Mang Den - Kon Plong***
Biodiversity values
Mang Den is located in Kong Plong disctrict, Kontum province. The town is developing as a hill resort since 2004, it lies on Road 24 from Kon Tum to Quang Ngai which approximately 50 km to the east of Kontum, in Vietnam's Central Highlands. The forest named Mang Canh Forest enterprise on the local road 676, an excellent montane evergreen forest survives mostly intact although it is degrading for a damp project. Within the Kontum Plateau EBA, the little-known Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush can be found here is the most highlight for almost birders, it was described as recently as the late 1990s this enigmatic species is known only from the Kontum Plateau and until "rediscovery" in mid-2010 although we had tried many time since 2006.
Bird fauna - Birding
The town itself is a mix pine-broadleaf forest, many birds can be encountered including Black-hooded Laughingthrush, Red-vented Barbet, Silver-breasted Broadbill, Silver Pheasant, Blue Pitta, Rufous-faced Warbler and Tits. As mentioned above, the Mang Canh forest is the best spot for Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush. Moreover, Rusty-naped, Blue and Blue-rumped Pittas can be founded in some difficult ways, while Brown Hornbill, White-winged Magpie, Rachet-tailed Treepie may occur along the main road.
Click here to see the full bird checklist in Mang Den – Kon Plong area
Most highlights
Pale-capped Pigeon, Northern Brown Hornbill, Stripe-breasted Woodpecker, White-winged Magpie, Ratchet-tailed Treepie, Pale Blue Flycatcher, Grey-crowned Tit, Rufous-faced Warbler, Grey-headed Parrotbill, Indochinese Wren-babbler, Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush, Black-hooded Laughingthrush, Grey-crowned Crocias, Rufous-backed Sibia, Grey-faced Warbler.
Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush is the most wanted bird species in Mang Den – Kon Plong area
Transportation
You can travel by private car from Pleiku airport for about 3 hours. A connected trip with Lo Xo Pass is usually drive from Da Nang for one night stay in Kham Duc or in-versa.
Accommodations
There are many hotels from standard to luxury located in the town.