Cambodia is covered by deciduous dipterocarp forests that once also spread across much of Indochina, which was formerly home to the greatest aggregation of large mammals and water birds that have existed beyond the savannas of Africa. These forests have largely disappeared from Thailand and Vietnam; currently, the northern and eastern Plains of Cambodia form the largest remaining contiguous block of this unique and critically important habitat. On this tour, we will visit several sites in Cambodia, and we will have a lot of chances to see both of the rarest ibises (White-shouldered and Giant), as well as many endangered waterbird species such as the Bengal Florican, Greater Adjutant, Milky Stork, Black-necked Stork, and Sarus Crane.

Itinerary:

• Day 1 (B, L, D): Full day for Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom.

Spend the day exploring Angkor Wat, a must-visit historical site recognized as the largest Hindu-turned-Buddhist temple complex and religious monument in the world.

Overnight in Siem Reap (1 night)

• Day 2 (B, L, D): Searching for Bengal Florican

Begin the field tour with an early-morning excursion to the floodplain grasslands surrounding Tonle Sap Lake, targeting the critically endangered Bengal Florican. These expansive grasslands host significant populations of wintering migrants, including Eastern Marsh and Pied Harriers, alongside wetland species like Sarus Crane, Lesser Adjutant, and Painted Stork.

In the mid-morning, travel north into remote Preah Vihear province, a haven for some of Southeast Asia's rarest wildlife, characterized by open dry savanna and deciduous riverine forest. Arrive at the guesthouse in the mid-afternoon with time for an initial late-afternoon birding session.

Overnight at Tmatboey Ecolodge (2 nights).

• Day 3 (B, L, D): Birding in Tmatboey

Spend two full days exploring the open dipterocarp forests around Tmatboey, focusing on guided walks to forest waterholes (trapeangs) to locate two of the world's most critically endangered targets: Giant Ibis and White-shouldered Ibis. Beyond the ibises, the region supports up to 16 woodpecker species, highlighted by Black-headed, Great Slaty, and White-bellied Woodpeckers alongside dry-forest specialties such as White-rumped Falcon, Rufous-winged Buzzard, Burmese Shrike, Indochinese Bushlark, Indochinese Cuckooshrike, and Yellow-footed Green-Pigeon. The forest is also rich in parakeets (Blossom-headed, Red-breasted, and Alexandrine), prinias including the localized Brown Prinia, and active wintering feeding flocks, while night-birding offers strong chances for Spotted and Brown Wood-Owls, Collared and Oriental Scops-Owls, Brown Fish-Owl, Spotted Owlet, and both Savanna and Large-tailed Nightjars.

• Day 4 (B, L, D): Half-day birding - Transfer to Sieam Reap

Following a final morning of targeted birding to search for any remaining species, transfer back to Siem Reap in the afternoon.

Overnight in Siem Reap (2 nights)

• Day 5 (B, L, D): Full-day birding in Tonle Sap and Peak Toal Sanctuary

Depart early in the morning for a full day of boat-based birding across Tonle Sap, focusing on the renowned Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve core area. The sanctuary supports major breeding colonies of endangered waterbirds, with primary targets including Greater Adjutant, Milky Stork, Spot-billed Pelican, Lesser Adjutant, and Oriental Darter. Return to Krong Siem Reap in the late afternoon.

• Day 6 (B, L): Full-day birding in Ang Trapeang Thmor

After breakfast, depart from Siem Reap for a full-day excursion to Arng Trapeang Thmor, a unique nature reserve centred around a Khmer Rouge-era reservoir. The surrounding mosaic of wetlands, grasslands, dipterocarp forest, and rice paddies serves as a crucial wintering site for the endangered Sarus Crane between February and March. Additional birding highlights include breeding colonies of Spot-billed Pelican and Painted Stork, as well as significant aggregations of waterfowl such as Spot-billed Duck, Cotton Pygmy-Goose, Garganey, Black-backed Swamphen, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, and Bronze-winged Jacana. Return to Siem Reap in the late afternoon for the tour's conclusion.

Tour price: Contact

• Includes: Experienced bird guide and local guides, transportation by private car, accommodation (shared twin room), daily meals and drinking water, local transfer (e.g., boat, jeep, truck), entrance fees. Also providebirding a spotting scope, a bird ID manual.
• Excluded: International and domestic airfare, personal expenses (e.g. beverages, laundry) and tipping for driver and guide (optional but appreciated).

Relevant tours:

• Myanmar Birding Tour
• West Papua - Bird of Paradise Tour
• Baihualing Bird photography, China