Why is Da Lat celebrated as one of the premier birding destinations in Vietnam and all Southeast Asia? The answer lies in its extraordinary level of endemism. Boasting more than 10 endemic species – a number that continues to grow with ongoing taxonomic splits – the Dalat Plateau is officially recognized by BirdLife International as one of Vietnam's five vital Endemic Bird Areas (EBAs). This is an absolute bucket-list destination for wildlife photographers seeking globally unique avian treasures.

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 Grey-crowned Crocias – an edemic species to Vietnam

Most highlight birds of Da Lat

Endemic and Near-endemic

• Collared Laughingthrush – endemic to Vietnam
• Vietnamese Cutia – endemic to Vietnam
• Vietnamese Greenfinch – endemic to Vietnam
• Grey-crowned Crocias – endemic to Vietnam
• Dalat Bush Warbler – endemic to Vietnam
• Annam Pribia – endemic to Vietnam
• Black-crowned Fulvetta – subspecies, endemic to Vietnam
• Orange-breasted Laughingthrush – endemic to Indochina
• White-browed Shrike Babbker (Dalat Shrike Babbler) – near endemic to Dalat Plateu
• Mr. Gould’s Sunbird (Langbiang Sunbird) – near endemic to Dalat Plateu
• Black-throated Sunbird (Annam Sunbird) – near endemic to Dalat Plateu
• Red-vented Barbet – endemic to Indochina (Vietnam, Lao, Cambodia)
• Indochinese Barbet (Annam Barbet) – endemic to Indochina
• Indochinese Green Magpie – endemic to Indochina, an elusive bird
• Indochinese Fulvetta
• Clicking Shirke Babbler
• Blue-winged Minla (Plain Minla)
• Rufous-backed Sibia
• Black-headed Sibia (White-spectacled Sibia)
• Indochinese Wren Babbler
• Streaked Wren Babbler
• Yellow-billed Nuthatch
• Lesser Shortwing
• Red Crossbill (Dalat Crossbill)
• Black-throated Tit (Grey-crowned Tit)

Vietnamese Greenfinch

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Other targets

Red-headed Trogon, Maroon Oriole, Slender-billed Oriole, Long-tailed Broadbill, Blue Pitta, Rusty-naped Pitta, Eurasian Jay, Necklaced Barbet,  White-browed Scimitar Babbler, Eyebrowed Wren Babbler, Pygmy Wren Babbler, Rufous-capped Babbler,  Streaked Spiderhunter,  Brown Bullfinch, White-throated Rock Thrush, Blue Whistling Thrush, Orange-headed Thrush, Green Cochoa, Rufous-browed Flycatcher, Blue-and-White Flycatcher, Mugimaki Flycatcher, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Little Pied Flycatcher, Large Niltava, White-tailed Robin, Spotted Forktail, Yellow-cheeked Tit, Grey-bellied Tesia, White-spectacled Warbler, Gray-cheeked Warbler, Chestnut-crowned Warbler.

The beautiful male of Blue Pitta from the bird blind

Itinerary

• Day 1: Drive to Da Lat (can fly to Lien Khuong airport as optional), go birding in the afternoon if time permit. Overnight at Hoang Anh Dat Xanh or similar
• Day 2 - 4 or 5 or more: Exploring Da Lat area and surrounding, including Cong Troi, Ta Nung valley, Datanla waterfall, Langbian, Bidoup – Nui Ba NP, Giang Ly. Before last day afternoon drive to Di Linh, birding at Deo Nui San. Overnight in Di Linh town.
• Last day: Morning birding at Deo Nui San then drive to Ho Chi Minh city – tour ends.

If you have plenty of time in Vietnam, this tour is also good to combine with Cat Tien National Park  tour.

Tour price: Contact

• Includes: Bird guide, transportation by private car, accommodation (share twin room), daily meals and drinking water. Providing portable hide, chairs and  worm.
• Excludes: Personal expense (e.g., beverage, laundry), tipping for guide and driver (optional but appreciated)

Relevant tour:

• Cat Tien National Park Birding Tour
• Da Lat Bird Photography Tour
• Central Highland Birding Tour
• Tan Phu Birding Tour

More infomation about birding sites in Vietnam:

• Da Lat Plateau
• Cat Tien National Park
• Yok Don National Park