Koh Kong

I accidentally found 4 Rivers Floating Lodge. Sitting on the Tatai River in the untouched Botum Sakor National Park. We flew from Malaysia to Phnom Penh, then drove a very bumpy 4 1/2 hours to a small dock. A wooden boat powered by two lawn mower engines propelled us further down the palm tree lined river, until tiny white tents popped out. 

The lodge is nestled between the Cardamom Mountains and the Gulf of Thailand. It’s waterways and islands are home to some of Asia’s most endangered animals. We were very happy to not have any run ins with sun bears or cloud leopards, as they’ve been spotted gnawing on wild pigs just a few meters behind camp.

The island’s are also home to communities that aren’t recognized by the Cambodian government as actually existing. Because of this, they aren’t able to get any funding for schools or teachers. 4 Rivers considers itself an ecolodge and is built with, around, and for these communities. Over the past few years they’ve successfully built a small school, which we had the opportunity to visit while the children were on public holiday.

We met a family who’s matriarch makes weekly trips to the city market, stocking the only store on the islands. The boat trip takes an entire day. She has been bitten twice by the highly venomous green viper. 

A local guide brought us to nearby mangroves. We kayaked and swam and ate. We visited an island that houses just one family. As our boats clumsily made their way through, a shoeless  toddler hopped on a makeshift boat, similar to a large trash can lid, and floated around us with absolute ease.

I don’t want to share too much information about Tatai. I want it to remain remote, desolate, and nearly hotel-less. Except for 4 Rivers. I hope all eleven of their tents are always full and I hope their mission continues to grow, building more facilities for their overlooked neighbors.