Cambodia

Since 1999, the NGO Osmose has been running a project of the same name, aimed at developing and protecting the ecosystem around Tonlé Sap Lake, particularly in the Prek Toal area, situated between Siem Reap and Battambang. This submerged forest is home to floating villages, where environmental education has been a cornerstone of the project. Additionally, dozens of bird species native to Southeast Asia are under threat and need protection. The organization promotes eco-tourism, offering travelers an immersive experience in this picturesque lake and forest setting, providing a deeper understanding of the importance of sustainable development in the region.

A range of ecotourism tours

Osmose offers four eco-tourism circuits for exploring Prek Toal. Two of these are two-day, one-night experiences that introduce visitors to the floating villages and/or the aquatic wildlife of Tonlé Sap, while the other two are day tours that cover the highlights in a single day.

The first two tours allow you to spend the night with local families… on the water! Departing from your hotel in the early afternoon, you’ll head to one of the floating villages in Prek Toal. With your guide, you’ll embark on a 90-minute boat ride to learn about Osmose’s work in hydrology, the ecosystem, and the flora and fauna of the flooded forests of the lake. Afterward, you’ll return to the village where your hosts will teach you the fundamentals of traditional Khmer cuisine, followed by dinner as you watch a beautiful sunset over the lake. The second day of these tours offers two distinct options: you can either focus on the local villagers’ way of life, specifically their work with water hyacinth weaving within the Saray cooperative, or you can navigate through the flooded forest and climb up a tree platform to observe, with the help of an ornithologist, the bird species of Prek Toal. The bird-watching activity is more limited and only available from September to March, during the dry season.

Alternatively, you can choose a day-long experience with the other two tours (3 and 4). Departing at 6:00 AM to make the most of your time, these tours also introduce you to the Prek Toal nature reserve, home to numerous Southeast Asian bird species. These tours allow you to focus more on the daily lives of the floating village residents, with insights into their other activities, such as crocodile farming, fish farming, floating schools, and floating gardens, among others.