Just over a three-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City, this 2-day, 1-night adventure in Cat Tien National Park is the perfect weekend escape for families looking to spend meaningful time together in nature.
The journey includes a gentle forest trek, a visit to the picturesque Ta Lai Rice Fields, and a relaxing Sundowner experience at sunset. Parents and children will also explore the Cat Tien Nature Museum and Cat Tien Wildlife Rescue Centre, before sharing a traditional meal with a local Ma family to learn about the culture and daily life of the indigenous community living in the Park's buffer zone.
One of the highlights of the trip is an overnight camping experience in the heart of the national park. The campsite is fully prepared with comfortable raised beds, soft mattresses, and insect-protected tents, providing a safe and restful night's sleep for the whole family. Guests also have access to covered communal areas and modern restroom facilities. Set beside the Dong Nai river, the campsite offers a peaceful place to unwind, listen to birdsong, and enjoy the cool, fresh air of the rainforest.
As night falls, families will have the opportunity to observe wildlife such as Sambar deer, muntjacs, civets, and other nocturnal animals around the campsite using thermal cameras. For children, the journey is filled with hands-on opportunities to explore the outdoors, observe plants and birds, and learn how to recognise animal tracks and other signs of wildlife. Throughout the experience, our knowledgeable tour guides will share fascinating insights into the rainforest ecosystem, wildlife, and conservation in an engaging and family-friendly way.
For parents, this journey is a chance to step away from the demands of everyday life and spend quality time with their children. Whether trekking through the forest, watching the sunset over the Ta Lai Rice Fields or sharing dinner under the stars, these simple moments will create lasting memories and strengthen family bonds.
Designed with a relaxed pace and a balance of adventure, comfort and cultural experiences, this itinerary is ideal for families with children aged 6 and above. More than just a holiday, it is an opportunity to foster a child’s love for nature, inspire curiosity, and strengthen family bonds through shared adventures.
Morning: Journey to Cat Tien National Park
Your adventure begins in the morning as the Katien Safari team welcomes your family at the designated meeting point at Thiso Mall (10 Mai Chi Tho Street, An Khanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, on Hoang The Thien Street). From here, you'll enjoy a comfortable drive of just over three hours to Cat Tien National Park.
Upon arrival, check in to your riverside campsite nestled within Cat Tien National Park before enjoying a wholesome lunch featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients and local flavours. Afterwards, you'll have time to relax before the afternoon adventure.
Before setting off, your guide will introduce the itinerary, provide a safety briefing, and distribute any equipment needed for the trek.
Afternoon: Family Trek to the Ta Lai Rice Fields
At around 2:00 PM, your family will begin a leisurely 4-kilometre trek from Nui Tuong Ranger Station. Following mostly flat trails, the route is suitable for both adults and children, allowing everyone to enjoy the rainforest at a relaxed pace.
The trail follows the Dong Nai River through the restored forests of Ta Lai. Once heavily degraded, this area has been undergoing forest restoration since 1996 to help protect Cat Tien National Park's buffer zone. Today, it has become an important habitat for many species of wildlife.
Along the way, children can discover native trees, listen to the sounds of forest birds, observe insects, and learn about Cat Tien's remarkable biodiversity through engaging stories shared by their guide.
The trek also includes a stop at one of the Park's firebreaks - carefully maintained clearings that help prevent wildfires from spreading and protect the surrounding forest ecosystem.
As the trail opens up, the beautiful Ta Lai Rice Fields come into view. Covering more than 200 hectares, these paddies are cultivated by local farming families living in the Park's buffer zone.
Hundreds of towering dipterocarp trees rise among the rice fields, creating a distinctive landscape found nowhere else.
Evening: Sundowner at Ta Lai Rice Fields
As the late afternoon light softens over the Ta Lai Rice Fields, your family will pause for a signature Sundowner experience. Refreshing drinks and chilled towels, prepared by local Ma women, offer a welcome reward after the trek, creating the perfect moment to relax and soak in the tranquil beauty of the rice fields at sunset.
As the sky glows with the colours of sunset, you'll enjoy refreshments while learning about the traditions, culture and daily life of the Ma and S'tieng communities, whose connection to Cat Tien spans generations.
After the Sundowner experience, a vehicle will take the group back to the campsite for dinner and a well-earned rest.
Once night falls, the adventure continues with a guided wildlife observation session using thermal cameras. Unlike conventional cameras, these cameras detect heat rather than visible light, allowing wildlife to be observed without disturbance. A small glowing shape on the screen might reveal a Sambar deer grazing quietly nearby or a civet moving through the forest under the cover of darkness.
For children especially, this is an exciting opportunity to discover how conservationists and patrol rangers monitor wildlife in their natural habitat, turning an evening in the rainforest into an unforgettable learning experience.
Wake up to the peaceful surroundings of Cat Tien National Park and enjoy a slow morning immersed in nature. Families can take a leisurely stroll around the campsite, breathe in the fresh rainforest air, and listen to the chorus of birdsong. With a little luck, you may even spot wild visitors such as Green Peafowl, Sambar deer, or a variety of native bird species near the accommodation.
After breakfast, the journey continues with a visit to the Cat Tien Nature Museum, where families will discover the Park's history, remarkable biodiversity and unique ecosystems. Through engaging exhibits, specimens, and interactive stories, children and adults alike will gain a deeper appreciation of Cat Tien's rich natural heritage.
Next, you'll visit the Wildlife Rescue & Conservation Centre, where injured and rescued wild animals are rehabilitated before being released back into their natural habitat whenever possible. Guided by your tour leader, you'll learn about Cat Tien's conservation efforts and the vital role it plays in protecting Vietnam's biodiversity. Families will also have the opportunity to see several iconic and endangered species, including the yellow-cheeked gibbons, Asiatic black bears, and the great hornbills.
At midday, you'll visit a local Ma family's home to enjoy a traditional home-cooked lunch. Sharing a meal and conversation with your hosts offers an authentic glimpse into the culture, customs, and daily life of one of the indigenous communities living in Cat Tien.
After lunch, the group departs for Ho Chi Minh City. Arrival at the original meeting point is expected at approximately 6:00 PM, marking the end of a memorable two-day family adventure filled with nature, culture, and unforgettable discoveries.
Cat Tien National Park has two distinct seasons throughout the year: the dry season and the rainy season, each offering a different perspective of the forest ecosystem.
From December to May, the dry season brings warmer temperatures ranging from 25 to 35°C. The weather is generally pleasant, with plenty of sunshine, though it can be hotter around midday.
From June to November, the rainy season transforms the forest into a lush and vibrant landscape. This period is characterized by higher humidity and frequent rain showers, contributing to the richness and activity of the park’s biodiversity.
Each season reveals a unique side of Cat Tien, allowing visitors to experience the changing rhythms of the tropical forest. For the most accurate preparation, visitors are encouraged to check the latest weather updates through trusted sources such as AccuWeather before joining the adventure.
This itinerary is designed for families with children aged 6 and above who are in good health and accompanied by at least one parent or guardian throughout the journey. The activities are paced at a comfortable level, combining easy trekking, nature exploration, and hands-on experiences, making them enjoyable and accessible for the whole family.
Throughout the trip, Katien Safari's experienced guides and porters accompany and support your family every step of the way, ensuring a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience so you can focus on exploring, learning, and spending quality time together.
For safety reasons, guides reserve the right to adjust the itinerary, shorten activities, or arrange an early return if a guest encounters significant difficulties during the tour. In such cases, refunds or rescheduling will not be applicable.
Safety is always a top priority on all Katien Safari tours, for both guests and our staff. All activities are led by experienced guides who are familiar with the terrain, wildlife behavior, and operating conditions within Cat Tien National Park. Our team is regularly trained in first aid, field safety, and responsible wildlife practices to ensure a safe and well-managed experience.
As the tour takes place in remote forest environments, conditions can be unpredictable and access to medical facilities may be limited. For this reason, careful planning and risk management are essential at every stage of the journey. Guests are required to follow all instructions from guides and porters at all times to ensure both personal safety and the protection of the natural environment.
Cat Tien Ranger Patrol tours operate deep within the national park. While mobile phone signal is generally available, it can be inconsistent under the dense forest canopy. To ensure seamless coordination and guest safety, our team maintains constant contact via walkie-talkies throughout the journey.
The tour remains within accessible areas, allowing for efficient evacuation to the nearest access point in the event of an emergency. All communication and guided instructions are provided in both English and Vietnamese.
Katien Safari tours take place across a variety of forest terrains and changing weather conditions, so proper preparation is essential. Guests are required to wear appropriate clothing for safety and comfort while trekking through the jungle, moving on uneven ground, and spending extended time outdoors.
Long trousers and long-sleeved shirts are recommended to protect against insects, vegetation, and environmental exposure. A good pair of trekking shoes is essential, providing stability and comfort on forest trails. Guests are encouraged to use well-fitted footwear that they are familiar with, and to test their shoes before the trip.
To help you prepare for your family adventure in Cat Tien National Park, please bring the following essential items:
Essential clothing
Personal items
The tour price is 208 USD per person, which includes VAT, park entrance fees, and contributions to conservation and forest protection activities within Cat Tien National Park. The following services are included in the tour:
*Katien Safari is a brand operated by Oxalis Company Limited, and all services provided under this program are rendered by Oxalis.
20% off for returning guest & Xiều Oxalis in 2026
20% off for return guests & Xiều Oxalis (Applied for 2026)
