Vietnam Wildlife Through the Lens

Vietnam Wildlife Through the Lens

A 14-Day Wildlife & Photography Expedition Across Vietnam

Venture deep into Vietnam’s most biodiverse landscapes on a journey crafted for wildlife photographers and nature enthusiasts. From the dense lowland rainforests of Nam Cat Tien to the misty pine forests of Dalat and the dramatic limestone karsts of Ninh Binh, this 14-day expedition takes you through habitats teeming with rare birds, elusive primates, and nocturnal mammals.

Guided by expert trackers and local naturalists, you’ll capture iconic species like the Red-shanked Douc Langur, Blue-rumped Pitta, Delacour’s Langur, and Collared Laughingthrush all in their natural environments. Days are filled with birding, trekking, and photography in national parks and protected reserves, while nights offer opportunities for photographing civets, lorises, flying squirrels, and tree frogs.

Whether you’re a seasoned wildlife photographer or passionate about conservation, this journey offers unforgettable encounters and powerful images – framed by Vietnam’s diverse ecosystems and stunning scenery.

Tour Highlights

• Photograph Vietnam’s rarest primates, including the striking Red-shanked Douc Langur and critically endangered Delacour’s Langur
• Explore six key biodiversity hotspots: Nam Cat Tien, Dalat, Bidoup Nui Ba, Di Linh, Son Tra Peninsula, and Phong Nha-Ke Bang
• Track colorful and elusive birds such as Blue-rumped Pitta, Collared Laughingthrush, Vietnamese Cutia, and Siamese Fireback
• Night walks and safaris to capture nocturnal species like slow lorises, civets, flying squirrels, and tree frogs
• Boat ride in Van Long Nature Reserve for unique limestone landscape photography and langur sightings
• Guided by expert local trackers and birding specialists with deep knowledge of each ecosystem
• Stay in eco-lodges and nature-friendly accommodations, close to wildlife-rich areas
• Photograph Vietnam’s diverse ecosystems, from lowland rainforest and highland pine forests to karst mountains and wetlands

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City – Nam Cat Tien National Park

Depart Ho Chi Minh City and travel around 4 hours to Nam Cat Tien National Park, a haven of lowland tropical forest teeming with biodiversity. After checking in, begin your photography journey with target species such as the Blue-rumped Pitta, Bar-bellied Pitta, and Germain’s Peacock-Pheasant.

In the evening, join a guided night walk to search for slow lorises, civets, and owls.

Day 2: Nam Cat Tien – Lowland Rainforest Photography

Start early with a birding walk near the park headquarters. Key species include:

• Black-and-red Broadbill
• Silver-breasted Broadbill
• Banded Kingfisher
• Great and Wreathed Hornbills

After breakfast, take a boat ride on the Dong Nai River, scanning for kingfishers, bee-eaters, and riverside raptors.

In the afternoon, explore the Botanical Garden Trail and Heaven Rapids for primates such as gibbons and pig-tailed macaques, along with butterflies and reptiles.

After dinner, join a jeep safari to photograph slow lorises, muntjacs, Asian palm civets, and night birds.

Day 3: Nam Cat Tien – Primate and Nocturnal Wildlife Photography

Depart early for a hike to Crocodile Lake (10 km round-trip). Along the trail and lake area, expect sightings of:

• Siamese Fireback
• Orange-breasted Trogon
• Woodpeckers, broadbills, and drongos
• Lesser Adjutant Stork, Green Peafowl

Return mid-day for lunch and rest. In the afternoon, focus on photographing Black-shanked Douc Langurs, Stump-tailed Macaques, and giant squirrels.

At night, walk forest trails with expert guides to spot flying squirrels, frogs, tokay geckos, and insects.

Day 4: Nam Cat Tien – Dalat

Enjoy a final morning birding walk, then drive to Dalat in the Central Highlands (approx. 6–7 hours).

Dalat’s cool climate and pine forests offer a new ecosystem. Afternoon session targets highland species like:

• Himalayan Cutia
• Orange-breasted Laughingthrush
• Various sunbirds and bush warblers

Day 5: Dalat – Bidoup Nui Ba National Park

Full-day expedition to Bidoup Nui Ba National Park, home to some of Vietnam’s most elusive endemics. Target species include:

• Collared Laughingthrush
• Vietnamese Cutia
• Grey-crowned Crocias

The forest here also hosts Hoang Lien frogs, tree frogs, and rare amphibians. After dark, night photography focuses on reptiles and nocturnal mammals.

Day 6: Dalat – Di Linh

Morning shoot around Dalat’s forest trails and gardens. After lunch, transfer to Di Linh, a lesser-known birding hotspot in southern Lam Dong.

Target species:

• Blue Pitta
• Black-headed Parrotbill
• Bar-backed Partridge
• After dinner, a night walk may reveal the pygmy slow loris.

Day 7: Di Linh – Ho Chi Minh City – Da Nang

Early morning session for Blue Pitta and other forest birds. After breakfast, return to Ho Chi Minh City for your domestic flight to Da Nang on Vietnam’s central coast. Check in and rest.

Day 8: Son Tra Peninsula – Red-shanked Douc Langur Photography

Drive to Son Tra Nature Reserve, also called Monkey Mountain, one of the last refuges for the critically endangered Red-shanked Douc Langur.

In the early morning, capture them feeding, grooming, or resting in tree canopies. Other highlights include:

Rhesus macaques

Long-tailed macaques

Green-eared Barbet, sunbirds, and drongos

Afternoon break or optional visit to Linh Ung Pagoda for scenic and cultural photography. Evening at leisure.

Day 9: Son Tra Peninsula – Birding and Scenic Wildlife Photography

Start before dawn for better lighting and animal activity. Drive higher up the mountain to capture:

• Greater Racket-tailed Drongo
• White-throated Kingfisher
• Ashy Drongo, bulbuls, and leafbirds

Enjoy panoramic views of Da Nang Bay – ideal for wide-angle landscape photography.

Return to Douc Langur observation sites in the late afternoon for backlit portraits. Evening at leisure or optional night photography.

Day 10: Da Nang – Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park

Travel by road to Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (approx. 6-7 hours). A UNESCO-listed area, it’s known for limestone karst mountains and cave ecosystems.

Check in at an eco-lodge near the park and rest.

Day 11: Phong Nha-Ke Bang – Karst Forest Photography

Trek through limestone forest to photograph the Hatinh Langur, a critically endangered primate. Look out for:

• Northern pig-tailed macaque
• Stump-tailed macaque
• Leaf monkeys and forest birds

Optional visit to Paradise Cave for dramatic cave and landscape photography.

Day 12: Phong Nha – Van Long Nature Reserve

Depart for Van Long Nature Reserve, a tranquil wetland in Ninh Binh Province. Surrounded by limestone cliffs, it is the last stronghold of the Delacour’s Langur.

Day 13: Van Long Nature Reserve – Delacour’s Langur Photography

Take a small boat through the wetlands at sunrise to photograph Delacour’s Langurs in their natural habitat — often seen perched on rocky cliffs. Also spot:

• Purple Heron
• Kingfishers
• Storks and wetland birds
• Sunrise and sunset offer stunning light for landscape compositions as well.

Day 14: Van Long – Hanoi (Tour Ends)

Enjoy a final morning of photography, then transfer to Hanoi. Depending on your schedule, a short city tour or airport drop-off will be arranged.