Cat Tien National Park Travel Essentials
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Ideal duration: 1-2 Days
Best Time: December to May Read More
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"Nature and Adventure Meet"
Cat Tien National Park Tourism
Cat Tien National Park is located in the Southern region of Vietnam, approximately 155 kilometres away from Ho Chi Minh City. This forest reserve covers around 720 sq.km. of the few surviving tropical low-lying woodlands of Vietnam. The national park is home to exquisite flora and fauna such as the golden-cheeked gibbon and many types of tropical birds.
Cat Tien is also a popular weekend destination for locals due to its proximity and connectivity to Ho Chi Minh City. Do take a look at the website of the park and book your stay, activities, and safaris in advance if possible. This is also because the park only allows a certain number of visitors at a time.
Cat Tien National Park has two segments, namely Cat Loc to the north side and Nam Cat Tien towards the eastern half, which is often visited and contains the Park headquarters. The Park is located in three provinces: Dong Nai, Lam Dong and Binh Phuoc.
It was protected initially in 1978 as two sectors: Nam Cat Tien and Tay Cat Tien. One more sector, Cat Loc, was gazetted as a rhinoceros reserve in 1992 when there was a discovery of a population of the Vietnamese Javan rhinoceros. The park is quite famous for the scope of adventure activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and trekking.
The entry to the park is at a flat rate of VND 60,000, however, this is only a base charge and all the other services have to be paid for separately, the rates for these are displayed on the park's official website. These can be booked directly from there itself.
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Entrance Fees and Permits
- An entrance ticket to the park can be availed at the visitor’s centre and typically costs VND 60,000.
- However, be aware that this only covers the entrance to the park and almost every activity within the park incurs additional charges.
- The extra activities can be booked on the Cat Tien National Park's official website.
- Visitors can elect to explore the park by themselves free of charge, using the aid of a trail map, or can choose to pay extra for the services of a guide.
Places to Visit in the National Park
Dao Tien Endangered Primate Species Centre
The centre is situated on Dao Tien Island. It’s 5 min up-stream by boat from the landing near Park Headquarters (boats depart at 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.).It is known for the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of endangered primates, all victims of illegal wildlife trade, and the animals found in the region. Such animals include golden-cheeked gibbons, black-shanked douc, silvered langur, and pygmy loris.
Cat Tien Bear Rescue Centre
This conservation centre accommodates Sun bears and Asian black bears which have been rescued from the cruel and illegal trade. In the morning, black bears can be seen from a viewing platform, but by early afternoon they prefer to return to their cages for shelter. There are also crocodiles, peafowls, and a few gibbons to see in this area, adjacent to the Park Headquarters.
Bau Sau Lake
Also known as the crocodile lake, this lake is located slightly towards the interior of the park and is home to more than 200 crocodiles. Reachable both by cycle and through a trek, the lake is well-suited for wildlife enthusiasts. The 5km trek takes about 3 hours while a bicycle ride takes a longer route but shorter time.
History of the National Park
Best Time to Visit Cat Tien National Park
Nearby Places
How to Reach Cat Tien National Park
How to Reach Overview
- Located nearly 150 km away from HCMC, the recently renovated highway leading out of the capital to Cat Tien National Park enables road travel from Ho Chi Minh is as little as 3 Hours.
- A river separates Cat Tien National Park from the nearest village, Tan Phu, and ferries must be boarded to complete this final leg of the journey into the park itself.
- An alternative travel arrangement can also be made through buses that ply between Ho Chi Minh City to Cat Tien National Park, following the same route as cars. The journey usually takes 5 hours, allowing some time for a rest-stop.
- Renting taxis or hired cars to take you from Dalat or Ho Chi Minh City is advisable for people travelling in groups of two or more as it works out cheaper most of the time and is the most convenient way to get to Cat Tien National Park.
Local transport in Cat Tien National Park
- The Cat Tien National Park is mainly popular for the walking trails that it offers in addition to cycling trails of varying difficulty levels.
- Following the map as a rough guide is alright, however, some trails that have been marked as medium difficulty are actually quite treacherous to traverse alone.
- According to some recent regulations, getting your own bike into the park is not allowed. You can rent one at the park itself for about 30,000 VND.
- Crocodile Lake or Bau Sau Lake can be trekked or hiked to alone. However, having a guide may encourage wildlife sightings.
- One of the most common threats in the National Park is leeches, Anti-Leech socks are available at the reception of the national park.
- Keep your GPS trackers handy as the trails within the park are quite confusing.
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FAQs on Cat Tien National Park
What is famous about Cat tien national park?
- Numerous walking trails
- Adventure Biking Options
- High Possibility of Spotting Wildlife
What is not so good about Cat tien national park?
- Lack of clearly marked trails
- Language barrier
- Absence of clear regulations
Who should visit Cat tien national park?
Adventure buffs
What is the best time to visit Cat tien national park?
Visting the National Park is best avoided in the Monsoon months between June and November as the growing water levels and incessant rains can make the area a little slushy and difficult to explore on foot. Visiting in the months of December to May provides a welcome respite from the heat and wetness with temperatures dropping to a more comfortable and cooler range.
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What is the best way to reach Cat tien national park?
- Located nearly 150 km away from HCMC, the recently renovated highway leading out of the capital to Cat Tien National Park enables road travel from Ho Chi Minh is as little as 3 Hours.
- A river separates Cat Tien National Park from the nearest village, Tan Phu, and ferries must be boarded to complete this final leg of the journey into the park itself.
- An alternative travel arrangement can also be made through buses that ply between Ho Chi Minh City to Cat Tien National Park, following the same route as cars. The journey usually takes 5 hours, allowing some time for a rest-stop.
- Renting taxis or hired cars to take you from Dalat or Ho Chi Minh City is advisable for people travelling in groups of two or more as it works out cheaper most of the time and is the most convenient way to get to Cat Tien National Park.
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