Yok Don National Park Birding Site | Wildtour Vietnam
Summary
Yok Don protects Vietnam's most extensive example of dry deciduous dipterocarp forest, a habitat that looks and feels very different from the country's evergreen forests. Open woodland, seasonal wetlands and the Srepok River create an unusually diverse birding landscape and support a number of species that are difficult to find elsewhere in Vietnam. The relatively open forest also allows a different style of birding, with more visibility than in dense rainforest.
Key targets include White-rumped Falcon, Collared Falconet, Black-headed Woodpecker, Chestnut-bellied (Burmese) Nuthatch, Alexandrine and Blossom-headed Parakeet, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon and, along suitable river sections, Mekong Wagtail. The park is around 40 km from Buon Ma Thuot and can be reached in roughly an hour by road; Buon Ma Thuot also has regular domestic air connections. Yok Don works especially well in a longer Central Highlands itinerary with Da Lat and Mang Den because its dry forest adds a completely different suite of birds and habitats.
The most unique dry deciduous dipterocarp forest in Vietnam
Click here to see the full bird checklist in Yok Don National Park
Most highlights
Mekong Wagtail, White-rumped Falcon, Collared Falconet, Black-hooded Woodpecker and other woodpeckers, Chestnut-bellied Nuthatch, Alexandrine, Grey-headed, Blossom-headed Parakeets, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, White-rumped and Red-headed Vultures.
White-rumped Falcon is one of the most highlighted birds in Yok Don National Park
Transportation
About an hour's drive from Ban Me Thuot city (40 km). There are flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Ban Me Thuot Airport every day. From Da Lat, you can travel on relative bad Road 27; it takes about 7 hours; however, this is a good way to connect to the excellent birding site of Da Lat.
Accommodation
Many hotels in Ban Me Thuot, basic accommodation at park HQ, and an acceptable lodge at Ban Don tourism area.
Relevant tour
More information about the birding sites in Vietnam
- Mang Den - Kon Plong Birding Site
- Da Lat Plateau Birding Site
- Cat Tien National Park Birding Site
- Yok Don National Park Birding Site
- Tam Dao National Park Birding Site
- Sa Pa - Fansipan Mt Birding Site
- Cuc Phuong National Park Birding Site
- Lo Xo Pass Birding Site
- Bach Ma National Park Birding Site
- Sa Mu & Bac Huong Hoa Birding Site
- Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park Birding Site
- Tan Phu Forest (Thac Mai) Birding Site
- Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve Birding Site
- Mekong Delta Birding Site