Cardamom Tented Camp

In a natural clearing not far from the softly flowing river, the central thatched restaurant serves a set menu of hearty Khmer dishes (all locally sourced) as the rustles of the forest become your soundtrack. Grab a drink from the facebrick bar and sit out on the patio as the sun sets and gibbons race through the trees on the river bank.

Along wooden walkways, there are just nine canvas tents on stilts - not to worry, they're mosquito-proof. True to form, the camp keeps things simple with little extra decor but the beds are superb and the bamboo showers are piping hot (the toilets are rather rustic). Large mesh windows let in plenty of light and other amenities include a fan, tea/coffee facilities and built-in USB charging ports. In between jaunts into the forest, you may find yourself on the private terrace, eyes peeled for a kingfisher sighting.

Tread the leaf-covered trails on your own, searching for the pig-tailed macaque and pileated gibbon; or join your guide for a more full-on trek into the jungle where you'll learn how to track animals and check camera traps. Botum Sakor is one of the world's biodiversity hot spots! Take to the water by kayak where rare birdlife flutter to land (there are 8 species of kingfisher!) and, if you're lucky, a smooth-coated otter may join you for a dip in the river.