your friends to go camping together. It is not a good idea to go alone as you might share your tent with stranger or someone you don't really like!
• If you have own camping gears (tent, pillow, matt, torch, potable charger), go with it. If not, looking for company who have those for rentals or buy them if you are going to do them more often.
• Know what to bring for camping: clothes comfortable cold weather, for trekking or hiking and other things: socks/hat/bottle of water for trekking/hiking and food that you will use during camping.
• If you are confident that you can go yourself, you arrange a transport and contact the place (if there is a management company at the campsite)
• If you are not confident to go yourself, looking for the camping service providers that will bring your group to the campsite and arrange everything for you.
• My case is different because I am the organizer of the camping so the way I prepare it is different. I contact transport company and book into the site for food and other arrangement.

 

This is my 4th series of Camping in Cambodia article. If you would like to know more about camping, please take time to read them:

1. Glamping experience at Cardamom Tented Camp
2. Basic camping - food when camping
3. Friendly camping site - Kirorom National Park, here.
4. Best camping spots around Cambodia - here

Please enjoy some photos I shared about camping experiences

Price of all accommodation, Pipe house, Belle Tent and tentGrilled fish from the local lake, yummy!Dinner and lunch, cooking at site: fish from the local stream - yummy and sweet!Cooking rice at site and packed riceTent hired from local and from the companiesLocal guides and forest cook bringing up the gears. The visitors bring less How relaxing it was.. stress was cut from 100-1Early misty on the stream, and how relaxing it can be!My tent, my yoga and kayaking in the mistHappy time at Areng Valley!Activities at ArengVarious activities at ArengVarious activities at ArengTataiMy friends were chitchatting in front of her tent in the morning while sipping coffee and looking at the cloudCamping in Preah Vihear - 3hours from Siem ReapSunrise when camping at Areng Valley