Location
Located 160 km from the center of Ho Chi Minh City, this National Park stretches over 71,350 hectares, including Tan Phu and Vinh Cuu districts (Dong Nai), Bao Loc (Lam Dong) and Bu Dang (Binh Phuoc). Initially, the area was divided into south forest and west forest, but later the two areas were connected into one nature reserve.
Recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve since 2001, Nam Cat Tien National Park is a precious natural treasure of Vietnam and the world. In addition, Bau Sau Wetland in Nam Cat Tien was also recognized as an international Ramsar site in 2005. In 2012, the Vietnamese Government ranked Cat Tien National Park as a special national monument.
Nam Cat Tien National Park is a great destination for those who love nature and want to explore the diversity of flora and fauna. This place is famous for its diversity of animals and birds, many of which are listed in the Red Book and are strictly protected. So when you come here, you will have the opportunity to see rare animals and plants living in the wild natural environment.
A trip to Nam Cat Tien National Park is not just a trip, but also a chance to experience the fresh air and tranquility that is different from the hustle and bustle of the city. Under the morning sun, you can wander in the cool forest, listen to the birds singing and immerse yourself in the wild nature.
What is the best season to visit Nam Cat Tien Forest?
Choosing the right time to explore Nam Cat Tien National Park can significantly affect your experience. Between December and May, when the weather is stable and dry, is the ideal time to enjoy the natural beauty here. With a temperate climate, you can cycle through the forest, walk around, sightsee or even camp overnight to enjoy the quiet natural space. Especially, around March, this place will be filled with flocks of butterflies flying around, giving you a memorable experience.
If your plans fall between June and November, keep a close eye on the weather forecast before you leave. This will help you avoid unexpected rainy days and enjoy your trip without interruption.
What to do in Nam Cat Tien?
Trekking Through Nam Cat Tien Forest
Nam Cat Tien National Park
Trekking through the jungle in Nam Cat Tien National Park will bring you an adventurous journey in the heart of wild nature. You will explore many impressive natural landscapes from trails, along winding rivers, to waterfalls, and primeval forests. This will be a journey that challenges your endurance, and gives you a strong sense of connection with nature.
Along the way, you will have the opportunity to encounter wild animals such as monkeys, antelopes, and even rare birds. Along with the rich fauna, you can also encounter unique plants of Nam Cat Tien: giant pine trees that are over 500 years old, banyan trees with giant roots, or rare Dong Bac wood trees with trunks over 2 meters wide.
When trekking in Nam Cat Tien forest, you need to fully prepare personal belongings, tents, sleeping bags, food, water, and insect repellent. In addition, to ensure smooth and safe movement, you should depart during the day, avoid moving in the forest at night.
Rowing in Bau Sau
When visiting Nam Cat Tien National Park, Bau Sau is a destination not to be missed. This is a wetland located in the south of the national park, home to the Siamese crocodile, a rare species that needs to be preserved. Siamese crocodiles in Bau Sau have an average length of 2.2 to 2.8m, with a long body and a snout like a clamp, the main food is fish, crabs, birds and small animals.
This area is managed by Cat Tien National Park and Bau Sau Forest Ranger Station, so if you want to visit, you need to register in advance. The 14 km journey from the administrative center to Bau Sau includes 9 km of road and 5 km of walking through the forest. In the first 9 km, you can use a jeep or bicycle to move, then in the next 5 km you will walk to explore the beauty of the old forest with ancient trees and exposed tree roots.
Bau Sau Lake is more than 2,500 hectares wide in the rainy season, but in the dry season, the lake surface is only 100 to 150 hectares. During the day, you can relax on the shore watching crocodiles swimming, or use the boating service to visit the lake of the ranger station. Especially at sunset, you can admire the beautiful scenery on the lake and take impressive photos.
Fairy Island – Bear Rescue Station
With an area of up to 57 hectares, Tien Island is not only a vast jungle but also a place to rescue, care for and conserve rare animals. This area plays an important role in protecting these species from extinction and providing a safe natural environment for them to thrive. Here, you will encounter unique animals such as silvered langurs, black-shanked doucs, lorises and yellow-cheeked gibbons.
Along with that, this place is also known by many people as a bear rescue station. Bears injured due to illegal hunting will be brought here for treatment, care, and release back into the wild. The staff at the rescue station are always dedicated to creating a cozy environment for the bears, helping them recover and return to nature in good health.
If you are passionate about exploring wild nature, or have a family with small children, visit Tien Island, where children can enjoy watching animals and learn a lot about protecting and preserving wildlife here.
Watch Nocturnal Wildlife
Exploring the nocturnal life of animals in Nam Cat Tien National Park is an exciting and interesting experience. You will enter a completely different world when the sun goes down, and the nocturnal life of the animals begins. To participate in this activity, you just need to contact the management board of Nam Cat Tien tourist area to book tickets. The ticket price includes car rental and tour guide, about 170,000 VND/person.
Experienced guides will take you to places where there are many animals. You can use flashlights to observe the animals more closely.
Deer, squirrels, rabbits, weasels, wild boars, peacocks… are the animals you can encounter on this journey. You will observe how they search for food, build nests, and protect their territory in the dark. The soft steps under the tree canopy, the clacking sound of deer looking for food, or the rubbing sound of weasels on tree branches, all create a vivid and magical picture. To ensure safety, you should not open the car door during the tour.
Ta Lai Tourist Village
At Ta Lai tourist village, you will enter the colorful and diverse world of Vietnam’s ethnic minorities. Life here is bustling with unique customs and practices, where people still maintain their simplicity and rusticity.
The village experience tour offers you the opportunity to learn more about the unique culture here, from the way of dressing, music to traditional handicrafts. You can participate in handicraft making activities, and enjoy delicious traditional dishes.
To get to Ta Lai, you can rent a bicycle for convenience and to save time. Along the way, you will feel close to nature, admire the fresh landscape and interact directly with local people on the trails.
Oc Eo Cultural Relic Site
When you set foot in the Oc Eo cultural relic site in Nam Cat Tien, you will embark on an exciting journey into the mysterious past. Here, unique relics and architectural works have recorded the mark of the ancient kingdom of Phu Nam.
The gold metal pieces engraved with the images of Gods and Goddesses are cultural masterpieces that bear the mark of the nation. These artifacts not only demonstrate the skillful art but also tell us about the beliefs and life of the ancient Funan people. The k’lon box, which was used in cremation rituals, reveals how people honored and respected the deceased.
Fun overnight camping activities
If you want to experience the atmosphere and green space of Cat Tien National Park , you can choose to camp overnight. With lush green grass and sturdy tents, this will be an unforgettable experience that will add more memories to your trip.
In case you go with a large family or friends, you can also have a BBQ party, organize an outdoor party and enjoy this unique atmosphere. Tourists can rent tents from the national park management board or bring their own supplies.
Delicious food near Cat Tien National Park
In addition to admiring the impressive and diverse natural scenery and space of Cat Tien National Park. Visitors also have the opportunity to enjoy many unforgettable delicacies. Some of them include Luc Binh soup, river fish and wild vegetable hotpot, perch and snakehead fish, etc. The dishes are all prepared according to the rustic and unique flavors of the indigenous people. Promises to help visitors have an unforgettable and impressive experience.
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