Bach Ma 3-Day Birding Tour
A comprehensive birding adventure through Indochina’s premier national parks, this tour focuses on the most sought-after endemic and specialist species of the Annamite Mountains. Designed around your pace, priorities, and target birds, it’s one of our most popular and rewarding wildlife experiences.
Details
Summary:
— 3-Day / 2-Night Tour
— Bookings Available Year-Round
— Departs from Da Nang, Hue or Hoi An
— Private Tours for Individuals or Small Groups, with Options for Larger Groups Available Upon Request
Prices From:
Single Person: $875 per person
Group of 2: $523 per person
Group of 3: $440 per person
Group of 4: $379 per person
Bach Ma 3-Day Birding Tour
Code: HUMD01 | Categories: Birding | Locations: Da Nang / Hoi An, Hue
Summary
Join us on our classic 3-Day / 2-Night comprehensive birding tour of the stunning Bach Ma National Park of Central Vietnam. This tour is perfect for experiencing the region’s rich and endemic bird life in one of the last protected ecosystems of the globally unique biodiversity of the Annamite Mountains. The trip has been designed to maximise species diversity while giving you the time and flexibility to focus on both tougher-to-find targets and ensure spectacular photography along the way. Though we follow a general itinerary, each tour is tailored to your priorities, whether that’s specific species, photography, field pace, or other interests.
The trip can begin from Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An or other nearby locations upon request. Over three days, you’ll enjoy world-class birding across a diverse array of habitats including high elevation montane and evergreen forests, lowland forests, paddy fields, and grasslands. Spotlighting sessions are included on both nights for owls, frogmouths and nightjars. Our team provides red-light torches and headlamps.
Bach Ma has recorded over 350 different species of bird, living up to its reputation as one of Vietnam’s premiere birding locations. Some of the most frequently targeted and specialist species include: Rufous-throated Partridge, Silver Pheasant, Hodgson’s Frogmouth, Silver-backed Needletail, Mountain Scops Owl, Spot-bellied Eagle Owl, Red-headed Trogon, Brown Hornbill, Blue-rumped Pitta, Bar-bellied Pitta, Long-tailed Broadbill, Silver-breasted Broadbill, Ratchet-tailed Treepie, White-winged Magpie, Indochinese Green Magpie, Sultan Tit, Golden Babbler, Streaked Wren-babbler, Black-throated Laughingthrush, Mountain Fulvetta, and many more.
Accommodation is in original French-style villas near the summit, with clean rooms and basic amenities. All meals and non-alcoholic drinks are included. This tour can be customised with additional days and/or linked with other Next Continent tours upon request. Experience the best of Bach Ma birdlife and natural beauty in this expertly crafted, flexible birding tour.
If your time is short, we can customise this tour to fit a 2-Day / 1-night itinerary. Complete our booking form or get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to help! If time is extra short, you may wish to consider our Explore Bach Ma: Waterfalls, Wildlife and Natural Wonders.
Itinerary
Day 1:
- Early pick-up from your accommodation (Hue, Da Nang, or Hoi An)
- Enjoy a takeaway Vietnamese breakfast en route
- Birding in lowland forest edges and paddy fields surrounding the park
- Scenic drive into Bach Ma National Park and up to the summit area (birding on the way)
- Check-in at your villa accommodation near the summit
- Lunch with views of the forest
- Afternoon birding along forest trails near the summit
- Dinner at the villa
- Optional: Evening spotlighting for owls, nightjars, frogmouths, etc
Day 2:
- Full day of tailored birding across varied habitats in the park
(customised to your pace, interests, and key species) - Opportunities for both summit and mid-elevation trails
- Lunch provided within the park
- Return to the villa for rest and dinner
- Optional: Night walk or spotlighting session
Day 3:
- Morning birding around the summit trails
- Breakfast at the villa
- Late morning descent to lower elevations for additional birding and lunch
- Early afternoon return to your accommodation. Tour ends late afternoon / early evening
Top Target Birds
As mentioned above, Bach Ma has recorded an impressive list of over 350 different species, including some crippling rarities such as Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo, Blyth’s Kingfisher and more. A typical 3-day tour (season depending) can see us target around 50-100 Annamite Range specialist species (and more during transit back to Da Nang). Besides the species mentioned in the opening summary, some regular highlight species include Scaly-breasted Partridge, Barred Cuckoo Dove, Square-tailed Drongo Cuckoo, Common Cuckoo, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Black Eagle, Red-headed Trogon, Brown (Austen’s) Hornbill, Necklaced Barbet, Bay Woodpecker, Grey-chinned Minivet, White-browed Shrike Babbler, White-bellied Erpornis, Bronzed Drongo, Blyth’s Paradise Flycatcher, Puff-throated Bulbul, Grey-cheeked Warbler, Kloss’s Leaf Warbler, Black-throated Tit, Indohinese Yuhina, White-browed Scimitar Babbler, Siberian Thrush, Hainan Blue Flycatcher, Slaty-backed Forktail, Red-flanked Bluetail, Fork-tailed Sunbird, Olive-backed Pipit and many more.
A comprehensive list can be viewed on eBird. More specialist targets can include Vietnamese Crested Argus (though we now recommend elsewhere for this species — contact us for more details) and Red-collared Woodpecker.
Other Wildlife Highlights
It’s no secret that where birding is spectacular, other wildlife experiences often follow and Bach Ma is no exception. From primates like the Northern Yellow-cheeked Gibbon and Red-shanked Douc Langur to mammals such as the Annamite Muntjac, the park offers outstanding wildlife encounters. It’s also a hotspot for herping, with species like the Bạch Mã Green Rat Snake, Impressed Tortoise, Big-eyed Bamboo Snake, and Tiny Bubble-nest Frog. Butterfly watching, rare orchids, and tropical invertebrates add even more depth to the experience. The entire Next Continent team is thoroughly trained across major wildlife groups, so whether you want to add a bit of herping, track down a gibbon, or search for rare tropical moths during your birding tour, we’re ready to help.
If you want to learn more, visit our Bach Ma Wildlife Tours page, or get in touch with our team directly.
Tour Pace
Conditions in Bach Ma are typically moderate in difficulty with some nice, well-maintained paths and roads for straightforward walking. However, it should be noted that there are some optional steep climbs and more-demanding tracks. As we make our way through your tour, we’ll adapt to the best spots for you, your pace and target species.
Group Size
Private tours for individuals or small groups with options for larger groups available upon request.
Climate & Weather Conditions
Cool and temperate year-round. Misty mornings with frequent fog in the highlands. Humid conditions with regular rain showers, especially from October to December.
Tour Inclusions
- Private guide specialising in birds, natural history and other wildlife
- Dedicated driver for convenience
- Pickup and drop-off from your accommodation
- All meals during your tour
- Non-alcoholic beverages throughout the day
- Water bottles and snacks available in the vehicle
- All necessary entrance tickets and permits
- Comprehensive insurance coverage
- First aid and a COVID-safe environment
Photography Opportunites & Notes
Superb photographic opportunities, though conditions can be moderately challenging due to typical forest terrain. As photo opportunities vary greatly depending on target species and time of year, we recommend discussing your goals with the Next Continent team in advance so we can tailor the best possible plan for your photography experience.
Discover More in Central Vietnam
If this tour caught your eye, you might also enjoy some of our other experiences in the region, each with its own unique focus and highlights. Below are some of our most popular and recommended options, perfect for discovering more of what Central Vietnam has to offer. Thinking of doing more than one? Let us know and we’ll be happy to create a customised package to suit your journey.
Discover Da Nang After Dark on Our Nocturnal Spotlighting Tour. The perfect experience for birders, wildlife photographers and nature lovers to get up close and personal with some of Vietnam’s unique and rarely seen nocturnal creatures. Running year-round, this tour highlights species such as the Indian Nightjar, Savanna Nightjar, Collared Scops Owl, and Eastern Barn Owl — alongside an array of fascinating reptiles, amphibians, moths, and more!
Experience the wild side of Hoi An with our sunrise Birding Cruise, the best way to enjoy the tranquil beauty of dawn and discover the region’s rich birdlife. Spot vibrant kingfishers, graceful herons, colourful bee-eaters, barbets and more on this peaceful journey. Perfect for wildlife lovers, nature photographers and families alike.
Discover the rich birdlife of Da Nang on one of our expertly guided birding tours. From coastal forests and mountain slopes to wetlands, dunes, sandflats, and river systems, this region supports a remarkable diversity of resident and migratory bird species. Whether you’re a dedicated birder, a passionate wildlife photographer, or a curious nature enthusiast, our tours provide some of the best birding experiences in Vietnam. Half Day, Full Day, Spotlighting and Custom Tours available.
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
Tour Reviews
Still have questions? Get in touch with us directly
- info@nextcontinent.travel
- Phone / WhatsApp / Zalo: (+84) 328 955 019
- Frequently Asked Questions
