Okoki is located in the remote Chhep Wildlife Sanctuary near the Laos border, in Preah Vihear Province. Here pools of mixed evergreen forest, follow a watercourse which provides habitat for the globally endangered White-winged Duck. The local villagers are the main stakeholders in bird-conservation, assisting our team with setting up camp, cooking and local guiding.
Okoki BirdsTarget bird species at Okoki are: White-winged Duck, Bar-bellied Pitta, Banded Broadbill, Banded Kingfisher, Green Peafowl, Siamese Fireback, White-rumped Pygmy-falcon, Oriental Bay Owl and the Blyth’s Frogmouth. View Okoki bird checklist here
Okoki TourA trip to Okoki is recommended in the dry season, from December to March, and is usually done over 2 nights. It is 5 hours to Okoki from Siem Reap, or 2.5 hours from Tmatboey. It is a very good addition to an itinerary that contains a trip to Tmatboey and Boeng Toal Vulture Restaurant, in the Northern Plains region. Please note, access in the wet season it is almost impossible when some parts to Okoki are cut off due to flooding.
Either start from Siem Reap with birding at Florican Grassland or after a final morning’s birding around Tmatboey. We will pass through Dongplet village and meet people here from the local community. Arriving at Okoki early in the afternoon, we will then go birding near the campsite and camping for two nights. Since Okoki is in a remote area, the only accommodation option is camping. This is done in safari-style tents, among the tall trees, set up by the local community of Dangphlet.
Rising early the following day, we head through the forest and arrive at the predawn hides, seeking the White-winged duck. During a full day’s birding in dry-forest, we expect to encounter species such as the Green Peafowl and White-rumped Pygmy-falcon. Whilst in other forest areas forest, we will see the Bar-bellied Pitta, Banded Broadbill and the Banded Kingfisher. Our time here will also include night walks, where we search for the Oriental Bay Owl and the Blyth’s Frogmouth.
We will have another full morning on day 3 birding at this White-winged duck site before we finish with the transfer back to Siem Reap or next birding destination [Boeng Toal Vulture Restaurant (1.5 hrs) or Kratie (3 hrs) …]
