Best Place to See the Giant Ibis: Why Tmat Paeuy is Unique

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 08:39:49 GMT

Best Place to See the Giant Ibis: Why Tmat Paeuy is Unique

A Rare Encounter in Cambodia's Northern Plains

The Giant Ibis, Cambodia's national bird, is one of the rarest birds in the world. For many wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers, seeing this critically endangered species is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Tmat Paeuy, previously known as Tmat Boey, is widely recognized as the best place to see the Giant Ibis in its natural habitat. Located in Cambodia's Northern Plains, this remote landscape combines protected forests, seasonal wetlands, and community-led conservation.

Unlike many wildlife destinations where encounters are uncertain, Tmat Paeuy offers one of the most reliable opportunities to observe this iconic species.

Why Tmat Paeuy is Unique

1. A Stronghold for the Giant Ibis

Tmat Paeuy lies within one of the last remaining strongholds of the Giant Ibis. The surrounding dry dipterocarp forests and seasonal wetlands provide ideal feeding and nesting habitats.

Thanks to long-term conservation efforts, the area has become one of the most consistent locations in Cambodia to see the species in the wild.

2. A Proven Model of Community Conservation

Tmat Paeuy is internationally recognized as a leading example of community-based ecotourism.

Through partnerships between local communities and conservation organizations, tourism directly supports:

Protection of nesting sites
Community Protected Area management
Local conservation teams
Sustainable livelihoods for local families
Long-term protection of endangered wildlife

By visiting Tmat Paeuy and staying at Kriel Lodge, travelers contribute directly to the conservation of Cambodia's natural heritage.

3. Guided Birdwatching with Local Expertise

Birdwatching experiences are led by local guides who know the landscape intimately and understand the habits of the Giant Ibis and other rare species.

Guests are also accompanied by experienced English-speaking guides, providing both expert interpretation and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.

Experience Tmat Paeuy with Kriel Lodge

Kriel Lodge provides the perfect base for exploring the Northern Plains. Located close to key birdwatching areas, guests can maximize their time in the field and enjoy early-morning wildlife encounters.

Northern Plains Escape (2D1N)

Perfect for travelers with limited time who want to experience Giant Ibis birdwatching and community conservation.

Explore the tour → https://www.kriellodge.com/tour/northern-plains-escape

Northern Plains Discover (3D2N)

An immersive journey through the Northern Plains with additional birdwatching opportunities, cultural experiences, and deeper exploration of the region's unique wildlife.

Explore the tour → https://www.kriellodge.com/tour/northern-plains-discover

More Than Just Birdwatching

A visit to Tmat Paeuy offers much more than the chance to see a rare bird.

The region combines forests, wetlands, local communities, and ancient landscapes, creating an experience where nature, culture, and conservation come together.

Visitors gain a deeper understanding of how responsible tourism helps protect wildlife while supporting local livelihoods.

How a Community Lodge Became a Model for Conservation Tourism

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 12:54:22 GMT

When the world stopped during COVID-19, so did the lifeline that supported Tmat Paeuy.
a small community in Cambodia’s Northern Plains known for protecting some of the world’s rarest birds. For nearly 20 years, visitors came to experience the wilderness, learn from local guides, and search for the critically endangered Giant Ibis. Tourism wasn’t just a source of income, it was the foundation that kept conservation alive.

But when borders closed, tourism collapsed. With almost no visitors for two years, Tmat Paeuy’s eco-lodge deteriorated, income for families disappeared, and funds for essential conservation work like ranger patrols and nest protection dropped to nearly zero. The community needed a way to survive, recover, and rebuild.

A Fresh Start Through “Build Back Better”

In 2023, the Tmat Paeuy community partnered with USAID and Sam Veasna Conservation Stays to upgrade and completely redesign the lodge. Guided by the Build Back Better initiative, the goal was not simply to repair old structures but to transform the lodge into a modern, comfortable, community-run ecotourism destination that could thrive in a post-pandemic world.

The project focused on three core improvements:

1. A Better Stay for Guests

The original lodge was designed mainly for hardcore birdwatchers—simple, functional, and minimal. The rebuilt Kriel Lodge offers comfort, privacy, and a warm atmosphere suitable for any traveler, while still blending naturally with the forest environment.

Guests now enjoy:

Spacious forest-view rooms
Upgraded bathrooms
Welcoming communal areas
Improved dining spaces
Safer, more durable construction

2. Stronger Benefits for the Community

Tourism funds the Village Development Fund, which supports local livelihoods, conservation patrols, community infrastructure, and emergency needs.

By upgrading the lodge, the community now benefits from:

Increased visitor nights
More stable income
Fair wages for cooks, guides, housekeepers, and maintenance teams
More investment in conservation efforts

This gives the entire village a shared, sustainable incentive to protect the forest.

3. A Smarter, Sustainable Model

The rebuild introduced better systems for:

Water and waste management
Energy efficiency
Guest services
Professional hospitality skills

Training programs helped local staff improve guest care, guiding skills, kitchen hygiene, and lodge maintenance. Raising the overall quality of community-led tourism in the Northern Plains.

A Lodge Built by the Community, For the Community

Every step of the rebuilding process involved villagers themselves: carpenters, cooks, hosts, guides, and youth volunteers. Their hands shaped the future of the lodge, ensuring that the design reflects local culture, values, and the identity of Tmat Paeuy.

This sense of ownership is what makes Kriel Lodge so special. It is not a resort built by investors—it is a homegrown conservation lodge run by people who safeguard the forest they depend on.

A Model for Conservation Tourism in Cambodia

Today, Kriel Lodge stands as a flagship example of how rural communities can lead ecotourism operations that protect biodiversity while improving local livelihoods. Visitors staying here directly support:

Protection of the Giant Ibis and over 50 threatened species
Community patrols and wildlife monitoring
Education and village development
Long-term financial security for conservation
What was once a crisis has now become a turning point.

Tmat Paeuy didn’t just rebuild what was lost, they built something better. A stronger lodge. A stronger community. A stronger future for Cambodia’s Northern Plains.

tmatpaeouylodge

Best Place to See the Giant Ibis: Why Tmat Paeuy is Unique

Best Place to See the Giant Ibis: Why Tmat Paeuy is Unique

A Rare Encounter in Cambodia's Northern Plains

Why Tmat Paeuy is Unique

1. A Stronghold for the Giant Ibis

2. A Proven Model of Community Conservation

3. Guided Birdwatching with Local Expertise

Experience Tmat Paeuy with Kriel Lodge

Northern Plains Escape (2D1N)

Northern Plains Discover (3D2N)

More Than Just Birdwatching

How a Community Lodge Became a Model for Conservation Tourism