Cat Tien National Park has been recognized by WWF as one of 200 global ecological zones including the land and its water area with its wellknown biological diversity. In 2001 the park was listed by UNESCO as the 411th Biosphere Reserve in the world. In 2005 the park was listed by Ramsar as one of the Wetlands of International Importance.
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Cat Tien National Park’s Attractions
We are selective and only feature meaningful and worthwhile attractions. If you don’t find what you are looking for below, please reach us for assistance.
Botanical Garden
It’s a series of paths through the jungle, very close to the riverside. The names of plants and trees are included on the boards. Very pleasant walk!
Bau Sau Lake
Most popular trekking route in Cat Tien. By bicycle or truck transfer to the trail head about 9 km from the HQ on the main park road. Then hike 5 km to reach the lake. You might see giant trees, rare peafowl, water birds, monkeys and of course Siamese crocodiles. From 2000 – 2005, 60 purebred Siamese freshwater crocodiles were reintroduced into Bau Sau Lake. Overnight stay at the Ranger Station gives opportunities to watch wildlife in the night and at dusk.
Giant Spung Tree
The venerable tung tree surpasses 400 years in age, towering approximately 40 meters in height. Its diameter is so immense that even a dozen people cannot encircle it with their arms. Colossal trunk is supported with huge wall-like buttresses stretching for dozens of meters and extending on the ground.
Giant Makha Tree
700 years old, huge trunk and 40 m tall. It was visited by Priminister Pham Van Dong on 12 Feb 1988, and therefore named after him.
6-trunked Sralao
The sralao tree features a massive root system from which six towering trunks emerge and reach skyward. Unfortunately, one of these trunks has suffered from rot, resulting in its top being broken down, while the remaining five stand tall and unaffected.. The tree is estimated to be over 300 years old. Not far away, an old cycas stands discretly among the bushes and other tall trees. Humble in size, the cycas is about 600 years old.
Bulging-rooted Sralao
The sralao tree (guava crape myrtle) has a short part of the root that bulges out resembling a the bulging stem of a water hyacinth plant. The tree can be seen on the trekking trail, about 3 km before reaching to Bau Sau. This is a cluster of five sralao trees, each with 2-3m diameter trunks.
Da Co Sralao Forest
The sralao forest of Da Co is located on the Da Co – Thac Troi ecological route. When the dry season comes (November – April) the leaves start turning from green to red and then fall off by the end of the of April. During the rainy season, the forest produces dense green leaves (May – October).
6-rooted Banyan
A massive banyan tree with six clusters of aerial roots ascending from the ground, converging in the air at the center and merging into a single canopy covering thousands of square metters.
The Hundred-trunk Banyan
The banyan is located at the end of the main road, approximately 6 kilometers beyond the Bau Sau trail head. This 400-year banyan is over 8 meters tall, spanning a small stream and extends for hundreds of meters. Its multitude of intertwined trunks and branches create a majestic yet peculiar form. To accommodate tourists, a small pond was constructed from the stream beneath the banyan. At the center of the lake, lies a small island adorned with three large trees.
Chaulmoogra Forest
Cat Tien National Park has a beautiful forest of chaulmoogras. Chaulmoogras are large trees, growing up to 20m high and living along canals, streams and creeks. During the rain season, the fruits fall into the water and become food for many fish species. Chaulmoogras is a typical tree for the flooded ecosystem in Cat Tien National Park.(Hydnocarpus anthelmintica pierre)
Dao Tien Endangered Primate Rescue Centre
Dao Tien Island spans across 58 hectares, situated independently on the Dong Nai River, approximately 2km/15 by boat from the Cat Tien National Park management center. The rescue center was established in July 2008, sprawled across a 3-hectare campus. The centre specializes in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of endangered primates, all victims of the illegal wildlife trade and naturally found in the region, including: golden-cheeked gibbons, black shanked douc, silvered langur and pygmy loris. A visit must be booked in advance and is a perfect opportunity to see and learn about these amazing primates. (Cost: VND 300,000 – Boats depart at 8:30 am and 2 pm).
Cat Tien Bear Rescue Centre
The bear rescue center accommodates sun bears and Asian black bears, which have been rescued from the illegal trade in bile: a traditional medicine. In the morning, black bears can be seen in a semi-wild area from a viewing platform, but by early afternoon they prefer to return to their cages for shelter.
Recommended trips to Cat Tien National Park:
Cat Tien National Park’s Biodiversity
If you curious about the importance of Cat Tien National Park, reading more about the park’s biodiversity below may help.
Flora
Cat Tien National Park is located between two biological geographical regions from the Truong Son plateau to the Southern Delta, thus converging rich and diverse flora. Characterized by tropical humid evergreen broadleaf forests with a composition of woody plants, mainly belonging to the Dipterocarpaceae and Fabaceae families, representing forest types, vegetation, composition of plant species in the Southeast region. The current list of plants in Cat Tien National Park has identified 1,610 species belonging to 724 genera, 162 families and subfamilies, 75 orders of vascular plants, with the dominant species composition belonging to the Dipterocarpaceae, Fabaceae and Lythraceae families. Some rare species listed in the Red Book such as: Afzelia xylocarpa (makha), Dalbergia bariensis (Burmese rosewood), Dalbergia cochinchinensis (Siamese rosewood), Pterocarpus macrocarpus (angsana tree), etc.
The flora of Cat Tien National Park comprises 5 main forest types:
- Evergreen broad-leaved forest: dominated by wood species of the Dipterocarpus family, Dalbergia bariensis (Burmese rosewood), Afzelia xylocarpa (makha), Pterocarpus macrocarpus (padauk or Siamese rosewood), etc.
- Semi-deciduous broad-leaved forest: composition of woody tree species that deciduous in the dry season such as Lagerstoemia calyculata (bằng lăng), Tetrameles nudiflora (tung), Anogeissus acuminata (buttontree), ect.
- Mixed wood and bamboo forest: this is a secondary forest type of evergreen and semi-deciduous forest, due to forest fire, chemical toxins, the forest canopy has been opened and bamboo has intervened. Common wood species are Mesua ferrea (ceylon ironwood), Lagerstoemia calyculata (guava crape myrtle), while the two main bamboo species are Bambusa procera and Gigantochloa mum.
- Pure bamboo forest: this is also a type of artificial secondary forest. After the forest is cleared for farming and then abandoned, bamboo species invade and develop.
- Wetland vegetation: dominant plants are flooded wood species such as Colona auriculata (bo-an), Barringtonia racemosa (fresh water mangrove) mixed with Erianthus arundinaceus (reed) and Saccharum spontaneum (wild sugarcane).
Fauna
The fauna of Cat Tien National Park has the characteristics of the fauna of the East Truong Son plain, with close ties to the Central Highlands.
- Mammal: 113 species, 38 families, 12 orders. Of these, there are 43 species of mammals that are threatened with extinction domestically and globally with 38 species listed in the Vietnam Red Book (2007). In addition, there are 18 species and subspecies of mammals that are endemic to the Indochina biogeographical sub-region and especially 3 species and subspecies that are endemic to Vietnam: the black-shanked douc, the Vietnamese one-horned rhinoceros and the Southern buck.
- Bird: 351 species, 64 families, 18 orders, compared to Vietnam, which has 828 species belonging to 64 families of 19 species). Cat Tien has 17 rare species that have been discovered and are listed in the Vietnam Red Book. Cat Tien National Park is located in the endemic bird area (EBA) in the southern lowlands of Vietnam, with populations of 3 bird species in the endemic bird area: the orange-necked partridge, Grey peacock-pheasant, and the grey-faced tit-babbler.
- Reptile: 109 species, 17 families, 4 orders, of which 18 are Red Book species: Siamese crocodile, reticulated python, Indian python.
- Amphibian: 41 species, 6 families, 2 orders, of which 3 being Red Book species: Malacca horned toad, bony-headed toad, Anderson’s frog.
- Insect: 756 species, 68 families, 10 orders. Butterflies alone, 450 species have been identified, accounting for more than 50% of Vietnam’s total. Rare species include: common birdwing butterfly, five-bar swordtail butterfly (Vietnam Red Book 2007).
- Freshwater fish: 159 species, 29 families, 9 orders. Among them, there is 1 species in the Vietnam Red Book in 2007 and the IUCN Red Book in 2008.
Recommended trips to Cat Tien National Park:
Cat Tien National Park’s Weather and Best Time To Visit
- Mid-December to February marks the peak season, characterized by deciduous trees shedding their leaves, making it easier to spot birds and other wildlife in the relatively cool weather.
- March to May typically brings the hottest temperatures of the year (though the forest remains cooler than the city). This period sees many birds nesting and mammals venturing out in search of water.
- From mid-May to June, the rainy season begins, offering the best opportunity to witness clouds of butterflies and the rejuvenation of the forest after the dry spell. Trees blossom and bear fruit during this time, providing nourishment for animals and birds.
- July to September experiences the peak of the rainy season, with rivers swelling and occasionally flooding roads. Some paths may be inaccessible, but the vibrant flora, including flowering trees, shrubs, gingers, and orchids, creates an enchanting atmosphere. Visitors should be wary of leeches and dress appropriately.
- October to early December sees diminishing rainfall and temperatures, making it an excellent time to explore Vietnam. In the park, the lush forest persists, and the rapids remain lively.
Recommended trips to Cat Tien National Park:
