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Nam Cat Tien National Park
Nam Cat Tien National Park covers 74,000 Hectares of lowland forest and swamp approximately 100km (70miles) north east of Ho Chi Minh City and is home to numerous birds and mammals. One of Vietnams most important and largest National Parks.
The park consists of evergreen tropical and deciduous forest, dominated by Dipterocarpaceae, Fabaceae and Lythraceae (especially Lagerstroemia spp.), with 40% of the park comprising bamboo woodland, and the remaining 10% farmland, wetlands and grassland.
The park fauna is impressive, if highly threatened, comprising of such impressive megafauna as Javan Rhinos (one of only two populations in the world), Asian Elephants, and Sun Bears. Gaur still persist in the area, whereas banteng, kouprey, and Wild Asian Water Buffalo no longer occur in Cat Tien. Some accounts also list Indochinese Tigers, Leopards, Clouded Leopards, Dholes and Asiatic black bears; however, a recent series of surveys did not confirm this.
The park also holds hosts of smaller mammal species, including Yellow-cheeked Gibbons, Silvery Langurs, Crab-eating Macaques, Pygmy Slow Loris, as well as civets, mouse deer, and treeshrews.
The park also has impressive bird species including: peafowl, Siamese fireback, endemic Germain's peacock-pheasant, endemic red-vented barbet, bar-bellied and blue rumped pittas, milky stork and a wide variety of resident and migratory waterfowl. Groups of 10-20 lesser adjutant storks have been observed, and the species is said to breed in the centre of the marsh along with various herons and egrets. Woolly-necked stork has also been reported in recent years. Some migratory ducks are present during winter. The reserve is also rich in birds of prey including several species associated with the wetlands, such as osprey, grey-headed fishing eagle and the crested serpent eagle.
You may wish to visit the Stieng and Chau Ma people, who have lived in the central valley of the reserve for several centuries, and several hundred people are currently resident - especially in the South of the Park.
How to get there:
The Park Headquarters is approximately 160 km away from Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), from where it is usually accessed - via the main road to Da Lat (route 20). Exit HCMC on route 1A and pass through the conurbation of Bien Hoa, then fork left onto route 20 at Dau Giay. After approximately 70 km, turn left at Tan Phu, from where the Park is signposted. Having passed a couple of hamlets (Ap) proceed approximately 13 km (before reaching Talai) and turn right at Phu Lap. Turn left at the Nui Tuong junction, then bear right to follow the river until you reach Nam Cat Tien Hamlet (AP 5). Turn left at the T junction and the ferry crossing into the park is after less than 1 km.Alternatively, for travellers from Da Lat and the north, there is a minor road leading to Nam Cat Tien, which starts with a right turn (currently not signposted) after having passed through the centre of Ma Da Gui town southbound along route 20. After approximately 6 km, turn right then pass through AP 6 after a further 2 km. A rather pot-holed road continues for about 7 km more before reaching Nam Cat Tien Hamlet, where you continue straight on to the ferry crossing, after less than 1 km.
Accommodation:
1. Basic guest house: In fact, the Nam Cat Tien park is still in poor conditions of facilities and the backpackers often get troubles with accommodation here. However, when travelling with us, you will be offered the best guest house here with air-conditioner, private bathroom, clean soft sleeping double-bed, tivi and ofcourse with deep care of our guide!
2. Forest Floor Lodges:
The luxury jungle lodges are located at Ben Cu Rapids, 1 km from the Nam Cat Tien Park's headquarter. Accommodation units, suitable for double occupancy consist of deluxe tents, and traditional Vietnamese wooden houses . These are secluded and equipped for comfort, with good quality bathrooms, and tastefully selected furnishings. Each room is provided with a mini-bar, ceiling fans, and air-conditioning units as required. Many accommodation units are accessed via elevated walkways and offer either views across the Dong Nai river, or a 'living in the jungle' ambience.Main Activities:
1. Trekking/Hiking on ecological trails:The best way to see a great variety in vegetation & wildlife of The Nam Cat Tien, enjoy natural sounds of jungles.
There are many main routes for you to explore:
- Main road in direction of Ta Lai leading through grasslands, plantation, and the forest.
- The longest main road in direction of Dak Lua leading through different types of forest, and end in the floodplain with volcanic hills covered by bamboo.
- However, on the route towards to Dak Lua, turn right at the first junction after Ben Cu forest guard station, we are on the way to beautiful Heaven Rapids.
2. Bird Watching:Bird watchers may have their own preferences, but we usually suggest an early morning start. This is an all-day tour and we will arrange for you to be accompanied by an experienced guide, with transport to one of the several excellent bird watching sites in the Park.
The best months of the year for bird-watching are from December - April, but much can be seen at other times.
3. Night Safari:
The drive is in open top jeep and will leave the Park HQ at 20.00 and take you to the grass land area of the park where the ranger will use a powerful spot light to try and spot deer, wild boar and possibly gaur feeding at night. There is always the chance to see: civets, fishing cats, loris, pangolin and nocturnal birds. We will deliver you to the Park HQ, after which the tour takes approximately one hour.