In April 2019 I travelled with Chris Biles to Cambodia and Laos. We arrived at the end of the dry season when regional temperatures tend to be at their highest. Daytime temperatures hovered around the high 30s, with 42.6 Celsius recorded on one afternoon in north west Cambodia. Laos was cooler, still with high levels of humidity, and accompanied by heavy rain on the last two days. In Cambodia we utilised the services of the Sam Veasna Centre specialist birding and wildlife tours (but primarily birding!) to help with guiding and logistics.
However, we began our trip independently, in Siem Reap, gateway to Angkor Wat (which environs offers good wildlife habitat). We then met our Sam Veasna guide – Mr Ladong – who knew his birds well and responded with characteristic good grace regarding my entreaties to focus also on the mammals. Beginning with a couple of day trips from Siem Reap, spent around Tonle Sap, we then headed to the northern plains, prior to driving south and to Kampi, in central Cambodia, home of Irrawaddy Dolphins. From there we travelled east to Seima Protected Forest, Mondulkiri province, adjoining Vietnam, with its largely intact ecosystem and high population of primates. We saw a total of 221 species of birds in Cambodia, including (sadly) two endangered and five critically endangered species and 15 species of mammal….
To read the full report, please click here.