




Wild Mekong: 3-Day Birding Expedition to Tram Chim National Park
Our ultimate Mekong Delta birding experience. From storks and cranes, to bee-eaters and shorebirds, the Mekong Delta offers some of the best wetland and coastal habitat birding in Indochina. This high-action tour targets the full range of specialties of this region, with extensive daytime birding, spotlighting, dawn river cruises and visits to high-tide wader roosts. Expect 120~ species in just three days. Private tours led by expert guides, tailored for serious birders, photographers, and anyone after the best quality birding Vietnam has to offer.
Details
Summary
— 3-Day / 2-Night Tour
— Bookings Available Year-Round
— 2x Private Boat Cruises Included
— Departs from Ho Chi Minh City
— Private Tours for Individuals or Small Groups, with Options for Larger Groups Available Upon Request
Prices From:
Single Person: $985 per person
Group of 2: $625 per person
Group of 3: $530 per person
Group of 4: $455 per person
Wild Mekong: 3-Day Birding Expedition to Tram Chim National Park
Code: MDMD01 | Categories: Birding, Boat & River Cruises | Locations: Mekong Delta
Summary:
Explore the wetlands, forests, and mudflats of southern Vietnam on a private birding and photography journey through the Mekong Delta. This 3-day / 2-night expedition focuses on the waterbird-rich landscapes of Tràm Chim National Park and thecoastal shores of Gò Công, home to some of Southeast Asia’s rarest and most endangered birdlife. Whether you’re a seasoned birder, dedicated wildlife photographer, or just beginning your journey into natural history, this flexible, fully guided itinerary is tailored to your pace and interests.
With over 150 target species on this tour, it’s impossible to list them all, however here are some of the standout and often-request highlights: Knob-billed Duck, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Garganey, Pink-necked Green Pigeon, Large-tailed Nightjar, Watercock, Sarus Crane, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Bronze-winged Jacana, Oriental Pratincole, Painted Stork, Oriental Darter, Glossy Ibis, Black Bittern, Javan Pond Heron, Purple Heron, Tibetan Sand Plover, Kentish Plover, Nordmann’s Greenshank, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Dunlin, Black-winged Kite, Black Baza, Eastern Marsh Harrier, Pied Harrier, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Black-capped Kingfisher, Collared Kingfisher, Coppersmith Barbet, Freckle-breasted Woodpecker, Ashy Tailorbird, Striated Grassbird, Chestnut-tailed Starling, Brown-throated Sunbird, Baya Weaver, Plain-backed Sparrow, and more.
This tour is especially rewarding during the winter months (November–March) when overwintering waders arrive, but remains a worthwhile and bird-rich trip year-round. Combine it with our Cat Tien 3-Day Birding Tour for a complete 6–7 day Southern Vietnam birding adventure.
Itinerary:
Day 1:
Depart Ho Chi Minh City in the morning and arrive and check in at Tràm Chim National Park by late morning. Spend the day birding across the park’s diverse habitats, including flooded grasslands, melaleuca forest, river systems, and open marshes. In the evening, enjoy a sunset boat cruise deep into the forest and a spotlighting session after dark, targeting Large-tailed Nightjar, Collared Scops Owl, and possibly Mainland Leopard Cat.
Day 2:
Begin with a dawn boat safari, followed by a productive morning of birding throughout Tràm Chim. Target species include Sarus Crane, Painted Stork, Asian Golden Weaver, and a range of waterfowl and grassland specialists. After lunch, we’ll do a quick species clean for grassland specialities we may have missed be transferring to the quiet coast of Tan Thanh, where you’ll overnight near the Gò Công mudflats.
Day 3:
Today, we’ll spend our time exploring the mangrove forests, tidal estuaries, and coastal mudflats of Tan Thanh, prime habitat for Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann’s Greenshank, Asian Dowitcher, Great Knot, Mangrove Whistler and other rare and migratory shorebirds. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon, arriving by evening.
Trip Highlights:
Target 150+ species across Vietnam’s most important wetland and coastal habitats
Search for endangered and migratory species, including Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Nordmann’s Greenshank, and Sarus Crane
Explore diverse ecosystems: melaleuca forests, flooded grasslands, river channels, mangroves, and coastal mudflats
Enjoy two private boat cruises through Tràm Chim National Park
Experience a spotlighting session for nocturnal birds and mammals
Guided by an expert naturalist with scopes, field gear, and in-depth local knowledge
Private and fully customisable, with departures on your chosen dates
Tour Logistics & Inclusions:
Expert Guide: Led by a professional Next Continent naturalist with in-depth knowledge of the region’s birdlife and broader natural history
Accommodation: 1 night in comfortable lodging inside Tràm Chim National Park, and 1 night at a hotel near Tân Thành Beach
Meals: Flexible – self-cater or let us arrange meal packages to suit your dietary preferences
Transport: All ground transfers included, roundtrip from Ho Chi Minh City
Equipment: All birding and field gear provided, including spotlighting equipment and high-quality spotting scope
Boat Cruises: Includes two private boat safaris through Tràm Chim’s waterways and melaleuca forest




Kingfishers of Vietnam: 7-Day Photography Tour
A vibrant and fast-paced bird photography tour focused entirely on Vietnam’s dazzling diversity of kingfishers, this 7-day expedition is ideal for solo photographers, couples, and specialist photo groups. With expert guides, custom hide setups, and boat trips for up-close action on the water, you’ll have outstanding opportunities to photograph Blue-eared, Black-backed Dwarf, Banded, Stork-billed, and Pied Kingfishers, alongside Common, White-throated, Black-capped, and Collared. Designed for the best light, angles, and repeat encounters, this tour offers a richly rewarding experience with some of Asia’s most striking birds.
Indochinese Silver Langur: 3-Day Photography Expedition
Journey to the far southwest of Vietnam for an exclusive encounter with one of Asia’s most striking primates, the Indochinese Silver Langur. Based in Ha Tien, Kien Giang Province, this 3-day photography-focused expedition offers rare opportunities to observe and capture this elusive langur, known for its silvery coat, spiky crest, and vivid orange infants. With two full days exploring the surrounding forests alongside expert trackers, this tour is ideal for primate photographers and naturalists alike.
Discover vibrant birding experiences across Southern Vietnam’s expansive mangroves, scenic coastlines, lush evergreen forests, and spectacular national parks. We offer a diverse and exclusive selection of single & multi-day tours, ranging from classic birding days and endemic-focused trips to photography experiences, combination itineraries, and more, ensuring there’s a world-class birding experience for everyone.
Tailor Your Experience
Looking to enhance your experience? Whether it’s adding an extra day, making an additional stop, arranging pick-up from a distant location, hiring a camera, or combining your tour with another one of our amazing experiences, we’ve got you covered. Get in touch today, and let our experts craft a private, customised itinerary with dates and prices tailored to your needs
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