Prek Toal is a floating village and a bird sanctuary at the north-western corner of Tonle Sap Lake, on the Battambang side. From December to February its flooded forest holds the largest colonies of waterbirds in Southeast Asia: pelicans, storks, adjutants and ibis in their thousands. Almost nobody goes, because it is a full day and it takes someone who knows the lake. We have a representative in the village.
- Where
- North-west shore, Battambang province
- Getting there
- About 1.5 h by road, then boat
- Best months
- December – February
- Day length
- 9–10 hours door to door
- Sanctuary
- Entrance and reserve boat, per person
- Our day
- Private only, from $135
What Prek Toal is
Two things in one place. The village is a floating one: houses, a school, shops and a pagoda on boats and pontoons that move with the water, home to fishing families who have lived this way for generations. The sanctuary is the flooded forest beyond it, a core zone of the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve where the birds nest when the water is high. Rangers from the community guard the colonies and take visitors in by small boat.
What the day looks like
An early pickup in Siem Reap, about an hour and a half by car to the landing on the west shore, then a boat across open water to the village. In the village you transfer to a smaller boat with a ranger and go slowly into the reserve, stopping under the colonies. Lunch is in the village. The return crossing is in the afternoon light, and you are back in Siem Reap by evening. In the builder you can add a canoe through the floating village, lunch, and whether you want to be on the water for sunset.
What it costs
A Prek Toal day is private only, and the price depends on how many of you there are and whether you go into the sanctuary. The car and driver are included; the sanctuary entrance and reserve boat are charged per person and go to the community rangers. Build the day below and the price updates as you choose.
Prices on this page are placeholders until the rules sheet is filled in.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Prek Toal?
December to February, when the water is still high enough to reach the colonies by boat and the birds are nesting in the thousands. From March the water drops and the big colonies disperse; the floating village is still worth the trip.
How long does a Prek Toal day take?
A full day from Siem Reap: about 1.5 hours by road to the landing on the west shore, a boat across the lake to the floating village, a smaller boat into the reserve, and the same back. Expect 9 to 10 hours door to door.
What birds will I see?
In season, spot-billed pelicans, painted storks, lesser and greater adjutants, milky storks, oriental darters and several ibis species, nesting in the flooded forest in colonies you can hear before you see.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes for children who are happy on boats for long stretches. The reserve visit is slow and quiet; bring binoculars and snacks.