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With its lush greenery and numerous fascinating attractions, Cat Tien National Park promises to offer you the most enjoyable and memorable experiences. To help you have a safe and convenient trip to Nam Cat Tien jungle, we'd like to share some independent travel tips through the following article!
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A few 'notes' for jungle trekking in Nam Cat Tien
Nam Cat Tien National Park Address
Weekend Adventure in Nam Cat Tien Jungle (Photo by ST)
Nam Cat Tien Jungle is located in 6 districts: Tan Phu, , Cat Tien, Bao Loc (Lam Dong), Vinh Cuu (Dong Nai), and Bu Dang (Binh Phuoc). Situated about 150 km north of Ho Chi Minh City, it takes approximately 4 hours by car to reach here. The distinctive feature of Nam Cat Tien National Park is its lowland tropical moist forest with a diverse and abundant vegetation cover.
Trail through Nam Cat Tien Jungle (Photo by ST)
For nature lovers and adventurous travelers, don't hesitate to visit Nam Cat Tien to experience new sensations.
Directions to Nam Cat Tien
Currently, there are two main transportation options to get to Nam Cat Tien: passenger buses and self-driving motorcycles.
Traveling by Bus
Traveling by Passenger Bus (Photo by ST)
Kim Hoan Bus Company currently operates routes from Mien Dong Bus Station to Nam Cat Tien. You can contact them at (061) 379.1133 – 360.5233 or book tickets in Saigon:
- Morning trips: 0984.693.172 – 0984.693.875 – 0918.327.578.
- Afternoon trips: 0917.853.383 – 0913.873.557 – 0979.309.283.
In addition, you can also go to ticket booth number 5 to inquire about purchasing Kim Hoan bus tickets to Nam Cat Tien at Mien Dong Bus Station.
Traveling by Motorbike
Traveling by Motorbike (Photo by ST)
From Saigon, you'll take National Highway 1A to Dau Giay Intersection, approximately 67km. Then, turn left onto National Highway 20 for about 58km until you reach Ta Lai Intersection, also known as kilometer 125. From this intersection, continue left and go about 24km further to reach Cat Tien National Park.
Note: When asking for directions, be sure to specify Cat Tien National Park as the destination. There's a location in Lam Dong province also named Cat Tien, so it's easy to confuse the two.
Best Time to Travel
Visiting Nam Cat Tien Forest in the Dry Season is Ideal (Photo by ST)
If you're planning a trip to Nam Cat Tien Forest but unsure about the timing, we recommend visiting between December and May. During this period, there is less rain, making the forest dry and ideal for convenient travel and exploring the wilderness. If you're traveling during other months, be sure to check the weather forecast before your trip.
Cycling to Explore the Scenery in Nam Cat Tien Forest (Photo by ST)
What's in Nam Cat Tien Forest?
1. Explore Crocodile Lake
Exploring Crocodile Lake in Nam Cat Tien Forest (Photo by ST)
Crocodile Lake is the most famous tourist destination in Nam Cat Tien Forest, leaving everyone who visits with fond memories. To reach this place, you'll need to rent a vehicle for about 10km and then walk an additional 5km. Due to the long trek, make sure to prepare physically and bring enough water for breaks.
Exploring Nam Cat Tien Forest scene of crocodiles hunting prey (Photo by ST)
Visitors here will witness firsthand how crocodiles hunt and live underwater, truly fascinating and enticing. We recommend staying overnight at Crocodile Lake, enjoying the local delicacies while rejuvenating for the 5km trek back to the parking lot.
2. Explore Fairy Island – Bear Rescue Station
Exploring Fairy Island (Photo by ST)
Many people think that Fairy Island is an island situated in the middle of the water. However, in reality, it's just a forest area surrounded by protective fences. With an area of up to 57 hectares, Fairy Island is a place for conserving rare animal species. Moreover, there's also a pristine forest system waiting for you to explore.
Exploring the Bear Rescue Station (Photo by ST)
Meanwhile, the Bear Rescue Station is where children particularly enjoy visiting in Nam Cat Tien National Park. It's the home of bears that have been injured or encountered accidents, brought here for care and treatment. Due to the attentive care they receive, the bears at the rescue station are quite lively and friendly.
3. Discover the Nightlife of Wild Animals
Nightlife of Animals (Photo by ST)
One of the activities chosen by many tourists coming here is to explore the nighttime life of the animal kingdom. You'll get to witness firsthand the various hunting and activities of the animals here, which will surely fascinate you.
Deer in the Night (Photo by ST)
If you want to participate in this activity, contact the management of Nam Cat Tien Forest Resort to buy tickets, rent vehicles, and hire guides at a price of about 170k/person. Note that you should not open the car door on your own to ensure safety. If you're traveling alone, you can invite someone else to join you!
4. Exploring Ethnic Minority Beauty at Ta Lai Tourism Area
Ta Lai Tourism Area (Photo by ST)
Visiting Ta Lai tourism area, tourists will have the opportunity to learn about and experience the lives of Vietnam's ethnic minorities. Enjoying the rustic dishes made by the hands of the local ethnic people here.
Many young people have chosen to rent bicycles to travel to Ta Lai instead of taking cars. By cycling, you will fully experience the natural beauty in Nam Cat Tien National Park. Moreover, you can stop to capture some stunning photographs.
Specialties of Nam Cat Tien Forest
Specialty dish: Water lily soup (Photo by ST)
– Water Lily Soup: Water lily, also known as pondweed, is one of the delicious dishes you should try when visiting Nam Cat Tien. This soup is both sweet and refreshing, made with both the stem and flower of the water lily. If you've never tasted this soup before, you must give it a try.
– River Fish and Forest Vegetable Hotpot: Here, there are unique sources of river fish and forest vegetables, making the hotpot here extremely delicious and unique. The weather in the forest is always cool, so having hotpot here is nothing short of wonderful.
Savoring Forest Tilapia at Nam Cat Tien (Photo by ST)
– Forest Tilapia, Snakehead Fish: In Nam Cat Tien National Park, there are plenty of these two types of fish, so if you want to eat them, the restaurants here will always be ready to serve you.
Resting at Nam Cat Tien National Park
For those who enjoy backpacking and have a limited budget, you can choose to bring a tent and camp in the forest, which will surely be very exciting. If you are looking for a high-quality hotel or resort to stay overnight, consider the following addresses.
Camping in Nam Cat Tien Forest (Photo by ST)
– Green Hope Lodge: Room rates range from 7 USD to 40 USD per night
– Cat Tien Forest Call Lodge: Room rates range from 4 USD to 34 USD per night
– Cat Tien Jungle Lodge: Room rental prices are quite high, ranging from 82 USD to 225 USD per night
– River Lodge: Room rates range from 7 USD to 36 USD per night
– Green Bamboo Lodge Resort: Room rental prices range from 4 USD to 55 USD per night
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