Cat Tien 3-Day / 2-Night Herping Tour
Our premier Cat Tien Herping Experience focuses on the region’s rich biodiversity and sought-after species, from the spectacular Ruby-eyed Green Pitviper, to the endemic Cattien Bent-toed Gecko, and the striking Banded Krait. This tour features extensive night walks exploring streams, forest trails, and a wide range of habitat types, ensuring a high encounter rate and exceptional species diversity. Designed to maximise both sightings and photographic opportunities, it’s tailored for serious herpers, wildlife watchers, and nature photographers seeking an unforgettable deep dive into Southeast Asia’s herpetological frontier.
Details
Summary:
— 3-Day / 2-Night Tour
— Bookings Available Year-Round
— Departs from Ho Chi Minh City, Da Lat, or other locations on request
— Private Tours for Individuals or Small Groups, with Options for Larger Groups Available Upon Request
Prices From:
Single Person: $930 per person
Group of 2: $510 per person
Group of 3: $420 per person
Group of 4: $335 per person
Cat Tien 3-Day / 2-Night Herping Tour
Code: CTMD03 | Categories: Herping | Locations: Cat Tien National Park, Ho Chi Minh City
Summary:
Join us for a specialist herping expedition through the lowland forests of Cát Tiên National Park, one of southern Vietnam’s premier sites for reptiles and amphibians, with over 115 reptile and 45 amphibian species recorded. This 2-day / 2-night tour is designed specifically for field herpers seeking high diversity, extensive nocturnal field time, and habitat-specific targeting across a wide range of terrain and microhabitats.
Cat Tien is home to a notable list of highlight species, including regional specialties like the Ruby-eyed Pit Viper (Trimeresurus rubeus), Red Whip Snake (Dryophiops rubescens), and the endemic Cát Tiên Bent-toed Gecko (Cyrtodactylus cattienensis). Snakes such as cobras, kraits, pythons, Boiga, and Lycodon species are major and regular highlights, with frequent encounters of Monocled Cobra (Naja kaouthia), Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus), Blue Krait (Bungarus candidus), Indochinese Spitting Cobra (Naja siamensis), Laotian Wolf Snake (Lycodon laoensis), and Gunther’s Kukri Snake (Oligodon cinereus) among key targets.
Tree snakes, cat snakes, racers, wolf snakes, and homalopsids are also regularly encountered. Diurnal specialties such as Clouded Monitor, Chinese Water Dragon, Siamese Crocodile, and a wide variety of forest skinks, agamids, and rare forest turtles are prime targets during daytime fieldwork.
Amphibian highlights include the Vietnamese Moss Frog (Theloderma vietnamense), South Vietnamese Painted Frog (Kaloula discordia), Hansen’s Bushfrog (Feihyla cf. hansenae), and Annam Tree Frog (Rhacophorus annamensis), with seasonal turnover of microhylids, stream frogs, and gliding species depending on timing.
While most nights are spent on foot spotlighting forest trails, streambeds, and river or wetland edges, we also use jeeps and motorbikes to access deeper sections of the park after dark—maximising our exposure to the park’s habitat diversity and range-restricted species.
The tour is most productive during the summer and wet season (April to October), though we operate year-round, with different seasonal assemblages and photographic opportunities throughout. Nocturnal fieldwork is conducted using high-quality spotlights and specialised equipment, with our expert local team focused on maximising species counts and assisting with photographic setups.
Accommodation is at the park headquarters in air-conditioned rooms with ensuite bathrooms, WIFI, and most importantly, 24-hour access to trails across the park, ideal for late-night herping sessions. Meals are flexible, either self-catered or arranged through nearby restaurants.
This tour is designed for serious and passionate herpers seeking a comprehensive, professional experience in one of Southeast Asia’s richest herpetofaunal regions. Guests also have the option to add a second guide and dedicated herping tracker, highly recommended and considered a standard upgrade for this tour. This additional support typically results in around a 30% increase in field activity and sightings, with the second guide walking parallel trails or working in tandem with your group to maximise encounters. The tour is often customised as a 3-night itinerary or extended to include other southern Vietnam herping locations such as Di Linh, Bao Lam, Ma Da, and Thai Mai, for even greater species diversity and access to high-elevation or specialist targets.
Itinerary
While we follow a general structure, no two tours are exactly the same. Each day’s routes, habitats, and search areas are tailored to your target species, photographic goals, and current field conditions. This flexible, guest-focused approach consistently delivers higher species counts, better photographic results, and a more rewarding overall experience.
Day 1:
Transfer from Ho Chi Minh City or Da Lat to Cát Tiên National Park. Your guide will assist with park entry, ferry crossing, and check-in at your accommodation. Before the tour begins, you’ll have a detailed consultation with your guide or team to discuss priorities, target species, and the best strategy for the trip. Upon arrival, we immediately begin diurnal herping, exploring key areas, flipping logs, searching forest streams, and scouting for nocturnal setups. After dinner, we head out for our first night spotlighting session, featuring extensive nocturnal searching across a variety of habitats. Expect a very late return to accommodation.
Day 2:
This day typically includes a visit to Crocodile Lake via the Bàu Sấu Trail, a productive area for forest dragons, skinks, turtles, and the critically endangered Siamese Crocodile. Our second night session focuses on deeper sections of the park and is often the most extensive spotlighting of the trip, targeting species in remote or under-surveyed microhabitats.
Day 3:
Our final full day in the park is entirely flexible, shaped around your remaining targets, species yet to be found, and any locations you wish to revisit. After lunch and a final debrief, we begin the return journey to Ho Chi Minh City, Da Lat, or your next destination.
Target Species Summary
Snakes:
Elapids (Elapidae):
Banded Krait (Bungarus fasciatus), Blue Krait (Bungarus candidus), King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), Monocled Cobra (Naja kaouthia), Indochinese Spitting Cobra (Naja siamensis), Small-spotted Coral Snake (Calliophis maculiceps)
Vipers (Viperidae):
White-lipped Pit Viper (Trimeresurus albolabris), Ruby-eyed Pit Viper (Trimeresurus rubeus)
Colubrids (Colubridae):
Asian Whip Snake (Ahaetulla prasina), Golden Tree Snake (Chrysopelea ornata), Painted Bronzeback (Dendrelaphis pictus), Nganson Bronzeback (Dendrelaphis ngansonensis), Red Whip Snake (Dryophiops rubescens), Jasper Cat Snake (Boiga jaspidea), Green Cat Snake (Boiga cyanea), Many-spotted Cat Snake (Boiga multomaculata), Siamese Cat Snake (Boiga siamensis), Radiated Rat Snake (Coelognathus radiatus), Red-tailed Racer (Gonyosoma oxycephalum), Laotian Wolf Snake (Lycodon laoensis), Bridle Snake (Lycodon davisonii), Common Wolf Snake (Lycodon capucinus), Indochinese Wolf Snake (Lycodon neomaculatus), Günther’s Kukri Snake (Oligodon cinereus), Deveu’s Kukri Snake (Oligodon deveui), Banded Kukri Snake (Oligodon fasciatus), Saint Girons’ Kukri Snake (Oligodon saintgironsi), Striped Kukri Snake (Oligodon taeniatus), Indochinese Rat Snake (Ptyas korros), Oriental Rat Snake (Ptyas mucosa), Buff-striped Keelback (Amphiesma stolatum), Yellow-spotted Keelback (Fowlea flavipunctata), Siamese Red-necked Keelback (Rhabdophis siamensis), Common Mock Viper (Psammodynastes pulverulentus)
Homalopsids (Homalopsidae):
Rainbow Mud Snake (Enhydris enhydris), Bocourt’s Mud Snake (Subsessor bocourti), Rice Paddy Snake (Hypsiscopus plumbeus)
Pythons (Pythonidae):
Burmese Python (Python bivittatus), Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus)
Slug Snakes (Pareidae):
Berdmore’s Slug Snake (Pareas berdmorei), Mountain Slug Snake (Pareas margaritophorus), Di Linh Slug Snake (Pareas temporalis)
Sunbeam Snakes (Xenopeltidae):
Sunbeam Snake (Xenopeltis unicolor)
Geckos, Lizards & Crocodiles:
Monitors (Varanidae):
Clouded Monitor (Varanus nebulosus), Common Water Monitor (Varanus salvator)
Agamids (Agamidae):
Green Pricklenape (Acanthosaura capra), Crowned Pricklenape (Acanthosaura coronata), Vietnamese Blue Crested Lizard (Calotes bachae), Oriental Garden Lizard (Calotes versicolor)
Geckos (Gekkonidae):
Cattien Bent-toed Gecko (Cyrtodactylus cattienensis), Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko), Stump-toed Gecko (Gehyra mutilata), Common House Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus), Flat-tailed House Gecko (Hemidactylus platyurus), Slender Gecko (Hemiphyllodactylus sp.)
Skinks (Scincidae):
Vietnam Agile Skink (Subdoluses vietnamensis), Bowring’s Supple Skink (Subdoluses bowringii), Siamese Supple Skink (Lygosoma siamensis), Spotted Forest Skink (Sphenomorphus maculatus), Common Sun Skink (Eutropis multifasciata), Grass Sun Skink (Eutropis macularia), Ground Skink (Scincella sp.)
Lacertids (Lacertidae)
Asian Grass Lizard (Takydromus sexlineatus)
Crocodilians (Crocodylidae):
Siamese Crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis)
Amphibians:
Narrow-mouth Frogs (Microhylidae):
South Vietnamese Painted Frog (Kaloula discordia), Painted Frog (Kaloula pulchra), Striped Sticky Frog (Kalophrynus interlineatus), Burmese Squat Frog (Glyphoglossus guttulatus), Ma Da Paddy Frog (Micryletta erythropoda), Malcolm Narrow-mouth Frog (Microhyla malcomi), Ninh Thuan Narrow-mouth Frog (Microhyla ninhthuanensis), Butler’s Narrow-mouth Frog (Microhyla butleri), Mukhlesur Narrow-mouth Frog (Microhyla mukhlesuri)
Tree Frogs & Bush Frogs (Rhacophoridae):
Vietnamese Moss Frog (Theloderma vietnamense), Bamboo Moss Frog (Theloderma leprosa), Annam Tree Frog (Rhacophorus annamensis), Robert Inger’s Tree Frog (Rhacophorus robertingeri), Nong Khor Bush Frog (Chirixalus nongkhorensis), Hansen’s Bush Frog (Feihyla cf. hansenae), Spotted-leg Tree Frog (Polypedates cf. megacephalus)
Fork-tongued Frogs (Dicroglossidae):
Annam Wart Frog (Limnonectes dabanus), Paddy Field Frog (Fejervarya limnocharis), East Asian Bullfrog (Hoplobatrachus chinensis)
True Frogs (Ranidae):
Green Odorous Frog (Odorrana cf. chloronota), Green Grass Frog (Hylarana erythraea), Stream Frog (Sylvirana sp.)
Caecilians (Ichthyophiidae):
Cat Loc Caecilian (Ichthyophis catlocensis), Nguyen’s Caecilian (Ichthyophis nguyenorum)
Turtles & Tortoises:
Giant Asian Pond Turtle (Heosemys grandis), Elongated Tortoise (Indotestudo elongata), Sunda Box Turtle (Cuora coura), Mekong Snail-eating Turtle (Malayemys subtrijuga), Malayan Snail-eating Turtle (Malayemys macrocephala), Impressed Tortoise (Manouria impressa), Yellow-headed Temple Turtle (Heosemys annandalii), Vietnamese Leaf Turtle (Cyclemys pulchristriata)
Other Wildlife Highlights
It’s no secret that where herping is spectacular, other wildlife experiences often follow, and Cát Tiên National Park is no exception. While the park is well known for its herps, it’s perhaps most famous for its birding & mammal watching opportunities. From butterfly spotting, spiders, to rare orchids and tropical invertebrates, the park offers outstanding and diverse encounters. The entire Next Continent team is trained across all major wildlife groups, so whether you want to add a bit of birding, track down a Mainland Leopard Cat, or search for rare tropical moths during your herping-focused tour, we’re ready to help.
If you want to learn more, visit our Cat Tien Wildlife Tours page, or get in touch with our team directly.
Tour Pace
Conditions in Cat Tien are generally easy, though after several long days in the field (both during the day and at night), they can begin to feel moderate to challenging. The park features a network of relatively well-maintained trails and roads, making walking and biking straightforward. However, being in a tropical climate, it can get very hot and humid, and certain times of year may bring river flooding and other weather-related challenges. Throughout your tour, we’ll adapt to the best locations based on your pace, comfort, and target species.
Group Size
Private tours for individuals or small groups with options for larger groups available upon request.
Climate & Weather Conditions
Hot and humid year-round. Mornings can be misty, especially during the wet season. Heavy rain is common from May to October, while the dry season from November to April brings clearer skies and more comfortable field conditions.
Tour Inclusions
- Private guide specialising in herping & other wildlife
- Private vehicle transfer to and from the park
- Accommodation throughout the tour
- All specialist equipment
- All necessary entrance tickets and permits
- All meals can be included (optional)
- Non-alcoholic beverages throughout the day
- Water bottles
- Comprehensive insurance coverage
- First aid and a COVID-safe environment
Photography Opportunites & Notes
Cat Tien is one of Vietnam’s premier destinations for herping and macro photography. The park’s mix of lowland forest, wetlands, and riverside habitats supports a diversity of excellent opportunities to photograph target species in their natural environments.
Specialist and professional photographers should come prepared for a range of field conditions. We recommend a dedicated macro lens (90–105mm is ideal for flexibility), with an external flash and diffuser setup for consistent, detailed lighting in dim forest understory and night conditions. A Godox V350 or TT350 paired with a softbox-style diffuser or homemade card/foam diffuser works well for most subjects. For more complex lighting, twin-flash systems or ring flashes with custom diffusion can help illuminate subjects evenly without harsh hotspots.
For snake and herp photography, a longer focal length macro lens (such as 150mm or even 180mm) can be beneficial for keeping a safe and respectful distance. Some photographers also favour a 70–200mm telephoto zoom with extension tubes for added versatility. A small, sturdy tripod or monopod can help with stability during low-light work, though many opt to shoot handheld using flash.
To make the most of your time in the field, we recommend contacting the Next Continent team in advance to discuss your herping and macro goals. We can advise on the most suitable gear, provide local expertise, and even help with logistics for photographing specific target species.
Discover More in Southern Vietnam
If this tour caught your eye, you might also enjoy some of our other highlight herping experiences, each with its own unique focus and highlights. Below are some of our most popular and recommended options, perfect for discovering more of what this region 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.
Escape the bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and head into the reptile-rich foothills of Nui Dinh on this 1-night herping adventure. Just 1.5 hours from the city, this compact yet diverse hotspot offers a unique blend of Indochinese and Sundaic herpetofauna. With over 20 snake species recorded and a supporting cast of frogs, geckos, and skinks, Dinh Mountain is the ideal short escape for serious field herpers, macro photographers, or curious naturalists.
Even in Vietnam’s biggest city, there are some great herping opportunities. This evening tour takes you through patches of solid urban habitat across Ho Chi Minh City to target a serious variety of both common and unexpected urban species. Check out White-lipped Pit Viper, Golden Tree Snake, Tokay Gecko, Indochinese Long-nosed Whipsnake, Rat Snakes, frogs and more. Built for travelling herpers looking to make the most of a layover or last night in town.
Di Linh & Bao Lam: 2-Night Herping Tour
This 2-night tour covers two of southern Vietnam’s most productive mid-elevation herping sites: Di Linh and Bao Lam. With a strong mix of snakes, frogs, and lizards, including a number of endemics and range-restricted species, these areas are ideal for short, high-output herping runs. Works hard on forest trails, roadside cuts, and extensive nocturnal work in varied habitats, guided by experts with local knowledge. Designed for serious herpers looking for quality species in a limited timeframe.
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
