Tmatboey is a quiet, rural village which the vast majority of visitors to the kingdom will never see. It is located in the Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary in the wild Northern Plains of Cambodia, accessible from Siem Reap. This peaceful village is the site of a unique community ecotourism project established by the Ministry of Environment and the Wildlife Conservation Society and is widely regarded as one of the finest birding sites in Southeast Asia, particularly for seeing the elusive Giant Ibis, the National bird of Cambodia.
Birders stay in the simple but comfortable Tmatboey Eco Lodge, run by the local community. The local people are paid to protect the nests of two Critically Endangered birds – Giant and White-shouldered Ibis. Specialist birding guides have a 100% record of finding these species for visiting birders! Other species which can be seen in this dry forest environment are the Indian Spotted Eagle, White-rumped Pygmy Falcon, Collared Falconet, Rufous-winged Buzzard, Indochinese Bushlark, Brown Prinia, Neglected Nuthatch and White-browed Fantail.
Typically itineraries range from a 2 day 1 night experience to more immersive and exploratory 4 – 5 day trips for the most dedicated birders. Tmatboey can be combined with other superb birding sites in Cambodia, including the famed Prek Toal flooded forest near Siem Reap on the great Tonle Sap Lake.
