Angkor Wildlife & Aquarium

Earlier this year, a friend and I visited Asia and spent some time in both Hanoi, Vietnam and Siem Reap, Cambodia.  We had an afternoon flight leaving Siem Reap so we decided to visit Angkor Wildlife & Aquarium before we went to the airport.

Getting There

We were staying at Cheathata CTS Hotel Siem Reap which was about a 35 minute drive to the zoo.  We got our friend Borey who has been driving us around in his van the entire trip.  He didn’t have an accessible van but it was big and spacious for me to be lifted in and store my folded up wheelchair.

Borey driving us to Angkor Wildlife & Aquarium before heading to the airport

It was great having him drive us around as he would give us details and information of the places that we drive by.  He would often make stops so we could take pictures of landmarks or to get drinks and snacks along the way.  The adult admission price was $20 USD and we only had to pay for 1 ticket as the wheelchair companion guest got a free ticket.

cost was $20 usd for an adult but they offer free companion ticket

About Angkor Wildlife & Aquarium

Angkor Wildlife & Aquarium is newish as it just opened in November 2022.  They actually offer a free roundtrip shuttle from downtown Siem Reap which we didn’t use.  Only phase 1 of 3 for the park has actually opened with the other phases for future development.  Using just over 28 acres of land, there is still a lot to see.

zoo map

There is over 200 different wild life species including the Siamese crocodile, the Bengal tiger, and sun bear.  The aquarium has over 100 different aquatic species of sea life including freshwater fish and saltwater fish.  At the Reptile House, there is 30 species of local reptiles.

zoo garden

Exhibits

There is 4 main attractions/exhibits: River & Ocean Spectacle, Touch Pool, Wildlife Animal Park, and Reptile House.

huge aquarium

After getting tickets, we first enter the Angkor Aquarium.  There were snakes and reptiles and lots of fish in giant aquariums.  Some of them were quite big, it was fun taking pictures in front of them.  There were 2 different underwater tunnel aquariums.  I really enjoy these as it makes me feel like I am in the water with the fish but without getting wet.

1 of 2 underwater tunnel aquariums

My friend then did put his hand in the touch pool.  There were starfish, crabs, stingrays and other small fish swimming around.  We then checked out the tiger sanctuary, aviary, the floating market, and then the reptile house.  The zoo was not that big as we then looked around the gift shop for a bit while waiting for Borey to pick us up.

my friend interacted with the touch pool but I didn’t

Accessibility

I was quite impressed with the accessibility of Angkor Wildlife & Aquarium.  First, they do offer a free companion ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket for the wheelchair guest.  Since it was only opened a few years ago, everything looked very modern and still new.

very easy to get around

The pathways were all paved and flat.  It was easy to get around the aquarium, the reptile house, and the floating market too.  The zoo was not busy at all and it felt like we were the only ones there sometimes.  It made it easier to get around anyways without the crowds.

accessible floating market

Final Thoughts

birds

My friend and I did enjoy our visit at the Angkor Wildlife & Aquarium, even though it was just over 2 hours.  The zoo is a bit on the smaller side but when construction is done on the next 2 phases, I would like to come back to check it out.  We were glad to have something to do before leaving Siem Reap to go to the airport.

was a fun time at the zoo