Kirirom National Park

Ranked #1,841 in Travel & Places, #65,748 overall

Kirirom: The Mountain of Joy

Kirirom or Mountain of Joy is Cambodia's first officially designated national park and what an exciting start to protecting the countries natural history. Located 112 km from Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh, in the province of Kampong Speu, it takes in over 35,000 hectares of the Elephant Mountains. Today, development is starting to improve tourist infrastructure and make the place a meeting and conference destination.

On weekends, Kirirom has become a really upbeat picnic destination for many Cambodians as they begin to rediscover their country. Best of all at 2,215 ft. above sea level, it is cooler than the city or even the neighboring farm lands so it is a treat for everyone. As you poke about, you'll find the ruins of the Royal summer palace, destroyed during the Khmer Rouge, but still giving a sense of the influence they have on the country.

Images of Kirirom

Great waterfalls

Kirirom Visit

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Bring this camera to Kirirom

Nature scenes will be your focus

A camera that not only takes pictures but also videos that are clear. This camera has wide angle lens which is good for taking nature scenes. In Kirirom, you have scenic views from on top that are worth remembering and also water falls and winding pathways through the forest.

Canon PowerShot SX130IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 12x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom with 3.0-Inch LCD

Amazon Price: $144.00 (as of 06/02/2012)Buy Now

This camera is worth bringing for a trip to the park as it has a wide angle lens and will definitely take nature scenes. With a good camera, you will get good pictures that you will enjoy yourself and will be happy to share with your friends.

Kirirom's Trails and Waterfalls

Take the traditional ox-carts

Happy Mountain makes you want to take a walk in its many trails and footpaths through the pine forests. Some of these paths are quite steep so you have to be fit. You can also take the traditional ox-cart rides which is an amazing antidote to rushing about in Phnom Penh.

Kirirom has several small lakes and waterfalls where you can cool yourself off and even swim a bit, making friends with the local kids. If you are really lucky you might spot some of the park inhabitants such as asian elephant, deer, gaur, banteng, leopard, spotted linsang, pileated gibbon and tiger. Most of these are still alive because they are too smart to come anywhere near people, but slowly the park is building a less threatening environment.

Videos on Kirirom

Watch these

You will surely want to go when you see these videos. Place yourself under the water falls and soak yourself in fresh water. Itis very refresing especially during the hot months.
Today We Are On The Road Kirirom National Park In Cambodia
by blkphoto | video info

2 ratings | 1,958 views
curated content from YouTube

Kirirom Hiking

Meet Mr. Black Bear

For the more adventurous, consider hooking up with a ranger who will guide you through a two-hour hike up to Phnom Dat Chivit (End of the World Mountain) where an abrupt cliff-face offers an unbroken view of the Elephant Mountains and Cardamom Mountains to the west. It is often possible to see wildlife on this trail, including black bears scavenging the pine trees for honey.

Kirirom is part of Cambodia's southwestern cluster of protected areas which include Phnom Bokor, Preah Sihanouk and Kep national Park. It is on the way to the beaches of Sihanoukville from Phnom Penh or from Thailand through the Koh Kong border. If your idea of a great trek is the great outdoors there is a real treat waiting throughout this area.

What you will need for these hikes

Make sure you have these walking shoes

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Eco Tourism Program in Kirirom

Community Based Eco-Tourism

There is a community based eco-tourism program set just beyond the park boundaries. They can arrange for a guide or homestays for you or you can sample traditional Khmer food in their small restaurantsThere are two I have found but I have not yet had a chance to stay as we went there with Cambodian friends. But I've heard great things and its one of the best ways to really see/taste/smell a culture.



Chambok Community-based Ecotourism (012 355272; ccben_cam@yahoo.com;
Mlup Baitong (023-214409; mlup@online.com.kh), a percentage of the proceeds is pumped back into the local community.

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More about eco-tourism in Cambodia

Read some of the developments

Kirirom is just one place in Cambodia where there are ecotourism initatives. There are other places in Cambodia where people have also started eco-tourism programs.
Soulful tunes from the canopy
Cambodia's first gibbon eco-tourism venture has been established. A ranger and research outpost in Veun Sai-Siem Pang Conservation Area, which adjoins Virachey National Park in Ratanakkiri province, will be base camp for adventurous travellers hoping ...
Floating Lodge puts you on the beautiful waters of the Cambodian jungle
However, with the recent introduction of roads, lodging and an emphasis on ecotourism, the Koh Kong region has officially arrived on the travel scene. Four Rivers stretches outward in both directions along a bend in the river.
Cambodia's Most Dangerous Job?
In Cambodia, companies and landowners can choose whether or not to clear areas used for commercial purposes such as agriculture, mining or ecotourism. With improved access to previously difficult to reach areas comes increased economic interest in ...
Northeast new focus for tourism
The Ministry of Tourism will shift its focus to ecotourism development in the Kingdom's northeast after efforts to promote travel to Cambodia's coastline proved successful. Whereas Tourism Minister Thong Kong had once asked officials to focus on ...

Bring a video camera

Add to the documentation on Kirirom

Kodak PlaySport (Zx5) HD Waterproof Pocket Video Camera - Red (2nd Generation) NEWEST MODEL

Kodak PlaySport (Zx5) HD Waterproof Pocket Video Camera - Red (2nd Generation) NEWEST MODEL

If you're going to live with no limits, you need a more...0 points

Kodak PlayFull Waterproof Video Camera (Black) [with 4GB SD card]

Kodak PlayFull Waterproof Video Camera (Black) [with 4GB SD card]

Product Description With the Kodak PlayFull Waterproof more...0 points

Watch Camera - 720p HD Video Recording Capability. Stylish Chrome Finishing. 4gb Internal Memory. Your Perfect Spy Watch. Video Recordings Only. With genuine SPHERE logo imprint.

Watch Camera - 720p HD Video Recording Capability. Stylish Chrome Finishing. 4gb Internal Memory. Your Perfect Spy Watch. Video Recordings Only. With genuine SPHERE logo imprint.

Sphere Techs brings you the perfect watch camera y more...0 points

Canon VIXIA HF R20 Full HD Camcorder with 8GB Internal Flash Memory (Black)

Canon VIXIA HF R20 Full HD Camcorder with 8GB Internal Flash Memory (Black)

Canon VIXIA HF R20 Full HD Digital Camcorder - 3-I more...0 points

Canon VIXIA HF R200 Full HD Camcorder with Dual SDXC Card Slots

Canon VIXIA HF R200 Full HD Camcorder with Dual SDXC Card Slots

The VIXIA HF R200 allows you to record crisp high more...0 points

Toshiba Camileo H30 Full HD Camcorder - Silver/Black

Toshiba Camileo H30 Full HD Camcorder - Silver/Black

With the Camileo H30 you can enjoy state-of-the-ar more...0 points

Panasonic HDC-TM80K HD Twin Memory Camcorder (Black)

Panasonic HDC-TM80K HD Twin Memory Camcorder (Black)

Panasonic HDC-TM80 2.7-Inch Touch LCD Full HD Digi more...0 points

Toshiba Camileo X100 Full-HD Camcorder - Silver/Black

Toshiba Camileo X100 Full-HD Camcorder - Silver/Black

With the Camileo X100 you can enjoy state-of-the-a more...0 points

Canon VIXIA HF M40 Full HD Camcorder with HD CMOS Pro and 16GB Internal Flash Memory

Canon VIXIA HF M40 Full HD Camcorder with HD CMOS Pro and 16GB Internal Flash Memory

Canon VIXIA HF M40 Full HD Digital Camcorder 3-Inc more...0 points

Samsung HMX-Q10 HD Camcorder Ultra Compact with 10x Optical Zoom (Black)

Samsung HMX-Q10 HD Camcorder Ultra Compact with 10x Optical Zoom (Black)

Ultra compact full HD cam with Extreme Easiness0 points

Canon VIXIA HF R21 Full HD Camcorder with 32GB Internal Flash Memory

Canon VIXIA HF R21 Full HD Camcorder with 32GB Internal Flash Memory

The VIXIA HF R21 allows you to record up to 12 hou more...0 points

Panasonic HDC-TM41H HD Camcorder with 16GB Internal Flash Memory

Panasonic HDC-TM41H HD Camcorder with 16GB Internal Flash Memory

Panasonic HDC-TM41 Digital Camcorder - 2.7" L more...0 points

Samsung HMX-H300 Full HD Camcorder with 30x Zoom (Black)

Samsung HMX-H300 Full HD Camcorder with 30x Zoom (Black)

The 24mm wide angle lens offers extraordinarily la more...0 points

Canon VIXIA HF M41 Full HD Camcorder with HD CMOS Pro and 32GB Internal Flash Memory

Canon VIXIA HF M41 Full HD Camcorder with HD CMOS Pro and 32GB Internal Flash Memory

Canon VIXIA HF M41 Full HD Digital Camcorder - 3-I more...0 points

Panasonic HDC-SD80K HD SD Card Camcorder (Black)

Panasonic HDC-SD80K HD SD Card Camcorder (Black)

Panasonic HDC-SD80 2.7-Inch Wide LCD Full HD Camco more...0 points

Canon VIXIA HF M400 Full HD Camcorder with HD CMOS Pro and Dual SDXC Card Slots

Canon VIXIA HF M400 Full HD Camcorder with HD CMOS Pro and Dual SDXC Card Slots

Canon VIXIA HF M400 Full HD Digital Camcorder - 3- more...0 points

Canon VIXIA HF G10 Full HD Camcorder with HD CMOS Pro and 32GB Internal Flash Memory

Canon VIXIA HF G10 Full HD Camcorder with HD CMOS Pro and 32GB Internal Flash Memory

Canon VIXIA HF G10 Full HD Digital Camcorder with more...0 points

Best time to visit Kirirom National Park

Just after the rainy season

Kirirom is not the happiest of mountains during rainy season (May to October ) so the best time is just after that while Cambodia is still cool. From November on, you will be rewarded with gushing water falls and the great greenness of the hills.

The park facilities are constantly improving and there are several resorts in the area. You are better off to have your own transport as it is quite isolated from the public routes. There are tour operators thin Phnom Penh at will be happy to arrange trips for you based on your own requirements. Of course if you are 20 and ready for adventure, go for it. Local buses are an experience of a lifetime and you really will meet some of the world's friendliest people.

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Adventure tours

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The Visitor's Center at Kirirom National Park

Attractive Displays

The visitors center in the park is small but full of interesting things. The manager does her best to show off what the park offers.

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Parks dot our world and more than ever, there is a realization of its impact on us as human beings and on our world in general.
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Parks as Part of our Lives

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More things for your travel to Kirirom

The sun could be strong

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Please leave your comments

  • AnthonyAltorenna Apr 14, 2012 @ 9:16 pm | delete
    Beautiful! This looks like an awesome eco-tourism destination where people and nature can co-exist.
  • aesta1 Apr 15, 2012 @ 5:54 am | delete
    Yes, it is. The walk offers one not from Asia many of nature's interesting species.
  • indiavacationplans Jan 19, 2012 @ 5:56 am | delete
    Great guide for family vacations. Thanks for sharing this with us.
  • aesta1 Apr 15, 2012 @ 5:54 am | delete
    A wholesome family experience.
  • thailand_ecotourism Sep 21, 2011 @ 9:11 am | delete
    very nice... i will try to visit the park soon
  • aesta1 Sep 21, 2011 @ 7:26 pm | delete
    Hope so...it is not far from you.
  • nort43 Mar 25, 2011 @ 4:59 am | delete
    What a great lens. I can almost feel the place. You never run out of new expweriencess if your eyes and ears are open. Well done.
  • aesta1 Jan 1, 2012 @ 5:47 am | delete
    Open your eyes and ears...right.
  • ---Chazz Mar 11, 2011 @ 11:15 am | delete
    What a beautiful spot. Just added it to my bucket list. Hope to be able to visit some day.
  • aesta1 Jan 1, 2012 @ 5:48 am | delete
    Good. Come and visit.
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For your trip to Kirirom

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Kirirom is a national park in Cambodia

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