Cat Tien National Park: Explore the wilderness and adventure in the forest.

Introduction 

Vietnam becoming the hottest travel destination has led to the popularity of the Cat Tien National Park in recent years.  The Cat Tien National is otherwise known as the “green lungs” of the southeast region as it covers one of the largest areas of lowland tropical forests. To experience a journey full of memorable experiences with airy spaces and exciting sites, don’t forget to add Cat Tien National Park to your Vietnam trip package.

General Information

• The Cat Tien National Park is one the best places to visit in Vietnam if you are a nature or animal lover. 
• The National Park is a nature reserve that covers three provinces that are Lam Dong, Dong Nai and Binh Phuoc.
• It is located 150 kilometres away from Ho Chi Minh City.
• The areas under this national park include a network of wetlands and tropical forests of nearly 74,000 hectares. The area is bisected into two sections by a river.
• The biodiversity of the national park has over fifty endangered species listed in the “Red Book” which also includes the Siamese Crocodile and Indochina Tiger. 
• Cat Tien has over 62 types of orchids. 
• The Cat Tien area has been designated as a “World Biosphere Reserve” by UNESCO. 
• The entry fee for the national park costs 60,000 VND. This ticket only covers the entry fee, you will need to buy separate tickets for other activities.

Best Time to visit Cat Tien National Park

Vietnam is beautiful throughout the year, but the best time to visit Vietnam is during the dry season. The temperature in Cat Tien National Park is 27 degrees throughout the year making it favourable for the visitors to visit throughout the year. However, it is best to avoid visiting the national park during the monsoon season i.e. from June to November. The roads are slippery, marshy and hard to trek or go by bicycle. 

The best season to visit the National Park is the dry season which is from December to late May. The amount of rainfall is low, the paths are dry making it convenient to explore the beauty of nature.

How to Reach

Ho Chi Minh City is the starting point of the journey to the National Park. From the city, you can either take the bus, or cab or drive your way to the park.

If you are driving to the national park from Ho Chi Minh City, you will have to take National Highway 1A. You can use a map to get to the park without any inconvenience.

If you are underconfident and have no knowledge of the roads, you can easily take a taxi or a bus to reach your destination. The Thanh Buoi Tourist Bus Company and Phuong Trang Bus Company are the two most popular and comfortable bus companies in the national park.

What to do in the Cat Tien National Park?

As you enter the national park you will have to choose the mode of exploration of the national park. You can either choose a jeep or bicycle or trek your way to the park. Most people choose to trek as it allows them to explore more places.

The must-see attractions of Cat Tien National Park are:

Dao Tien Island :

Dak Tien Island is located 5 minutes away by boat from the Garden Headquarters. It’s a rescue centre for big primates like silver languor, duoc languor, black and small loris and yellow-cheeked gibbons. A visit to this island gives you a closer look at these primates and their lifestyle in the wild. 

The park also has a dedicated area where rescued animals are kept before they enter their new home in the national park. As you explore the primates rescue centre of the park you also explore the lush green forests.

Bear Rescue Station

The bear rescue centre is one of the children’s favourite places to visit in the national park. If you are planning a trip to Vietnam, you should add this national park to the list. The bear rescue centre allows you to take a closer look at the distressed and injured bears. You can also see the treatment and the care they receive at the centre. 

Bau Sau – Crocodile Lake

The crocodile lake is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the park. The large wetlands of the park are the home to many migratory birds and the very famous Siamese Crocodile. 

To visit the Crocodile Lake you will have to rent a jeep from the centre for a distance of 10 kilometres. From there you have to hike your way for about 5 kilometres. As you walk through the forest you get a closer look at the flora and fauna of the natural park. You will also encounter some monkeys, langurs and birds on your way to Crocodile Lake.

As you walk through the forest you will be taken aback by the trunks of the trees of Lagerstroemia stem. If you are lucky enough you will get to see the crocodile catch bait live. You can also admire the dance of the peacocks and listen to the birds singing. 

As the day sets, you will see animals coming to the lake to drink water. Always remember to get a good pair of binoculars to spot the Siamese Crocodile. 

Bird Lake

The Bird Lake is a great place for bird lovers. There are thousands of species of bird in the national park for you to learn and enjoy. The orange-necked Partridge is a rare kind of bird that lives in this national park. The best time to visit Bird Lake is from February to April.

Giant Tung Tree

The Cat Tien National Park has more than 1600 species of trees. Most of these trees are hundreds of years old, especially the Giant Tung Tree. The roots of this tree float above the ground and give the impression of a giant python. Apart from this tree, you will also find other huge trees that require 3 to 4 four people to hug. 

Ben Cu Waterfall

The Ben Cu Waterfall is located 5 kilometres away from the centre of the garden. It will take about 60 minutes if you decide to walk to the waterfall. As you descend to your destination, you will get to see 450 types of butterflies gathering in the sky. 

The Ben Cu Waterfall is not very huge and during the dry season can look like a narrow stream of water but in the monsoon, it overflows.

Apart from visiting the Ben Cu Waterfall, you can also visit the Troi Waterfall or the Dung Waterfall. These two waterfalls are known for their white flowing water. Bear the waterfalls you will get to witness different kinds of birds coming out to drink water. 

Cat Tien Sanctuary

The Cat Tien Sanctuary is an archaeological site stretching about 15 kilometres. The plague was discovered in 1985. The site has evidence of Hindu Temples with metal artefacts of gold, copper and carvings of Goddesses, cows and elephants. 

In the park, you will find two indigenous communities Ma and Stieng living in their traditional lifestyle. You can have a closer look at their lifestyle and learn more about their music, religion and culture.

Ta Lai Ethnic Village 

The Ta Lai Ethnic village has been a part of the national park for a very long time. The Ma and Stieng community stay in this village. As you explore this ethnic village you learn about their culture, their lifestyle and the heritage of the people.  The village also has Ta Lai Memorial prison which has some of the most valuable remains of the American war. 

Where to stay?

The Cat Tien National Park offers a wide range of options to stay starting from basic guest houses to luxury resorts. Some of the best accommodation options are Forest Floor Lodge, Green Bamboo Lodge and Cat Tien Farm which are designed to cater for the needs of different visitors.

Things to Pack

The Cat Tien National Park in Vietnam is located in a tropical environment, keep these tips in mind for an enjoyable trip in Vietnam:

• Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and water are a must.
• Carry an insect repellent as there are high chances of getting bitten by the insects.
• Wear lightweight and comfortable clothes.
• Carry an umbrella or raincoat as there is a high probability of rainfall.
• Keep your medicine and first aid kit handy. 
• To take back great memories don’t forget to keep your binoculars and camera with you.
• Always carry your passport and government IDs along with you.

Activities at Cat Tien National Park

• Wild Gibbon Trek

This is one of the most fun activities to do in the National Park. The activity starts early in the morning and continues for about 2 to 3 hours. As you walk into the forest by the guide, you will be greeted by the sounds of the gibbon. As you follow the sound you will be stunted to see the visual of gibbons in their native habitat eating high up in the trees. 

• Boat Ride to Ta Lai

If you are not afraid of the water, it is highly recommended to take a boat trip to Dong Nai River. The boat ride is a great way to discover the park from the water. You can just sit on the boat and observe the various flora and fauna of this beautiful national park. 

• Night Safari

The easiest way to spot animals is through night safari. You can ride on an open truck take shelter and observe various animal activities from behind the bushes. 

Other National Parks to Visit in Vietnam

• Phong Nha ke Bang National Park
• Cuc Phuong National Park
• Bach Ma National Park
• Ba Be National Park
• Cat Ba National Park
• Pu Luong Nature Reserve

Conclusion

VietThe Cat Tien  National Park is beautiful, it is one of the best ways to observe the wildlife in their natural habitat. You get to observe the animals very closely and that’s an experience of a lifetime. This national park is a must-visit destination if you are interested in nature, wildlife and adventure