Da Nang After Dark: Owls & Nightjars Spotlighting Tour

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.

Details

Summary
— 3-4hr Spotlighting Tour
— Bookings Available Year-Round
— Departs from Da Nang or Hoi An
— Private tours for individuals or small groups with options for larger groups available upon request

Prices Starting From:
Single Person: $138 per person
Group of 2: $75 per person
Group of 3: $55 per person
Group of 4: $45 per person

Da Nang After Dark: Owls & Nightjars Spotlighting Tour

Code: DNSD03 | Categories: Birding, Spotlighting & Nocturnal Wildlife Tours | Locations: Da Nang / Hoi An

Summary:

Join us on an unforgettable after-dark adventure to discover the nocturnal wildlife of Da Nang! Perfect for birders, wildlife photographers, nature lovers and families, this tour offers the chance to encounter some of Vietnam’s rarely seen nocturnal species, specialising in owls and nightjars, but also nocturnal reptiles, amphibians, mammals, moths, and more.

Your evening begins with pick-up from your accommodation in Da Nang or Hoi A just before dusk. Please have dinner beforehand or bring along some snacks to enjoy during the outing. Each night is different, and we explore a variety of habitats including coastal dunes, grassy clearings, karst cliffs, and lowland forests. Our spotlighting tours are tailored to suit both your interests and local conditions. Whether you’re hoping to target specific species like the Indian Nightjar, Savanna Nightjar, Collared Scops Owl, or Eastern Barn Owl, or simply want to be amazed by whatever appears, we’ve got you covered. Birders and photographers with particular targets are encouraged to let us know in advance.

You’ll be accompanied by an experienced guide and equipped with red-light torches and headlamps for safe and respectful wildlife viewing. While flash photography is not permitted, photographers can work with our team to capture stunning, well-lit images using white light when appropriate (all images on this page were captured without flash).

As you travel in a comfortable modern vehicle, keep your eyes peeled for remarkable nocturnal creatures like the Asian Painted Frog, Spot-legged Tree Frog, Golden Tree Snake, White-lipped Pit Viper, Vietnamese Leaf Turtle, Pantropical Huntsman Spider, Tropical Swallowtail Moth, and maybe even the elusive Mainland Leopard Cat!

No two nights are the same, each outing brings its own surprises and special encounters. So come with a sense of curiosity and let us show you the wild side of Da Nang after dark!

Tour Pace

This easy and accessible tour is suitable for everyone, from children to older adults. It includes visits to several locations (each night is different!) all with minimal walking on flat, well-maintained paths.

Key Target Species & Other Wildlife Highlights

Regular Bird Targets:
Indian Nightjar, Savanna Nightjar, Collared Scops Owl, Eastern Barn Owl

Sometimes Encountered:
Large-tailed Nightjar, Brown Boobook, Oriental Scops Owl (passage migrant)

Reptiles:
Asian House Gecko, Flat-tailed House Gecko, Common Four-clawed Gecko, Chinese Water Dragon, Vietnamese Leaf Turtle, Common Thread Turtle, Golden Tree Snake, Indo-Chinese Rat Snake, Siamese Red-necked Keelback, Oriental Whipsnake, White-lipped Pit Viper, Vogel’s Pit Viper

Frogs:
Asian Common Toad, Ophryophryne hansi, Guenther’s Frog, Papurana attigua, East Asian Bullfrog, Paddy Field Frog, Spot-legged Tree Frog, Round-tongued Floating Frog, Asian Painted Frog, Microhyla picta

Mammals:
Mainland Leopard Cat, Oriental House Rat, Black-beared Tomb Bat,

Moths:
Orvasca subnotata, Brown Tussock Moth, Rose Myrtle Lappet Moth, Chiasmia emersaria, Crotalaria Pod Borer, Green Fruit-piercing Moth, Common Owl Moth, Tropical Swallowtail Moth, Common Hunter Hawkmoth, Brown-Banded Hunter Hawkmoth, Yam Hawkmoth, Greater Death’s Head Hawkmoth

Group Size

Private tours for individuals or small groups with options for larger groups available upon request

Tour Inclusions

Private guide specialising in birds, wildlife and natural history
Dedicated driver for convenience
Red-light Torches & Headlamps
Pickup and drop-off from your accommodation
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

Excellent wildlife photography opportunities are available, both for serious camera users and sometimes even those equipped with smartphones. For those aiming to photograph nocturnal birds, we recommend a telephoto lens of 300mm or more. In low-light conditions, a shorter-range lens (250–400mm) can sometimes perform better, especially with faster apertures.

For guests interested in photographing reptiles, amphibians, and insects, a standard macro lens is ideal. If you’re unsure what to bring or want tailored advice based on your gear, feel free to contact our expert team — we’re happy to help you prepare for the best possible shots.

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.

Red-shanked Douc Langur Safari: Adventure in Son Tra

Discover the vibrant world of the Red-shanked Douc Langur on a guided journey through the Son Tra Peninsula, home to one of the last strongholds of this critically endangered and strikingly beautiful primate. Travel winding coastal roads, explore hidden jungle gullies, and enjoy opportunities to observe and photograph these charismatic monkeys in their natural habitat. Whether you prefer the ease of a comfortable vehicle or the thrill of riding by motorbike, this tour offers a unique chance to connect with one of Vietnam’s natural icons.

Hoi An Birding Cruise

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.

Da Nang Birding Tours

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

My family and I were so thrilled to successfully see a pair of Collared Scops Owl! We stopped at two places on the way and were a little worried that while we had heard them twice, none had given us any views. Then at the next stop, we got a pair calling in a tree only about 10 metres away. It was magical! Tien was an amazing guide, she’s the best of the best! The Savanna Nightjar was a nice bonus bird and the kids love the pit vipers near Son Tra.

Thanks Thanh and the team, this was a really rewarding birding night and above my expectations. Indian Nightjar encounter was out of this world, big thanks again!