Day 725: September 20, 2026 – Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam
A 3-hour drive from the bustle of Ho Chi Minh City is Cat Tien National Park, a jungle oasis chock full of birds, monkeys, and crocodiles. As well as leeches and poisonous snakes. I joined fellow birder Tim and fledgling birder Michelle on an overnight excursion into the park.
On our itinerary was Crocodile Lake, which required a 5 km hike on a jungle trail.
Rather than doing a return 5 km hike out of the jungle, we were offered the opportunity to make the return trip on a motorbike. It turned out to be a hair-raising romp on the narrow, rocky trail filled with potholes. I just held on for dear life! That squealing sound is our brakes. And no, helmets were not an option.
The plan was for us to take a boat ride on Crocodile Lake, but when we got there, we found out they were not allowing boats on the water that day because of the danger of aggressive crocodiles hopping on to the boat. We did manage to see a few of them from a safe distance.
12 responses to “A Nature Getaway”
My comments are exactly what Eva said!!!!! You are crazy sometimes!!!! But I eagerly watch for more adventure.
Guilty as charged!
I love the look on the faces of those monkeys, one of my favorite animals. And the sound of the birds screeching in the wood on your motorbike ride back. Nice to get a view of the forest -and I didn’t realize how impressive that lens on your camera is – that helps you get such gorgeous photos.
They do have very expressive faces, don’t they
Great pics! Thanks for sharing!
Glad to know you are enjoying them
Overnight?? With the leeches and snakes?
Yeah, cool, eh? Although we didn’t sleep in the jungle itself, we stayed at a lodge. The danger was when we were walking/riding in the jungle. The leeches drop down from the trees. Halfway through our motorbike ride, my driver turned to me and said, I think I got a leech on my leg… 😂
…And then what happened?
He continued driving until we got back to our destination, then peeled the little sucker off him. (pun intended)
What an awesome adventure !
It was!