The south of Cambodia is incredibly diverse, from the dense and remote tropical mountains and national parks in the west to the picturesque islands in the south, sleepy coastal towns and the capital, Phnom Penh.
In the southwest, you’ll find the Cardamom Mountains, a verdant forested region home to an array of beautiful flora and fauna that is sadly under threat by loggers and poachers. A visit here will allow you to educate yourself on the risks to the ecosystem caused by human actions and how people and organisations are working tirelessly to conserve the area. There are both adventurous and relaxing options for a stay in the mountains.
Along the coastline, the sleepy coastal resort town of Kep is a town of contrasts, with its lovely resorts and dilapidated villas. However, it’s perhaps best known for its deliciously fresh seafood, which alone is worth visiting. Inland nearby is Kampot, famous for the piquant pepper grown locally. Here you can venture into the tranquil countryside and visit a plantation to learn how the pepper is grown, produced and eaten. Further along the coastline is Sihanoukville, which has seen rapid development over recent years and is sadly not what it once was, with many large hotels and resorts taking over the area. Off the coast here, the southern islands offer an incredible getaway, with a range of islands to suit every kind of traveller, from the larger ones with exciting nightlife to the private islands and their luxury resorts.
Cambodia's south has seen much more development in recent years as travellers have begun to catch on to the region’s beauty. Some of the country’s most luxurious and unique hotels are cropping up quite rapidly. You can stay on in opulent private island resort in the south, unique, historic properties in cities and towns, and tented safari-style camps out in the Cardamom Mountains.
Phnom Penh is also an important stop and an excellent place to educate yourself about Cambodia’s relatively recent dark history. Learn more by visiting museums and fields where, under Pol Pot’s regime, harrowing atrocities took place.
Discover more about how Experience Travel Group can provide you with a memorable, tailor-made holiday to this diverse and exciting part of Cambodia.
