Nature of Cambodia - national parks and reserves for active recreation

Cambodia is a country in Southeast Asia, most of which is endless, densely forested plains. Due to frequent rainy seasons, the country's soils are considered quite fertile. Cambodia is dominated by a tropical climate that makes the weather hot and humid. The dry season starts in November and lasts until April. It is followed by a period of downpours when the inhabitants of the country start harvesting. The hottest season in Cambodia is the time between April and June, and the coldest is December and January. The country's largest river - the Mekong - is characterized by a tranquil flow. Once a year the river sharply changes its direction and reverses. The famous Water Festival equally popular among tourists and Cambodians is held on the day of the flow change.

Cambodian plains cover the vast expanses of dense forests consisting of mulberry, ficus, dipterocarp, sandalwood, rosewood and mahogany trees. Bamboo groves and wild bananas are presently growing in those parts of the country where forests have been completely destroyed by fires. Part of the Cambodian forests is deciduous. The forested areas are inhabited by large animals: elephants, tigers, bulls, jaguars, buffaloes, bears, monkeys, wild cats. There also are some species of reptiles. Crocodiles and poisonous snakes are common in Cambodia. On the banks of rivers, you can see waterfowl, including pelicans and flamingos. In the northern regions of the country, there are deposits of valuable iron ore. However, the extraction of minerals is limited by the lack of technical means.

One of the most unusual places in Cambodia that are of great interest to travelers is Lake Tonle Sap, the world's largest freshwater lake. Right on the water, there are residential village houses. On the way to the lake, travelers can witness an amazingly beautiful phenomenon - a huge field of blossoming lotuses. Khmer people see the lotus flower as the symbol of life. The main river of the country - the Mekong - originates in the mountains of Tibet. Its waters support the household of more than one hundred thousand people. The river flows into the Lake Tonle Sap, resulting in a unique ecosystem. The Mekong is the longest river in Southeast Asia. It is inhabited by freshwater dolphins, which can be seen from February to May. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Cambodia is home to birds that are not found anywhere else in the world and some animal species considered to have been extinct until recently. The issue of protecting tigers is especially acute. The government makes every effort to protect animals from poachers, but the number of rare predators is declining year by year. For the moment, tigers are only found in the wild jungle, the last episode of their meeting with a man happened in 2007. Today, areas where these animals live are recognized as protected nature reserves. To date, there are only 5 thousand individuals In Cambodian reserves. The country has many national parks where other wild animals live.

The leader among the national parks of Cambodia is the magnificent Angkor. Here tourists can see the Angkor Wat temple complex erected in honor of the Hindu deity Vishnu. In the midst of stunning natural beauty, travelers meet cult buildings of the ancient Khmer Empire, majestic palaces, graceful staircases woven with tree roots, centuries-old temples, pyramids and towers, terraces and stone bridges. Another national park, Kirirom, lies about a hundred kilometers away from Phnom Penh. Here you can admire the picturesque Cambodian landscapes. Its forty-meter Chambok waterfall is of particular interest to travelers. Nearby are the royal palace ruins and two Buddhist temples.

The area of the Bokor National Park is covered with an evergreen rainforest presenting a variety of fauna species. The park's most famous tourist sites are a historic early 20th-century hotel, a Catholic church, and a Buddhist temple. Fans of ecotourism and all those wishing to see the virgin nature not affected by human activities should think about visiting Virachey National Park. This is the largest protected area in Cambodia where tourists can explore traditional Cambodian buildings. Several hiking trails pass through the reserve. Their duration is from two to eight days. The hiking program includes rafting, overnighting at the foot of the waterfall, getting to know the Khmer culture, and observing local animals - Asian bears, hornbills, and many others.