Battambang

Phnom Sampeau bat caves and killing caves

A late afternoon out of Battambang

National parks and natureType

In short

Phnom Sampeau is a limestone hill outside Battambang with two very different things on it. At dusk, a colony of free-tailed bats pours out of a cave mouth in an unbroken ribbon that takes half an hour to pass. Higher up are caves the Khmer Rouge used as execution sites, now a memorial. Most visitors see both in one evening.

Checked

September 2026

Part of Wildlife

At a glance

Visiting

Where: About 12 km south-west of Battambang
Bat exodus: Around dusk, daily - arrive by late afternoon for a seat
Time needed: Half an afternoon into the evening
Also on the hill: Memorial caves, a pagoda and a summit viewpoint
Getting there: Tuk-tuk from Battambang, usually waiting for the return

Questions travellers ask

What time do the bats come out?

Around dusk, which shifts through the year. Your driver will know the current time better than any website.

Are the caves difficult?

There are steps and some steep sections. The memorial caves are a sobering visit, not a scenic one.