Esc-ape to Cat Tien National Park
Bite-sized trip
Day 1 – Arrival in Cat Tien National Park
Today you’ll arrive at Cat Tien National Park, a UNESCO biosphere reserve rich in wildlife and the perfect place to escape the buzz of the city. Cat Tien consists largely of dense tropical rainforest and is perfect for jungle treks and outdoor adventure. Your jungle lodge accommodation will be right next to the park and comes fully equipped with a refreshing outdoor pool to cool off in.
After check-in, you’ll head out with your guide and take a boat to Monkey Island. Here you can see golden-cheeked gibbons and learn all about the incredible work being undertaken to rescue, rehabilitate and release these beautiful animals. You can spend as long as you like here, just let your guide know. Upon your return, you’ll settle down for an al fresco dinner and watch the sunset.
Day 2 – Crocodile Lake trek
After breakfast, you’ll head back in to the park with your guide and embark on an adventurous trek to Crocodile Lake – a large lagoon deep in the heart of the park and home to hundreds of crocs! First up is a 10km pick-up truck ride through swampland before completing the last 5km by foot along a raised walkway. You will witness a huge variety of jungle flora and fauna so don’t forget the binoculars!
After your morning exertions, you’ll return to HQ for lunch before paying a visit to the Bear and Wild Cat Rescue Station. The centre hosts and protects rescued bears from the wildlife trade, as well as other endangered animals such as an Asian leopard, crocodiles, gibbons, and langur. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you like – you may wish to take bicycles out, go kayaking, or simply relax with a good book by the river.
Day 3 – Departure from Cat Tien
Sadly it’s time to pack your bags and head back to Ho Chi Minh City, or wherever you’re off to next on your Vietnamese adventure. We’ll arrange a private transfer to pick you up, so you can just sit back and enjoy the scenery.
Accommodation
For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options
Try our shorter (and less strenous) trip
If you’re travelling to Cat Tien with younger children, or fancy a slightly lighter hike through the tropical rainforest, this can easily be arranged – simply ask your travel specialist for this 1 night trip instead. Rather than journeying out to Crocodile Lake, your guide will take you on a short, easier trek through the surrounding jungle to a giant Tung tree (approx. 2-4km). Along the way, you will witness many different animals, insects and tropical birds such as hornbills, barbets, parakeets, and babblers so don’t forget the binoculars!
Pre-dawn Gibbon trekking
If you fancy one last adventure before you depart, why not try spotting wild primates in their natural habitat! You will rise before dawn and head out in to the jungle, where you will relax in hammocks as you wait for the gibbons to start singing. Once their location has been established, your guide will lead you to where you can watch on from a safe distance as they feed, rest, and swing from the trees. Viewing is not guaranteed but the search can be just as enthralling!
