Ko Kong province
Bordered by Pursat, Kampong Spue, Kampot, Sihanoukville and Thailand, the coastal province of Ko Kong is one of the more commonly visited yet least explored provinces of Cambodia.
Just as Mondulkiri and Rattanakiri in Cambodia's east form Cambodia's "Wild East", Ko Kong certainly qualifies as a part of Cambodia's "Wild West". An uninhabited rugged coastline (which forms a part of the Botum Sakor National Park) forms the coastal strip of what becomes the Cardamon Mountains which separates central Cambodia from the coastline. Rich in rivers, forest cover and bio diversity, the province offers considerable promise for nature-lovers, though at present the infrastructure for getting these nature lovers into nature is somewhat restricted.
To the vast majority of visitors, the province is best known for the provincial capital of Ko Kong, which despite what you may think, is not on an island -- Ko Kong town is well and truly on the mainland. It is here to Ko Kong that for years independent travellers have been arriving from Thailand to continue along the coastal strip to Cambodia's beach play-ground of Sihanoukville.
Aside from Ko Kong town, there is also Ko Kong island, Ko S'dach island and a bunch of others -- plus ample possibilities for riverine excursions, waterfall trips and, if you're in luck, dolphin spotting.
The province is much more than a passing note to a beach holiday. At least give the provincial capital an overnight stay and, for those with more time or a more adventurous spirit, there is a lot more worth investigating further.
