Gibbon Spotting
Gibbon Spotting is an official trek organized in the Veun Sai Siem Pang region, a lush forest located in the northeastern part of Ratanakiri. This area of Cambodia has become a natural conservation site for endangered primates, home to various species of wildlife. For wildlife enthusiasts, Ratanakiri offers an incredible adventure. This northeastern part of Cambodia presents a rare opportunity to experience wildlife, learn about primate biology, and participate in their conservation.
Gibbon Spotting
Gibbon Spotting is an unforgettable experience where you can observe Northern Yellow-Cheeked Gibbons in their natural habitat. In cooperation with Conservation International, local communities have organized both day and night treks to exclusively observe nocturnal gibbons. This provides a unique way to experience Cambodia from a perspective beyond its culture and history.
Discovered in 2010 in the Veun Sai Siem Pang forest, the Northern Yellow-Cheeked Gibbon is a very rare and endangered species. This large primate has a slender body with extremely long limbs, and what sets it apart from other species are its yellow fur patches that sometimes cover its head, cheeks, or even its entire body. These gibbons live in groups, with each group consisting of two adults and one to three offspring. With over 550 km² of protected area, this conservation site is home to more than 500 gibbons, making it the largest and most important site for gibbon conservation in the world.
In addition to gibbons, you’ll also have the chance to spot other newly discovered species, such as short-legged iridescent lizards or the Walston’s tube-nosed bats.
How Gibbon Spotting works
Between November 1st and June 16th, which is the best time to visit, trekkers depart from Banlung in Ratanakiri for 2 or 3 days. During this time, they will enjoy two full days of daytime hiking and one-night hike to follow or observe an entire gibbon family. To minimize the impact on the primates' natural habitat, the number of trekkers per group is limited to 6 people, totaling just 462 people per year. This ensures an intimate, immersive experience for all participants.
On the first day, trekkers depart from Banlung at 8:30 AM and cover a distance of approximately 35 km to reach the village of Kachon. From there, a boat takes them downstream for 12 km on the Sesan River to the village of I Tub, which is home to a Laotian community. After that, the boat transports them directly toward the Veun Sai-Siem Pang sanctuary. Trekkers arrive at the sanctuary base around 12:30 PM.
To ensure comfort, the camps offer full amenities and a superb safari-style menu. Around 3 PM, after a rest, the first day’s hike begins with a walk through the neighboring savannah. During this part of the trek, you’ll already be able to spot wildlife signs, such as sun bear claw marks on tree trunks or the footprints of deer and other quadrupeds.
The night hike begins around 8 PM and ends at 10 PM. Accompanied by specialized guides or forest rangers, trekkers equipped with flashlights explore the forest to discover the nocturnal gibbons and other animals, such as pygmy lorises or civets.
The second day of the trek focuses on observing the gibbons. To ensure the best experience, trekkers must wake up before sunrise. At 4 AM, they leave the camp to track the gibbons as they call to their family members to mark their territory. After the trek, trekkers return to the base around 10 AM for brunch and then head back to Banlung via the same boat.
How to get there
The easiest way to get to the site is to travel from Banlung. Many agencies in Banlung offer similar Gibbon Spotting tours. Pick-up is arranged at your hotel in Banlung around 8:00 AM.
Schedule and pricing
Generally, all meals, the services of a specialized guide and forest ranger, conservation fees, and mountain bike rental costs are included in the trek price.
Depending on the trekking agency, prices for the tour vary from $390 USD per person for a group of 2, to $290 USD per person for a group of 3 to 6 people.
