Cat Tien 5-Day Ultimate Wildlife Tour
This is our ultimate Cat Tien wildlife experience, a 5-day expedition designed to encounter everything this world-renowned national park has to offer, from pittas and hornbills to civets, primates, pit vipers, tortoises, butterflies and more. Combining expert-led birding, mammal watching, and herping into a single comprehensive tour, this trip delivers unparalleled access to one of Southeast Asia’s most biodiverse lowland forests. Extensive spotlighting + thermal imaging, day treks, jeep safaris, jungle river cruises, and moth sheets ensure an exceptional mix of biodiversity and spectacular wildlife encounters. Perfect for serious wildlife watchers, photographers, and anyone seeking Vietnam’s most complete natural history adventure.
Details
Summary:
— 5-Day / 4-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: $1,710 per person
Group of 2: $970 per person
Group of 3: $810 per person
Group of 4: $662 per person
Cat Tien 5-Day Ultimate Wildlife Tour
Code: CTMD02 | Categories: Birding, Mammal Watching & Primate Tours, Herping | Locations: Cat Tien National Park, Ho Chi Minh City
Summary:
Explore every corner of Cat Tien National Park on this private 5-Day / 4-Night expedition, the most immersive wildlife experience available in one of Vietnam’s richest biodiversity hotspots. Designed for passionate wildlife watchers and photographers, this all-encompassing itinerary takes you deep into lowland evergreen forest, wetlands, expansive grasslands and riverine jungle in search of iconic species from all branches of life.
This tour is all about experiencing the national park and its inhabitants as a whole, taking in the birds, mammals, herps, and other wildlife together. You’ll watch Southern Yellow-cheeked Gibbon sing and swing from the canopy whilst Oriental Pied Hornbill feed in fig trees and Vietnamese Blue Crested Lizard scamper up the trunks. On safari, watch Clouded Monitor shuffle across the road, Green Peafowl display their magnificent tails, whilst Gaur, Northern Red Muntjac and maybe even Asian Elephant watch from the grassland edge.
Every day and night explores a different part of the park, from riverbanks and grasslands to dense forest and upland trails, ensuring a complete and immersive experience across the parks varied habitats. The itinerary includes forest treks, boat cruises, night walks, and jeep safaris, with each session targeting different groups of species. Spotlighting takes place most evenings, ranging from dedicated owl/nightjar nights to herping walks and broader mammal-focused sessions. Thermal and UV equipment are used to detect rare and nocturnal wildlife, giving you the best possible chance of close encounters with Cát Tiên’s more elusive inhabitants.
From endangered primates like Pygmy Slow Loris and Black-shanked Douc Langur, to a diverse cast of civets, wild cats, flying squirrels, bats, and ungulates, mammal and primate watching opportunities are nothing short of world-class. Reptile and amphibian diversity is a particular highlight, with high encounter rates for pit vipers, cobras, tree snakes, and forest-dwelling frogs, including regional endemics like the Cát Tiên Bent-toed Gecko and Vietnamese Moss Frog. Over 350 bird species have been recorded here, with major targets including Germain’s Peacock-Pheasant, Orange-necked Partridge, Blue-rumped and Bar-bellied Pittas, Wreathed Hornbill, Banded Kingfisher and Great Eared Nightjar.
The tour starts and ends in Ho Chi Minh City, with transfers included. Meals are left flexible to suit your pace and preferences. Extra days or linked itineraries are available on request, with many linking directly with our Mekong Delta, Da Lat or Da Nang based experiences.
Whether you’re chasing a species list, building your photo library, or simply seeking to immerse yourself in the rich biodiversity of Vietnam’s premier lowland forest, this is the ultimate way to experience the full spectrum of Cát Tiên National Park.
Itinerary
While we follow a general structure, no two tours are the same. Each day’s locations and trails are tailored to your target species, photography goals, and local conditions. This flexible, guest-focused approach consistently delivers better results, higher species counts, and a more enjoyable experience overall.
Day 1
You’ll be met in Ho Chi Minh City (or Da Lat) for your transfer to Cát Tiên National Park. Your guide will take care of park entry, ferry crossing, and check-in. After settling in, we head out for an afternoon walk through nearby habitats, focusing on diurnal reptiles, birds, and mammals. We’ll also visit known bat roosts and check key primate rest areas for late-afternoon activity. After dinner, we embark on our first night spotlighting session, a generalist sweep for owls, nightjars, civets, frogs, snakes and other nocturnal life.
Day 2
We begin at dawn with the haunting calls and active feeding of Southern Yellow-cheeked Gibbons high in the canopy. From there, we explore deeper into the park, both by jeep and on foot, visiting old-growth forest, bamboo forest, and vine thickets. The afternoon brings us into open forest, grassland edges, and riparian zones, often at peak activity for larger mammals. Tonight’s spotlighting focuses on amphibians and reptiles, with extended forest and stream walking using UV and thermal gear to help track down elusive species.
Day 3
Today we make an early start for the Bàu Sấu Trail, spending the day in one of the park’s most expansive and remote regions: Crocodile Lake. While searching for Siamese Crocodile, we also target specialties like the Annamese Langur, Black-shanked Douc Langur, Wreathed Hornbill, and a suite of wetland species including jacanas, storks, bitterns, and more. After returning for a short rest, we set up a moth sheet post-dinner to explore the park’s often-overlooked nocturnal invertebrate diversity.
Day 4
Our penultimate day starts with a targeted forest mission for any key birds we’ve missed (such as Germain’s Peacock-Pheasant, Siamese Fireback, or Orange-breasted Trogon). Mid-morning takes us toward the rapids and bamboo groves, ideal for herps and select bird groups. The afternoon is more relaxed, focused on filling in gaps like squirrels, broadbills, bee-eaters, forest lizards, and pond turtles, often close to the headquarters. After dinner, we head out for our final spotlighting session, often venturing deep into forest towards Bàu Sấu, seeking Leopard Cat, flying squirrels, and rare herps found only in these remote zones.
Day 5
A final early morning session offers a last opportunity to photograph key species or search for anything still missing from your list. After breakfast and check-out, we begin the return journey to Ho Chi Minh City, Da Lat, or your next destination.
Target Species Summary
Cat Tien is home to a remarkable array of species and globally unique biodiversity, with extensive checklists and major highlights across all major wildlife groups. For more detailed summaries, we recommend visiting our dedicated pages on birding, mammal & primate watching, and herping tours. In the meantime, here are just a few standout highlights from each group:
Birds:
Orange-necked Partridge, Scaly-breasted Partridge, Green Peafowl, Siamese Fireback, Germain’s Peacock-Pheasant, Chinese Francolin, Cotton Pygmy Goose, Lesser Adjutant, Asian Woolly-necked Stork, Black Bittern, Bronze-winged Jacana, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Lesser Fish Eagle, Shikra, Collared Falconet, Spot-bellied Eagle Owl, Brown Fish Owl, Blyth’s Frogmouth, Great Eared Nightjar, Brown Boobook, Silver-backed Needletail, Violet Cuckoo, Banded Kingfisher, Black-backed Dwarf Kingfisher, Great Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, Red-vented Barbet, White-browed Piculet, Heart-spotted Woodpecker, White-bellied Woodpecker, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Indochinese Roller, Asian Fairy Bluebird, Black-and-red Broadbill, Dusky Broadbill, Blue-winged Pitta, Bar-bellied Pitta, Blue-rumped Pitta, Blyth’s Paradise Flycatcher, Orange-breasted Trogon, Rufescent Prinia, Pale-legged Leaf Warbler, Chestnut-capped Babbler, Grey-faced Tit Babbler, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Golden-crested Myna, Ruby-cheeked Sunbird, Van Hasselt’s Sunbird, Purple-naped Spiderhunter, Forest Wagtail.
Mammals:
Southern Yellow-cheeked Gibbon, Black-shanked Douc Langur, Annamese Langur, Pygmy Slow Loris, Northern Pig-tailed Macaque, Long-tailed Macaque, Asian Elephant, Northern Red Muntjac, Lesser Oriental Chevrotain, Gaur, Asian Small-clawed Otter, Yellow-throated Marten, Large-toothed Ferret Badger, Southeast Asian Palm Civet, Small Indian Civet, Small-toothed Palm Civet, Mainland Leopard Cat, Sunda Pangolin, Black Giant Squirrel, Common Giant Flying Squirrel, Particoloured Flying Squirrel, Red-cheeked Flying Squirrel, Burmese Hare, Indomalayan Long-tailed Giant Rat, Greater Bandicoot Rat, East Asian Porcupine, Greater Short-nosed Fruit Bat, Grand Roundleaf Bat, Greater False Vampire Bat, Indochinese Horseshoe Bat, Woolly Horseshoe Bat.
Reptiles:
Asian Sunbeam Snake, Red Whip Snake, Red-tailed Racer, Jasper Cat Snake, Green Cat Snake, Laotian Wolf Snake, Bridle Snake, Gunther’s Kukri Snake, King Cobra, Monocled Cobra, Indo-Chinese Spitting Cobra, Banded Krait, Blue Krait, Burmese Python, Reticulated Python, Ruby-eyed Pit Viper, Water Snake, Siamese Crocodile, Clouded Monitor, Common Water Monitor, Chinese Water Dragon, Cattien Bent-toed Gecko, Crowned Pricklenape, Giant Asian Pond Turtle, Elongated Tortoise, Vietnamese Moss Frog, Nong Khor Bush Frog, Hansen’s Bush Frog, South Vietnamese Painted Frog, Annam Tree Frog, Cat Loc Caecilian, Nguyen’s Caecilian.
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 birds, mammals, herps and other wildlife of Cat Tien NP
- Private vehicle transfer to and from the park
- Accommodation throughout the tour
- All specialist equipment (thermal scope, spotlights, bat detectors, etc)
- 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 offers consistently rewarding photographic opportunities across a wide range of habitats. With a rich diversity of wildlife and generally accessible terrain, it’s a great destination for both casual and serious photographers. While conditions (and some tricky targets) can be moderately challenging in places, the park provides solid chances for capturing a variety of subjects all year round. To make the most of your time, we recommend discussing your specific goals with the Next Continent team in advance so we can tailor the experience to your interests.
Discover More in Southern Vietnam
If this tour caught your eye, you might also enjoy some of our other highlight wildlife 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.
Come and experience the lush evergreen forests and exceptional biodiversity of Vietnam’s world-renowned Bach Ma National Park, deep in the heart of the Annamite Range. We offer a diverse and exclusive range of both single-day and multi-day tours focused on birding, mammal and primate watching, herping, and natural history, ensuring there’s an experience for everyone
Primates of Central Vietnam: 7-Day Expedition
One of our most sought-after tours, this immersive journey showcases the very best of primate viewing in Central Vietnam. Beginning in Da Nang and ending in Dong Hoi, the all-inclusive itinerary offers the rare opportunity to encounter up to nine primate species, including four critically endangered ones. Traverse an incredible variety of landscapes, from the sweeping Annamite Mountains and jagged limestone karsts of Quảng Bình to the lush coastal forests near Da Nang. Perfect for both wildlife watchers and photographers.
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.
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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