The “falls” are a popular local attraction when water is flowing on the river; they are located near a zoo that features a small collection of local fauna.
Tek Chhouu Falls may not be as high or as dramatic as the swirling mists and two-tiered spectacle of the nearby Popokvil Falls, but because they are located closer to sea level and therefore do not require an arduous four-wheel drive mountain climb to reach, they attract more visitors than their more amazing counterpart.
Tek Chhouu Falls are really more of a rapids system, tumbling over large rocks that give the illusion of a waterfall. There are no real drops as part of Tek Chhouu Falls, but rather the river here is marked by such large rocks and ledges that what appear to be waterfall cascades appear.
Before the construction of an upstream hydroelectric dam, Tek Chhouu Falls were more popular with local visitors for its convenient location which is about 100 yards nearby the zoo. During rainy seasons, Tek Chhouu Falls serves as a rapids system, tumbling over large rocks that gave the illusion of a waterfall.
As the damn is being constructed, the completed dam will run the water back on to generate power. Tek Chhouu is quite popular with locals who enjoy the ambience where the water is collected on the road leading to the falls. While the falls aren’t really worth visiting without water, it’s clearly unnecessary to visit the zoo unless you believe your $4 entrance will help keep this collection of prisoners fed.
Getting There
The Falls and the zoo are located in the province of Kampot, in southern Cambodia, and as such are on the main tourist path that lies between Phnom Penh and the beach town of Sihanoukville, on Cambodia’s southern coast, near the border with Thailand. Both lie about 5 miles (8km) northwest of town, along the road that runs north from the west bank of the Kampot New Bridge. Kampot is 130 km from Sihanoukville. Buses from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh stop in Kampot Province – except for express trips and costs around $4.
Need to Know
- What it is: Waterfalls (often with no water) near a small zoo.
- Opening hours: 24 hours, daily.
- Entrance fees: $1
- Where: Kampot Province, southern Cambodia.