Scoping Crocodile Lake for waterbirds.

In order to access the park compounds, one has to cross a river by boat. Much of the unnecessary traffic is kept out so the park’s environs are fairly peaceful.

The facilities in this national park are fairly new. It even has tennis courts and a swimming pool. The park’s cafeteria is the most cheerful, clean and airy among all the national parks that I have visited in Vietnam. The beef salad there was my favourite dish.

The main road leading away from the HQ is fully cemented and you can walk for hours along the cement road and yet not reach Dac Lua. Birding along the cement road is good.

Do also try to spend a night at Crocodile Lake in order to see the Green Peafowls that show up there in the early morning. There is a good range of water birds there.

WEATHER : Heavy rainfall experienced on several days especially in the late afternoon.

GETTING THERE : From HCMC, I boarded the Open Tour Bus towards Dalat. I told the driver that I was heading to Cat Tien National Park so he let me alight at a T junction in a small town about 20 km from the national park. Before I had even collected my luggage, there were already several scooter taxi drivers buzzing around me offering their service. I did not bargain hard enough and ended up paying 50,000 VND for the ride. The small road leading to the park entrance forks several times and I do not recall seeing any signage. It can be very easy to get lost if you are self-driving there. Consider hiring a scooter taxi to lead the way.

ACCOMMODATION : It can get very hot at this park especially at night. It is wise to pay just a little more for air conditioning. The room I got was at 140,000 VND/night and it was essentially a small semi-detached chalet with a private shower (Leftmost picture). 

(Left: Airconditioned Mid Priced bungalow.  Right : Cheap  accomodation, beware of mosquitoes)

BIRDING HIGHLIGHTS : 80 species were seen in total but the more interesting ones were :

Between First Rapids & Crocodile Lake’s entrance : Siamese Fireback, Woolly-Necked Stork, Lesser Adjutant, Great Hornbill, Grey-Faced Tit Babbler, Pampadour Green Pigeon & a BVD of Germain’s Peacock Pheasant (endemic).

At Crocodile Lake & the trail leading to it :  Bar-Bellied Pitta, Scaly-Breasted Partridge, Asian Golden Weaver, Purple Swamphen, Bronze-Winged Jacana, Lesser Adjutant (endangered), Osprey, Puff-Throated Babbler &  Greater Yellownape

LEECHES : None.

MAP/SKETCH : N/A

SCOPE: A scope does come in handy in 3 areas here. There are quite a few species of birds (eg. Shikras) that like to perch on the tall trees around the open area around the HQ. At the First Rapids area, a scope can come in useful too to see Great Slaty Woodpeckers and Green-Eared Barbets. While it is tough work to carry a scope & tripod to walk 5km along the trail leading to Crocodile Lake, you will be rewarded with fine views of all sorts of water birds there.

LESSON LEARNT : Beyond HCMC, very few people speak or understand English besides a few of the park staff.  So do get your simple Vietnamese phrases up to pat.