Cat Tien National Park Herping Tour

Tour Itineraries

Tailor-made Tour (Private Tour): At Viet Herping, we understand every guest has unique expectations and schedules. We proudly offer customized Cat Tien National Park Herping Tours designed around your preferences. Whether you're arranging a spontaneous wildlife adventure or planning your trip months ahead, our expert team is ready to deliver an exceptional experience. Explore Vietnam's vibrant reptile life at your own pace with our carefully tailored itineraries, ensuring you never miss an exciting wildlife encounter.

Introduction

Convenient Access from Ho Chi Minh City

Explore the extraordinary biodiversity of Vietnam with our exclusive Cat Tien National Park Herping Tour. Located just a comfortable and convenient 3-hour bus ride from Ho Chi Minh City, Cat Tien National Park is the largest and nearest national park to Ho Chi Minh City, making it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts.

Rich Biodiversity and Ideal Habitat

Known internationally for its incredible wildlife diversity, Cat Tien National Park provides the perfect habitat for reptile and amphibian lovers. Our tour focuses on herping Vietnam’s most fascinating reptiles and amphibians, ensuring an unforgettable adventure.

A small corner of Nam Cat Tien National Park photographed by Tang A Pau.

Featured Activities

Our Cat Tien National Park herping tour offers diverse wildlife experiences tailored for reptile, amphibian, and biodiversity enthusiasts. Highlights include:

• Day & Night Herping: Guided walks by day and specialized snake and amphibian watching at night, maximizing encounters with rare species.

• Jungle Trekking: Explore scenic trails like Bang Lang Forest Trail amid ancient trees and rich flora.

• Crocodile Lake: Kayak or boat to spot Siamese crocodiles and water birds in their natural habitat.

• Night Safari: Jeep rides or guided night walks with specialized lights reveal elusive nocturnal wildlife.

• Bicycle Exploration: Discover hidden forest trails inaccessible by vehicles for an immersive adventure.

• Wildlife Rescue Centers: Visit to learn about conservation and see rescued primates and bears.

• Cultural Village: Engage with ethnic minority communities through cultural exchanges and local cuisine.

Snake Species You May Encounter

Non-venomous Snakes:

• Xenopeltis unicolor - Sunbeam Snake

• Chrysopelea ornata - Ornate Flying Snake

• Pareas carinatus - Asiatic Slug Snake

• Oligodon cinerus - Cat Tien Kukri Snake

• Gonyosoma oxycephalum - Red-tailed Racer

• The snakes listed here are just a small sample of the many non-venomous species you can discover in this area.

Gonyosoma oxycephalum - Red-tailed racer

This is a breathtaking snake with a vibrant green body, striking red tail, and a distinctive blue tongue. Often mistaken for a venomous species due to its bold colors, it is actually completely harmless and gentle. Usually found high in trees over 10 meters tall, this elusive snake’s graceful movements and rare presence make encountering it a truly magical and memorable experience on any herping adventure.

Pareas berdmorei - Mengla Snail-eating Snake

This is a delicate arboreal beauty, often found more than 10 meters high in the forest canopy. Its slender body features subtle browns and intricate patterns that blend seamlessly with the leaves. Spotting this elusive snake gliding gracefully through the trees offers a rare, unforgettable glimpse into Vietnam’s rich reptile diversity and adds a magical moment to any herping adventure.

Venomous Snakes:

Bungarus candidus - Malayan krait

1. Bungarus fasciatus - Banded krait

2. Calliophis maculiceps - Speled coral snake

3. Naja kaouthia - Monacled cobra

4. Naja siamensis - Indo-Chinese spitting cobra

5. Ophiophagus hannah - King cobra

6. Trimeresurus albolabris - White-lipped pit viper

7. Trimeresurus rubebus - Ruby-eyed green pit viper

Bungarus fasciatus - Banded krait

The Banded Krait (Bungarus fasciatus) is a strikingly beautiful snake with bold black and yellow bands that captivate the eye. Often found near hotel surroundings, this gentle and shy species typically hides its head when disturbed, displaying a calm demeanor. Encountering this elegant snake up close offers a rare, peaceful moment and a unique glimpse into Vietnam’s fascinating wildlife.

Handle Venomous Snake: Safety First and Expert Guidance

1. Handling venomous snakes requires utmost caution, specialized knowledge, and professional tools. At Viet Herping, we prioritize your safety by ensuring all interactions with venomous species are supervised by experienced herpetologists. Using secure handling equipment and proven techniques, our guides enable you to observe or even gently interact with these fascinating reptiles without risk.

2. This controlled, respectful approach allows wildlife enthusiasts to experience the thrill of getting close to some of Vietnam’s most dangerous snakes—like cobras and vipers—while maintaining full safety. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced herper, proper handling protocols are key to a memorable and secure herping adventure.

Indotestudo elongata - Elongated Tortoise

The Elongated Tortoise (Indotestudo elongata) enchants with its gracefully stretched shell and intricate patterns that shimmer subtly in the sunlight. Found wandering peacefully through the lush forest floor of the national park, encountering this gentle reptile offers a serene and memorable glimpse into Vietnam’s rich biodiversity. Spotting this rare tortoise is a true highlight for wildlife lovers.

Python Species You May Encounter

Malayopython reticulatus - Reticulated Python

This is a magnificent giant known for its intricate, geometric skin patterns that shimmer in the wild. Spotting this powerful yet graceful serpent in its natural habitat is a breathtaking experience. Watching it move silently through dense foliage highlights the elegance and raw beauty of Vietnam’s reptile world, making it a true highlight for any herping adventure.

Endemic Gecko in Cat Tien National Park

Cyrtodactylus cattienensis - Cattien Bent-toed Gecko

The Cattien Bent-toed Gecko (Cyrtodactylus cattienensis) enchants with its delicate toes and beautifully patterned skin blending seamlessly into the forest understory. Often found perched low, under 2 meters, this arboreal gem offers an intimate and thrilling herping experience. Spotting this elusive gecko close to the ground reveals Vietnam’s rich biodiversity in vivid detail and natural elegance.

Why Book the Cat Tien National Park Wildlife-Watching Tour?

1. Explore One of Vietnam’s Richest Biodiversity Hotspots
Cat Tien National Park offers unparalleled opportunities to observe diverse snakes, amphibians, and wildlife in pristine natural habitats. Our expertly crafted itineraries take you deep into the forest, maximizing your chances to encounter rare and endemic species in one of Vietnam’s most celebrated conservation areas.

2. Guided by Passionate, Experienced Experts
Our local guides bring extensive knowledge of Cat Tien’s herpetofauna and ecosystems. With their sharp eyes and engaging storytelling, they turn each wildlife encounter into a meaningful learning experience, ensuring your journey is both safe and unforgettable.

3. Support Conservation with Viet Snake Rescuer
By joining Viet Herping, you actively contribute to the preservation of Vietnam’s reptiles and amphibians. In partnership with Viet Snake Rescuer, our tours support vital conservation efforts and promote sustainable tourism that benefits both wildlife and local communities.

• Schedule for the trip

  The itinerary can be customized based on your preferences. At Cat Tien National Park, you can book a flexible herping tour lasting 1 night, 2 nights, 3 nights, or even longer. With numerous herping sites throughout the area, we tailor each tour to offer the best wildlife encounters suited to your schedule.

• Pricing and Discounts

  Groups of 4 or more: 5% discount

  Returning customers receive a 7% discount

  Contact us for the detailed pricing

Included in the tour

• Transportation

  Option 1: Budget-Friendly Group Travel
  Travel with Viet Herping’s guide by public bus for an affordable adventure to Cat Tien National Park. The 3-hour bus ride brings you close to nature at a great value.

  • Advantages:

    • Low cost, great value for budget travelers

    • Group experience with fellow nature enthusiasts

  • Disadvantages:

    • Must arrive at the bus station independently

    • No privacy during travel

    • Fixed departure times, no schedule flexibility

  Option 2: Private and Flexible Transport
  Enjoy a personalized journey with a private car booked by Viet Herping, picking you up directly from your hotel or airport. This comfortable 3-hour ride lets you choose your preferred departure time and enjoy privacy throughout the trip.

  • Advantages:

    • Flexible departure time tailored to your needs

    • Private, comfortable, and faster travel

    • Convenient pick-up from hotel or airport

  • Disadvantages:

    • Higher cost compared to group travel

• Experienced herping guide

  1. Experienced herping guide with good basic English communication skills

  2. Professional guide support for wildlife photography using a camera

  3. 4K video recording

  4. Complimentary delivery of original raw photo and video files without logos or watermarks after the tour

  5. Guide trained in first aid and ethical wildlife handling

• Meals

  At Cat Tien National Park, guests can enjoy a diverse and delicious dining experience featuring a wide variety of dishes, including many flavorful vegetarian options. Meals are thoughtfully prepared to cater to different tastes and dietary preferences, ensuring everyone finds something satisfying. Additionally, a full selection of soft drinks and beer is available upon request, making your mealtime both refreshing and enjoyable during your herping adventure.

• Herping Time

  • Daytime Herping: 6:00 AM – 10:00 AM

  • Nighttime Herping Expedition: 7:00 PM – 2:00 AM

Click the Contact Us button below and let us tailor a tour designed just for you.