Ratanakkiri: Crater Lakes, Forests and Waterfalls

Ratanakkiri offers a variety of ways to explore nature: crater lakes and forest lakes, rivers and waterfalls are all part of the landscape, alongside hills, mountains, plateaus and valleys. Each place has its own distinct character. The lakes are notable for their volcanic origins, recreational appeal, forests and wildlife; waterfalls can be distinguished by their height and tiered formations. These features help you define your interests in nature without describing every place in the same way.

Lakes with Different Features

The natural lake Boeng Kanseng is in the center of Banlung in Ratanakiri Province. A description published on August 24, 2026, calls it a recreational destination visited by locals as well as national and international tourists.

Yeak Loam Lake in Ratanakkiri is a volcanic crater lake. By contrast, Yakkamay Lake is characterized by rich forest cover and diverse wildlife; this natural lake is in Seda Commune in Lumphat District. The lakes therefore have different defining features: Yeak Loam is characterized by its volcanic formation, while Yakkamay is distinguished by the interplay of lake, forest and wildlife.

Forests, Highlands and Wildlife

At the provincial level, the landscape ranges from gentle hills and mountains to a flat plateau and lowlands in the watershed. Other features mentioned include crater lakes, rivers and waterfalls. Elevations, flat areas and varied waterscapes thus provide a broad overview of Ratanakkiri’s natural environment.

Virachey National Park includes natural forests, mountain ranges, plateaus, valleys and streams, as well as Indigenous communities and diverse wildlife. It is located in the Ta Veng and Vuong Sai districts of Ratanakkiri and extends into Siem Reap District in Stung Treng Province. The description thus brings together a range of landscape types, the communities living in the park and its wildlife.

Waterfalls and Swimming

Chaung Waterfall is 25 meters high and cascades down from Svay Mountain near the town of Ban Lung. It is in Chaung Village in O Chum District. The natural O Sinler Waterfall is also known as the seven-tier waterfall. It is located in Village 3 of Kaleng Commune in Lumphat District, Ratanakiri Province. In comparing the two falls, Chaung is distinguished by its height, while O Sinler is notable for its tiered formation.

Visitors can swim at Teuk Chet Tattai; the resort is in Lumphat District, Ratanakkiri. Check local conditions before visiting. When weighing up your interests in nature, swimming here offers a different focus from a lake’s volcanic formation, forest and wildlife, or the waterfalls described above.

Discover more destinations: Athens, Prey Veng, Svay Rieng, Kompong Chhnang, Pailin, Kampong Thom, Oddar Meanchey Province.

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