Signature Nam Nern River Safari
5 November 2024
The Nests Wildlife Tower
10 December 2024
Extended Nam Nern River Safari
Extended Nam Nern River Safari
An extended version of the original Nam Nern Night Safari tour with additional morning river safari, a longer nature hike and an opportunity to travel and overnight deeper inside the national park. More wildlife spotting, birdwatching, and time to enjoy the nature and to relax.
Difficulty
Highlights
The first day follows the same itinerary as the classic Nam Nern River tour.
Key additional features:
- More wildlife spotting and birdwatching opportunities.
- Night & Morning wildlife watching.
- Optional 2-3-hour nature hike on the second day.
- Camping deeper inside the National Park on the second night.
- More free time in the National Park to enjoy birdwatching, relax, swim, read a book, etc.
Wildlife species
The trip's highlight is nighttime wildlife spotlighting: long-tail boats drift down the Nam Nern River in search of wildlife, including sambar deer, muntjacs, civets, green water dragons, slow and pygmy lorises, otters, pythons, and more.
The Nam Nern area also offers excellent birdwatching opportunities. You may spot several kingfisher species, including Blyth’s kingfisher, as well as fish owls, red-collared woodpeckers, and a wide array of other owls, herons, pheasants, and passerines. See what others have seen on E-bird.
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- Black-capped kingfisher
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- Blyth_s kingfisher
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- White-throated kingfisher
Rates 2025-2026 in LAK
This is the price per visitor per group size
| 1 Visitor | 2 Visitors | 3 Visitors | 4+ Visitors |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAK 10,000,000 | LAK 7,000,000 | LAK 6,500,000 | LAK 5,500,000 |
Select your departure date
Itinerary
Please note that the itinerary below is approximate. Small change can occur as we are in remote and wild Laos and it is impossible to predict everything. However, please trust that the National Park guide will do the most to ensure you have the best possible wildlife experience.
Day 1: Travel inside the National Park. Night Safari.
At 8 am, depart from Muang Hiam to the tour starting point in Ban Son Koua, a small ethnic Khmu village, where you will meet your guide and the community ecotourism team.
The tour begins with a short walk around the village to learn about Khmu culture, followed by a 2-hour boat ride to the National Park, passing upland farms and enjoying birdwatching. Upon arrival at the camp, enjoy lunch and a presentation about the protected area.
In the afternoon, take a short hike to learn about the area’s history before continuing by boat deeper into the park. Enjoy a relaxing campfire dinner and discussions with the ecotourism team. After dark, embark on the highlight of the tour, - the nighttime wildlife spotting. Overnight in bamboo bungalows.
Day 1 Tour Itinerary
Morning
A minivan will meet you at your guesthouse in Muang Hiem around 8 am. After a 1.5-hour drive along a winding road through scenic mountainous landscapes, you will arrive at Ban Son Koua, an ethnic Khmu village, where the Nam Nern Night Safari tour begins.
Note if traveling from Phonesavan or Sam Neua, you can go directly to Ban Son Koua. All visitors should arrive at Ban Son Koua by 10 am for the tour start.
In Ban Son Koua, meet your National Park’s English-speaking guide, who will provide information about the park and translate insights from village wildlife spotters (former poachers) in Lao, Hmong, and Khmu languages.
At 10 am, the tour begins with a short village walk, where a local guide will introduce you to daily life and animist traditions. At around 11 am, embark on a 1.5-2-hour boat ride on the Nam Nern River towards the National Park’s Total Protection Zone and the tourism camp near the ranger substation. Along the way, you'll pass village upland farms and enjoy birdwatching as you approach the park boundary.
As we approach closer to the National Park, birdwatching opportunities will occur and you might spot Black Drongo, Crested Serpent Eagle, and various species of Kingfishers such as: Blyth’s Kingfisher, White-Throated kingfisher, Black-Capped Kingfisher and Common Kingfisher.
Afternoon
Once arrived at the tourism camp, enjoy Lao lunch prepared by the village cooking group. After lunch, National Park’s staff will share a presentation about the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park and the on-the-ground efforts in protecting wildlife. After, you will then be shown to your bamboo bungalows. Free time to relax at the camp.
Optional: The National Park’s guide will invite you on an optional jungle walk around the camp to learn about the use of medicinal plants and the history of the camp site, which was once a village. Depending on the ranger availability, the park substation can be visited to learn about the law enforcement work.
At late afternoon, the group takes the boat again to continue the journey upriver deeper inside the National Park. Enjoy birdwatching and the village wildlife spotters / boatmen might point out evidence of wildlife, such as tracks or scat if spotted at the riverbanks.
Dinner and Evening
The boats continue upriver to the dinner site, a sandy, flat bank, where visitors can swim and enjoy relaxing around a campfire while team prepares the dinner. After dinner, with the help of the National Park’s English-speaking guide discuss around a campfire with the wildlife spotters/former poachers. Great opportunity to ask all the questions that you might have! Afterwards, the village guide will introduce the species of animals that might be seen during the spotlighting and explain the rules and expectations for spotlighting.
The group departs for the night wildlife spotlighting once it is total dark, drifting silently down the river with the engines switched off. The wildlife guides and boatmen use their headlamp to spot wildlife. If they see something, they will give a clear sign. Then you can switch on your own flashlight to have a better look at the animal. Hence, tourists will have their flashlights switched off most of the time to avoid scaring animals. The wildlife spotter and boat drivers communicate via hand signals to avoid talking that might disturb the animals. Animals that can be seen include Sambar deer, barking deer, various species of Civets, Spotted Linsang, Otters, Slow Loris, Porcupines, Owls. Seeing wild cats and beers is very rare, but not impossible!
Night
Overnight in Lao style bungalows. Before falling asleep in your jungle bungalow, do not hesitate to spotlight around your bungalow as a Slow Loris, Civet or Sambar Deer can be just next to your jungle accommodation.
Day 2: Nature hike. Deeper inside the national park. Overnight camping.
On the second day of the Nam Nern River Safari, start with an early morning walk to spot wildlife, including birds and possibly a Sambar deer. After breakfast, enjoy a 2–3-hour nature hike, learning about local plants and bird species. After lunch, travel upriver deeper into the park for a relaxing evening by the river, with overnight camping in a remote, peaceful setting.
Day 2 Detailed Itinerary
Morning
Early wake up. If lucky, you might spot a Sambar Deer opposite the river from the camp. Do not hesitate to go on a short morning walk around the camp to spot some birds.
At around 7am enjoy breakfast. After breakfast, we will start a 2km long nature hike around the camp to learn more about the history of this area, the use of medicinal plants and to enjoy birdwatching. You might spot several bird species, including Black-throated Laughingthrush, Puff-throated Babbler, White-bellied Eponis, White-browed Scimitar Babbler, Red-billed Scimitar Babbler, Green-billed Makoha, Silver Pheasant and if lucky enough you will spot Oriental-Pied Hornbill. The hike will take around 2-3 hours and will end at the ranger substation.
Lunch-Afternoon
Back at the camp for lunch. After lunch, we will return upriver, even deeper inside the National Park than yesterday. After around a 1.5h boat trip, we will arrive at our tonight’s camp.
Enjoy free time by the river, swim and relax by a campfire while team sets the camp and prepares the dinner.
Evening – Night
Overnight in a simple, but comfortable tented camp by the river inside the Total Protected Zone of the National Park. Early night.
Day 3: Return
On the third and final day, rise early and, as the first light emerges, drift silently down the Nam Nern River for 2-3 hours with the engines off, enjoying the morning calm and searching for Sambar deer, Otters, and various bird species. After breakfast at the main Nam Nern River camp, return to the village. Fill out wildlife monitoring and feedback forms before bidding farewell to the ecotourism team. Arrive in Muang Hiam around noon.
Day 3 Detailed Itinerary
Morning
Rise early, before sunrise, and as the first light emerges, we will begin drifting silently down the Nam Nern River, with the engines off, much like during the night safari. For around 2-3 hours, enjoy the morning calm, and if lucky, you might spot Sambar deer, Otters, and various bird species. Breakfast at the main Nam Nern River camp. Followed return to the village.
Return
Upon arrival in the village around 9.30AM, you are invited to fill out a wildlife monitoring form that is used to monitor wildlife abundance and indicate the amount of bonuses put into the 14 Night Safari ecotourism village development fund from the tour costs (there is no extra fee for any seen wildlife).
Return to Muang Hiam at around 10 AM. After approximately 1.5-hour drive, around noon, you will arrive to Muang Hiam.
If you wish to continue to Phonsavanh or Sam Neua, transfer can be arranged to Kohing junction where a local bus passes by at around noon. To arrange this transfer, please inform us and your guide before the tour start.
-End of the Tour-
When in Hiam, we recommend enjoying lunch at a local restaurant and to spend the afternoon relaxing at the hot springs or exploring around the town.
What is included
- National Park’s Entrance Fee
- Village Entrance Fee
- Village Ecotourism Benefit Fund Fee
- District Office of Information, Culture & Tourism Fee
- National Park’s English-Speaking Guide
- Community Services: wildlife spotter, boatmen, cleaning, cooking, handicraft group
- Transportation between Muang Hiam and the Ecotourism Village.
- Boat Fee and Petrol
- Food and Water
- Sleeping Equipment.
- Life Jackets and Helmets
- Flashlights
- 15-20L Dry bags for your important personal items
Packing List
Bag note. Please bring just one small bag/backpack to the forest. You can leave large bags in the national park office, in the village or in your car.
Weather note. Weather can be both hot (30'c +) during the daytime and cold (below 10'c) at night. It is recommended that you bring clothes for both extremes.
Please pack the following items:
- Light rain, wind jacket.
- Warm fleece jacket.
- Both sun hat for daytime and Wool hat for night
- Long-sleeved shirts and trousers are most suitable
- Shoes for short walking and Sandals for the boat trip and bathing
- Clothes for bathing (shorts and t-shirt). Please, no nude/bikini bathing.
- Clothes for sleeping
- Insect repellent
- Snacks (Lao food is provided, but you might want to bring something to snack on)
- Towel and toiletries.
- Ear plugs. Boat engine and forest sounds at night can be quite loud.
- Reusable water bottle (help us to reduce waste)
Other Tours
24H TOUR
The pioneer wildlife tour in Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park. Travel by boat into the national park, spot wildlife, enjoy birdwatching and learn about the local history and culture. The highlight of this trip is a nighttime wildlife spotlighting: drift silently down the river looking for wildlife.
3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS
An extended version of the original Nam Nern Night Safari tour with additional morning river safari, a birdwatching hike and an opportunity to travel and overnight deeper inside the national park. More time for wildlife spotting, to enjoy the nature, and to relax.
2 days / 1 night
This out-and-back trek with an overnight at The Nests camp offers great birdwatching opportunities and a chance to spot wildlife at night from an observation tower located above a salt lick and near a ranger station.
3 days / 2 nights
A point-to-point version of The Nests tour. Trek higher, swim in pristine waterfalls and identify signs of wildlife along the trail with scenic views and a possibility to hear the critically endangered Northern White-Cheeked Gibbons at sunrise.
3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS
Trek up to the Phou Louey Mountain (elev.2257m) – the summit of the national park. No homestay experience. No Nest camp with wildlife observation tower.
4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS
Experience a homestay in an ethnic Khmu village bordering the national park prior to trekking up to the Phou Louey Mountain – the summit of the national park. No Nest camp with wildlife observation tower.
4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS
Immerse yourself fully in the wilderness by spending your entire time trekking through the national park, completing the full length of the trekking trail. No homestay experience.
5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS
Experience it all! Begin with a homestay in an ethnic Khmu village on the edge of the national park, then complete the full length of the national park's trekking trail.
FAQ
Answers to the Frequently Asked Questions. Should I book in advance? How to get to the park? Where to sleep in Muang Hiam? Where can I store my luggage? Who will be my guide? Do I need to be in good physical condition? Will I see wildilfe?