Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary

What to See at Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary

Cardamom Highland Wilderness

Phnom Samkos itself rises to 1,717m, Cambodia’s second-highest peak, inside a sanctuary that also includes Phnom Khmaoch and Phnom Tumpor. The scale of intact forest here is the draw — this is one of the largest contiguous protected areas left in the Cardamoms, with correspondingly limited infrastructure.

Osoam Cardamom Community Center

Treks are arranged through Osoam, a community-based tourism initiative in Veal Veng district that trains local guides and channels visitor spending into conservation and village income. It’s also historically home to the Por (Pearic) ethnic minority, adding a cultural dimension to a visit.

Siamese Crocodile Conservation

A nearby conservation site protects one of the last wild populations of the critically endangered Siamese crocodile — a worthwhile pairing with an overnight trek for visitors interested in Cambodia’s conservation work beyond elephants and dolphins.

How to Get to Phnom Samkos Wildlife Sanctuary

Osoam village, the trekking base, is roughly 125km west of Pursat town along rough roads.

From Pursat town: Arrange transport in advance — the road is unpaved for much of the route and slow going, especially in the wet season
Book ahead: Contact the Osoam Cardamom Community Center before travelling, as guides and accommodation need to be arranged in advance

Best Time to Visit

Dry season (November–April), when the access roads and forest trails are at their most passable. Wet-season travel to Osoam can be genuinely difficult.

Practical Information

No standalone sanctuary entry fee; trek and guide costs are arranged through Osoam CCC, from around $40 per person for an overnight trip
Basic guesthouse rooms at Osoam run roughly $5–15 per night
This is remote, low-infrastructure travel — bring cash, basic medical supplies, and realistic expectations about comfort
Malaria precautions are worth discussing with a travel clinic before visiting

Nearby Attractions

Kompong Luong floating village on the Tonle Sap and the northern Cardamom access routes near Pursat town make for a varied add-on to a Phnom Samkos trip, given the province’s range of landscapes.