Located on the pretty Kampot River, the town of Kampot is gaining popularity amongst travelers who crave theincluding visiting Elephant and Bokor Mountains, which serve as pleasing backdrops for the town as well as make up the Bokor National Park. Kampot is made up of older houses and structures that help evoke a relaxing and friendly vibe, as well as imbue the town with a laid-back charm.

One can find plenty of trekking, cycling, caving and kayaking in and around Kampot, with even more options for adventure as you head away from it. Also well known is Bokor National Park, which contains the ruins of buildings and collapsed architecture throughout the large park. The park is also home to elephants and tigers, as well as all manner of plant and wildlife.

The peaceful riverside town of Kampot was once famed for the French resort that lay nearby, which now stands in ruins. Today the town makes a great base from which to explore the nearby national park and hill station at Bokor and the beach resort of Kep is close by.

Bokor Mountain
Boasting views of Cambodia’s southern region and Vietnam, Bokor Mountain has long been a favourite destination among tourists searching for cool air. A vast new resort has been planned here for some time so visitors shouldn’t miss this last chance to enjoy the mountain’s tranquillity.

Bokor National Park
Featuring an old French hill station, Bokor National Park can be easily reached from Kampot. A bumpy road leads up to the hill station and the best way to get up here is by dirt bike or by taking a motorbike taxi by one of the locals who are well used to the roads. Ruins of a great casino, the Black Palace, a church and a hotel can also be seen.

Beaches
The nearby town of Kep was famed for its beach before the development of Sihanoukville in recent years. The place is growing as a tourist destination and visitors can enjoy splendid views of the Gulf and forested islands as well as long stretches of glorious sandy beaches.

Animals
While not among the best zoos in Asia, Kampot Zoo is well worth a visit if you have a few hours to spare in Kampot. Home to lions, tigers, monkeys and bears, the zoo is set against a backdrop of tropical fruit orchids and the animals tend to be well looked after. Monkey tours are popular and can be arranged from the top of Bokor Mountain.

Kampot plantations
Kampot is famed for both its salt and pepper plantations and condiments from Kep can be found throughout the country. Visitors can watch the process of salt formation before it is taken to the factory to have iodine added. Other plantations include the massive durian farms that can be found just outside of town.

Cycling
The best way to get around this pleasant town is to cycle as the scenery is picturesque and the traffic very minimal. The Riverside Road is a particularly pleasant place to cycle in the evening, when the air is cool and the river is basked in romantic light. Here you will not be alone for it is a favourite spot of many locals for strolling or motorbiking in the evenings.

Boat rides
Take a relaxing raft ride on the Tek Chou rapids or hire a boat for a sunset cruise on the Prek Chha River to watch the sun setting behind the Elephant Mountains. Private boats can be chartered for reasonable prices or you can just take a picnic and enjoy the river from the shore.

Islands
Koh Tunsay (Rabbit Island) can be easily accessed from nearby Kep. The island is a tropical paradise of white sandy beaches, clear fish-filled waters and caves as well as containing one or two basic but comfortable guest houses. Visitors can snorkel in the warm waters or simply relax on the sands beneath the shade of a coconut tree.

Music
Tourists are welcome to visit the Khmer Traditional Music School, whose students will perform for free. The school accepts orphaned and disabled children who are helped to learn to live with their disabilities. The school provides them with musical training to help them to earn a living in the future.

Caving
Several small caves are situated by the riverfront and most of them contain ancient Buddhist shrines. It is possible to explore inside some of the larger caves on foot but visitors should remember to take a torch as it can be tricky to manoeuvre inside. It is also possible to hire a guide to take you through the maze of caves.

Shrines and pagodas
A number of interesting shrines and pagodas are situated among the caves at nearby Kampong Trach. Once a hideout for the Khmer Rouge, these caves have been carved out of the limestone mountains. It is possible to hire a guide from either Kampong Trach or Kampot.

Dining
For its tiny stature, Kampot boasts an incredible array of eateries and it’s possible to find almost any cuisine from baked goods and pizzas to traditional Khmer cuisine. Restaurants and cafés can be found to fit every budget and the riverfront is a particularly lively spot, particularly in the evenings.

Trekking
There are a handful of enjoyable trekking opportunities around Kampot and guides can be arranged from town. Visitors can sleep in the jungle interior of Bokor Park beneath the stars or enjoy a leisurely stroll along the picturesque river. But most people come to the town simply to relax and enjoy the serenity of this charmingly old fashioned town.

Cham communities
There is a number of fascinating Cham communities in the area and it can be interesting to see how the atmospheres change from one village to the next. Most mosques in the area have been built in recent years and many of the villages are located close to the eastern port.

Architecture
Kampot is home to a surprising amount of fabulous colonial architecture, with the area around the Old Market being especially breathtaking. The backstreets around the Riverside Road house the prison buildings and the Govorner’s Mansion among other structures of interest and the Old Bridge, which is now a shadow of its former glory, is well worth a look.

Bokor Mountain Lodge
Beginning life as part of the venerable FCC Group, the Bokor Mountain Lodge is now under local ownership and offers a great opportunity to enjoy the Kampot area in an authentic local style.



The beautiful old building, extensively renovated, resides on the banks of the Pek Kampong River and is set amidst evocative crumbling colonial architecture imbued with French influences. It’s easy to lose yourself in the ambiance of local Kampot, whose denizens are both friendly and sociable. Rooms with and without river views are available, and though the place will never be confused with Raffles, it will most certainly evoke a charm that will relax and surprise you.