Date: November 2025
Time: Half Day Tour (6:30am-11:30am)
Guide(s): Tiên Nguyễn
What Tour: Red-shanked Douc Langur Safari: Adventure in Son Tra
Guide’s Notes:

• Despite persistent November rainfall across Đà Nẵng and Son Tra, with conditions stable enough for exploration, we set off for a half-day safari combining birdwatching and mammal observation, perfect for Andrew, an experienced birder and all-around wildlife enthusiast. The cool, misty weather favored mammal activity, particularly the endangered Red-shanked Douc Langur. Recent heavy rains had raised concerns of possible landslides, but Son Tra Management Board had promptly blocked off high-risk areas to ensure visitor safety, reopening routes only after careful assessment.
• Wildlife Highlights:
  • • Mammals: Red-shanked Douc Langur, Rhesus Macaque.
    • Birds: Chinese Pond-Heron, White-throated Kingfisher, Verditer Flycatcher, Daurian Redstart, Blue Rock-Thrush, Ornate Sunbird, Gray Wagtail, Green-billed Malkoha,  Racket-tailed Treepie, Stripe-throated Bulbul, Indochinese Blue Flycatcher, Rufous-tailed Robin and Taiga Flycatcher.
    • Insects: Great Mormon Swallowtail (Papilio memnon), Crisp-banded Hummingbird Hawkmoth (Macroglossum sitiene).
• Weather Conditions: Light drizzling rain throughout the morning with occasional clear gaps; cool and humid.

Detailed Tour Report:

Son Tra Peninsula is a mosaic of evergreen forest, fruiting fig trees, flowering shrubs, low scrublands, and freshwater streams. These varied habitats remained vibrant despite the weather, and wildlife appeared active from the moment we began our walk.

Rhesus Macaque were the first to greet us with several individuals moving confidently across the roadside vegetation and interacting in the lower branches. We also watched some beautiful interactions with a mother play and cuddling up with her baby. Bird activity was equally lively. We first encountered a White-throated Kingfisher perched prominently on a bridge near a stream, followed by a female Verditer Flycatcher perching quietly on the electric wires. Nearby, Stripe-throated Bulbul moved through the mid-storey, while a Pin-striped Tit-babbler fed actively in the understory.

While our driver pointed out an Ornate Sunbird and Asian Brown Flycatcher, our guide located what would become the highlight of the morning, a large troop of approximately ten Red-shanked Douc Langur feeding on tender leaves of a fig tree not far from the road. The troop included adults and juveniles, all displaying their iconic maroon legs, golden faces, and contrasting black forelimbs. Although the rain made photography challenging, we assisted Andrew and his friend in finding better vantage points while ensuring we kept a respectful distance so the langurs remained undisturbed. 

After around an hour and a half of observing the troop, we continued on our way exploring the peninsula. The drizzle eased and Son Tra revealed beautiful views – mist rising from the forest canopy, Da Nang City shimmering below, and the coastline glowing soft grey under the shifting sky.

Descending toward the East side of the slope, we encountered a second troop of five Red-shanked Douc Langur, this time feeding on the foliage of an Elephant Creeper (Argyreia nervosa). We were all amazed by the scene: the langurs calmly eating leaves with the skyline of Da Nang behind them. It was a glimpse into what responsible conservation can achieve. It was a scene of harmony, forest and city breathing together!

Chinese Pond Heron were especially abundant throughout this section. Several individuals stood motionless on the roadside, causing us to slow the vehicle multiple times as they stared directly into the oncoming car before fluttering away at the last second.

Late in the morning, the rain paused long enough for us to explore Linh Ứng Pagoda. Here, we shared insights into Vietnamese Buddhism, the origins of the pagoda, and the symbolic importance of the Lady Buddha statue overlooking Da Nang Bay.

Birdlife was surprisingly active within the area. We recorded Indochinese Blue Flycatcher (two males and one female), a Rufous-tailed Robin hopping quietly along shaded paths while constantly flickering its tail up and down, a single Taiga Flycatcher, a Blue Rock Thrush perched secretly on a tree and two Racket-tailed Treepie gliding through the tall trees. Ornate Sunbird echoed through the courtyard while a Green-billed Malkoha slipped through dense foliage. The improved weather allowed for relaxed birdwatching, landscape photography, and a peaceful walk through the pagoda grounds surrounded by birdsong.

Despite the drizzling conditions, the morning was exceptionally rewarding. Andrew and his friend expressed their delight at having chosen to explore Son Tra instead of staying indoors. They experienced multiple langur encounters, an abundance of birdlife, striking views, and a close look at the peninsula’s rich biodiversity. The cool mist, the lush wet forest, and the presence of endangered wildlife created a memorable half-day adventure on Son Tra Peninsula.

If this report inspires you to experience Son Tra’s wildlife for yourself, we would be thrilled to welcome you on our Red-shanked Douc Langur Safari or any of our nature-based tours.

For inquiries or custom wildlife itineraries, please contact us – our team is here to help you plan an unforgettable adventure in Central Vietnam.