Vietnam

25th November – 10th December 2024
+ extradays in Thailand for Spoon-billed Sandpiper

FULLY BOOKED

Vietnam

25th November – 10th December 2024
+ extradays in Thailand for Spoon-billed Sandpiper

FULLY BOOKED

25th November – 10th December 2024
+ Extradays in Thailand 10-13 December 2024

Price: 49.200 SEK per person (excluding airfare)
Single room supplement: 5,600 SEK per person
Price for extra days: 8,500 SEK per person

Pheasants, Pittas, and Laughing Thrushes in one of Asia’s most exciting countries

In recent years, Vietnam has established itself as one of Asia’s true hotspots for international birdwatching, compared to other, more traditional birdwatching destinations such as Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia.

There are probably several reasons for this. It is still relatively inexpensive to visit the country, and it may come as a surprise, but Vietnam has more endemic bird species than any other Southeast Asian country – 19 species are found only here, and an additional 39 are shared with neighboring Laos and Cambodia. One of these endemics, the Grey-crowned Crocias, was actually discovered by a Swede, Bertil Björkegren, who made two trips to the country just before World War II broke out and collected birds for the Swedish Museum of Natural History. Several delightful Galliformes, Pittas, Laughing Thrushes, Barbets, and Broadbills are among the attractions in Vietnam, as well as the chance to see ”Siberian rarities” in their wintering grounds, such as the Siberian Blue Robin, Siberian Rubythroat, and the Eyebrowed Thrush. Many of them can be observed from hides with good photo opportunities.

Have a look at one of our trip reports!

Species

During previous visits to Cat Tien, there has been a good photo hide near the headquarters, which was visited by species such as Siamese Fireback Pheasant, Germain’s Peacock-pheasant, Scaly-breasted Partridge, and wintering Siberian Blue Robin. Further into the forest, one can encounter Banded Kingfisher, Dusky, Black-and-red, and Banded Broadbill. In recent seasons, there has also been a photo hide for Banded and Blue-rumped Pitta.

In the open grasslands – created when Agent Orange was sprayed on the forest during the Vietnam War (Cat Tien was one of the Viet Cong’s headquarters in the region) – one can see Green Peafowl, Large-Eared-, and Long-tailed Nightjar.

Da Lat, a former French hill resort during the colonial period, hosts most of the country’s endemic species. Beautiful Barbets of various species, 7 species of Laughing Thrushes, Vietnamese Cutia, Yellow-crowned Green Magpie, Vietnamese Greenfinch, and Grey-crowned Crocias are some of the specialties from this area. There will also be an opportunity to photograph the charismatic and endemic Collared Laughing Thrush from a hide where flycatchers, babblers, and others might appear.

Mang Den and especially Ngoc Linh are mountainous areas in central Annam. In this highland area, there are several endemics such as Eye-ringed Shrike-Babbler, Annam-, Golden-breasted-, and Indochinese Fulvetta, Black-eared Parrotbill, Red-tailed Laughing Thrush, and many other exciting birds. Last year, a new road was built, making it possible again to try to see Golden-winged– and Chestnut-eared Laughing Thrush, which were scientifically described as recently as the late 1990s. Perhaps, just perhaps, there will be an opportunity to see these from a hide.

Over 900 species have been reported from the country. We hope to encounter at least one-third of these.

Other animals

In Cat Tien, there is an opportunity to see the endangered Northern Yellow-cheeked Gibbon, whose song we hopefully will wake up to. There is also the endangered Red-shanked Douc, a langur monkey. It is also possible to take a day trip (optional) to see Siamese Fresh-water Crocodiles.

For whom?

This trip does not involve any major hardships. Typically, a morning excursion is done along small roads or trails, followed by lunch and a few hours of rest/free time before an afternoon excursion. On some occasions, we will stay in the field all day due to longer transportation distances. For most of the trip, birdwatching will be at higher elevations – 1,200 to 1,800 meters, so it can be quite cool in the mornings.

Freedom of choice

During the trip, we will visit several hides (the only way to see shy species such as Pittas, Pheasants, Laughing Thrushes, etc.). Depending on availability and logistics, there may be an opportunity to stay at some of these hides after the group has had their fill of the colorful ”skulkers.” If you prefer to take it easy one morning or afternoon and explore the area around our accommodations on your own, that is also perfectly fine.

Season and time

The rainy season usually ends in November. At this time, it starts to get a bit cooler in the lowland forests, but it has not yet become really cold at the higher elevations. Especially in the northern parts of the country, migratory birds – thrushes, flycatchers, etc. – have started to arrive.

Some areas, particularly a well-defined part of Cat Tien, may still have a number of leeches, depending on when the rainy season ended.

Climate

We can still experience short rain showers, so it’s a good idea to bring an umbrella. At higher elevations, it can be cold in the morning, so bringing a sweater and a windbreaker that can be taken off as it gets warmer is advisable. Regular hiking boots are sufficient footwear. Participants will always receive a list of packing and clothing tips before the trip.

Environments

From subtropical lowland evergreen forest to a mixed forest of hill evergreen and coniferous forest, we traverse through southern Vietnam.

Traveling and route

Vietnam is a large, elongated, S-shaped country, roughly the size of Norway, with a coastline stretching 3260 kilometers, similar to that of Sweden. Just like the elongated shape of Sweden, there are significant differences between the northern and southern parts. The road network is still in poor condition with narrow roads and heavy traffic, often resulting in long travel times from point A to B. However, there is a modern and efficient domestic flight network.

We will be staying in the southern and central parts of Vietnam. Our first stop is Cat Tien National Park, approximately 150 kilometers north of Saigon. Cat Tien is mostly composed of lowland evergreen forest.

The journey continues by car about 150 kilometers further north, to the Da Lat plateau located in southern Annam at an altitude ranging from 1,200 to 1,500 meters, with peaks exceeding 2,000 meters. Here, there is more mixed forest, a blend of coniferous and hill evergreen. Most of the endemics we will see are found in this area. After a longer drive – about 250 kilometers – to Yok Don National Park, predominantly deciduous forest, we continue to the Kontum plateau in central Annam. This plateau is situated at a slightly higher elevation compared to Da Lat.

Local guides

We will have at least one local guide accompanying us during the journey. Additionally, one or two drivers will be present.

The local guides speak fluent English, while the drivers have minimal knowledge of English.

Food and accommodation

The accommodation during the trip varies slightly. Where possible, we stay in 3-4-star hotels. Some bungalows may be of a slightly older model, but they all have air conditioning (in Cat Tien, air conditioning is not needed in other destinations), private toilets, and hot showers in the rooms.

Dinners are typically served in Vietnamese style, with a variety of vegetable, fish, and meat dishes served from communal platters. Rice is the usual carbohydrate, but Vietnamese cuisine is influenced by colonial France, so French fries may sometimes be served. Fruit is usually served as dessert. Breakfast can vary from French baguettes with ham and cheese to a more traditional breakfast. On occasion, breakfast may be served in the field. Vietnamese coffee has a good reputation and is a must-try.

Other information: Few people in rural areas speak English. Internet coverage is well-developed in Vietnam, actually better than in sparsely populated northern Sweden. ATMs are available in larger cities, airports, and major gas stations, but outside these more ”urban” environments, cash is king. So, a little Vietnamese dong is needed.

Practical information

The trip is a collaboration between Birdsafarisweden and Karlmark Resor. (Karlmark Resor holds a travel guarantee insurance that also covers this trip).

When: November 25th – December 10th, 2024 + extra days in Laem Pak Bia, Thailand.

Price: 49.200 SEK per person (excluding airfare)
Single room supplement: 5,600 SEK per person
Price for extra days: 8,500 SEK per person

Note: We reserve the right to adjust the price if local costs or currency changes justify it. Minor adjustments to the start and end times of the trip may sometimes be necessary. We offer to book your flight for you. It’s important to us that we all travel on the same flight.

What’s included:
Full board in shared double rooms at hotels, Swedish (English speaking) tour leader, local guide throughout the trip, all transportation, all entrance fees to nature reserves and parks.

Not included:
Airfare, Transfer to the airport, insurance (Note: European Health Insurance Card is not valid here. Participants are required to have travel insurance against accidents and illnesses as usual.), alcohol, souvenirs, and other personal expenses, tips to local guides/drivers.

Number of participants: Minimum 6 – maximum 10 people.

Registration fee:
Once you have registered, we will send you an invoice for 5,000 SEK as a registration fee, guaranteeing you a spot on the trip.

On this trip, it is reasonable to expect to see at least 300 species.

Tour leader: Bengt Legnell (Swedish and English speaking) + local guides.

Extradays in Thailand 10-13 December 2024

Laem Pak Bia

Just about 2 hours from Bangkok lies one of the world´s most important wintering areas for shorebirds. 1000´s of the endangered Great Knots and 100´s of likewise threatened Nordmann’s Greenshanks feed around the salt ponds – in both cases a large part of the world population!

The area have also become known to be one of few accesible sites for wintering Spoon-billed Sandpipers, about a handful of these charismatic and critically endangered birds normally winter here.

Other rare species to be seen here are , White-faced- and Malaysian Plover. In large flocks of Curlew the odd Far Eastern Curlew can be found. Huge flocks of Lesser Sand Plover (now split to be the Siberian Sand Plover) including a few Greater Sand Plovers too feed in the deeper ponds. 100´s of Red-necked Stints, Broad-billed- and Curlew Sandpipers feed alongside Marsh Sandpipers and Black-winged Stilts in practically every Salina. Vigilante Pacific Golden Plovers often stand erect along the sides of them. By the seashore flocks of 100´s of Terek Sandpipers rest after busy nights of feeding. Sometimes Pallas´Gulls or Heuglin´s Gulls fly by.

Up to around 40 species of Waders in a couple of days is a realistic score here, add to that the gulls, terns, herons, ibis and other waterbirds. We stay 3 nights in a 4-star resort just 10 minutes by car from the birding area.

Species to be expected around Laem Pak Bia: Spotted Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Booted Eagle, Eastern Marsh Harrier, Black-shouldered Kite, Brahminy Kite, Black-eared Kite, Spoon-billed Sandpiper, Terek Sandpiper, Red-necked Stint, Long-toed Stint, Great Knot, Nordmann´s Greenshank, White-faced Plover, Malaysian Plover, Siberian Sand Plover, Greater Sand Plover, Pacific Golden Plover, Far-eastern Curlew, Asiatic Dowitcher, Whiskered Tern, White-winged Black Tern, Greater- and Lesser Crested Tern, Heuglin´s and Pallas´ Gull, Brown-headed- and Slender-billed Gull, Open-billed Stork & Painted Stork, Glossy & Sacred Ibis, Western Reef Heron are some of the 100,000´s of birds wintering here.

There will be plenty of opportunities to photograph many of these birds as well.