Phou Khao Khouay is one of Laos’ most beautiful nature reserves. This extensive sandstone mountain range is only 40 kilometres northeast of Vientiane. 

The landscape and ecosystem varies from sheer sandstone cliffs and pristine river gorges to rough mountain slopes. Three large rivers and numerous tributaries empty into the nearby Mekong. In the centre of the reserve lies the beautiful Ang Nam Leuk reservoir. Another reservoir, Ang Nam Mang 3, has only recently been completed and still shows the scars of construction work. It is located in the very west of the park.

Covering three provinces, Phou Khao Khouay is stretching over about 80 kilometres from west to east and up to 40 kilometres from north to south. The area covers about 2000 square kilometres. The highest mountain peak is 1671 metres high.

It cannot be denied that parts of Phou Khao Kouay have been heavily logged and exploited. Still, it is home to some remarkable wildlife. With the exception of elephants, most of these animals are rarely seen though.

Some of the larger animals that inhabit the national reserve are the Asian Black Bear, Sun Bear, wild dog (Jackal and Dhole), Southern Serow, Clouded Leopard, Sambar, Mouse Deer, Phayre’s Langur, White-cheeked Gibbon, Rhesus and Pig-tailed Macaque, civets and otters. In 2001, the sighting of a Siamese Crocodile near to the Nam Leuk reservoir has been reported, but this may have been the result of an erroneous observation. Whether there are still tigers present in the park remains to be reconfirmed.

Two herds of Asian Elephant live inside the park. They have formed two groups, who apparently do not mingle or interbreed with each other. While one smaller herd is living in the north-eastern part (Nam Mang/Long Xan valley), the other group of about 40 to 50 heads is roaming near Ban Na in the southern periphery of the park.

There are many different bird species in the park. The most remarkable one is the majestic Green Peafowl. This once very common bird of the Mekong lowlands is now confined to only five tiny enclaves in southern Laos. Amongst other birds are the Blue-breasted Quail, Siamese Fireback, Red-collared Woodpecker, Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo, Grey-headed Lapwing, Jerdon’s Baza, Fish Eagle and Purple Heron. The park is also home to a large number of butterflies and countless other insect species.

Animals found in the park include elephants, tigers, bears, 13 pairs of white-cheeked gibbons, langurs, reptiles, amphibians and birds.