Designed for families seeking meaningful adventures in nature, this three-day, two-night journey offers an immersive exploration of Cat Tien National Park - one of Vietnam's most biodiverse protected landscapes. Combining soft adventure, wildlife encounters, conservation experiences, and cultural discovery, the itinerary invites parents and children to slow down, reconnect with nature, and explore one of Vietnam's richest ecosystems together.
The adventure takes families through some of Cat Tien's most remarkable ecosystems. Trek beneath towering rainforest canopies, wander across the open rice field of Ta Lai, enjoy a sunset Sundowner surrounded by nature, and camp beneath the stars in the heart of the national park. The highlight of the tour is a trek to Bau Sau (Crocodile Lake), a Ramsar-listed wetland and home to Vietnam's largest wild population of Siamese crocodiles. Along the way, every trail becomes an opportunity to observe wildlife, learn about different forest ecosystems in Cat Tien, and experience the wonder of the natural world as a family.
The journey also provides a deeper understanding of conservation in action. Guided by experienced park rangers and local experts, families will visit the Cat Tien Nature Museum and the Wildlife Rescue Centre to discover how endangered species are protected and native ecosystems are restored. A visit to a local Ma family's home, where guests share a traditional meal together, offers an authentic introduction to the culture, traditions, and forest heritage of one of Cat Tien's indigenous communities.
Accommodation is thoughtfully designed to bring families closer to nature without compromising comfort. For two nights, guests stay in elevated safari-style tents nestled within the national park. Each tent is equipped with comfortable mattresses, sleeping bags, insect screens, and essential amenities, while the campsite features sheltered communal areas, restroom facilities, and a peaceful riverside setting. After sunset, the forest comes alive as families join their guide for a thermal camera wildlife observation experience, listening to the calls of nocturnal animals and discovering the hidden life of the rainforest after dark.
Throughout the trek, children learn through direct experience - identifying plants and wildlife, developing outdoor skills, and gaining a deeper appreciation for indigenous culture and biodiversity. For parents, the journey offers a rare opportunity to disconnect from daily routines, share meaningful moments, and watch their children build confidence, curiosity, and resilience in the natural world.
Carefully paced for families with children aged 6 and above, the itinerary balances adventure with relaxation, active exploration with quiet moments, and wildlife encounters with cultural experiences. More than a holiday, it is an opportunity to strengthen family connections while inspiring the next generation to value and protect the natural world.
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: Thiso Mall, 10 Mai Chi Tho Street, An Khanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City (Hoang The Thien Street entrance). From here, you'll travel approximately three hours to Cat Tien National Park, leaving the city behind as the landscape gradually transforms into lush tropical forest.
Upon arrival, families will check in to the riverside campsite nestled within the national park before enjoying a leisurely lunch featuring authentic local cuisine. This is a chance to relax, settle into your surroundings, and prepare for the adventures ahead.
Before setting out into the forest, your guide will provide a comprehensive trip briefing, introducing the itinerary, sharing essential safety guidelines, and preparing the necessary equipment for the journey. Whether it's your child's first rainforest adventure or another family trek together, every detail is designed to ensure a safe, comfortable, and memorable experience.
Afternoon: Trek to Ta Lai Rice Field
At around 2:00 PM, the family adventure begins from Nui Tuong Ranger Station, following a scenic trail along the banks of the Dong Nai River. As the path winds through different forest habitats, your guide will introduce the unique ecosystems of Cat Tien National Park, sharing fascinating stories about native plants, wildlife, and the subtle signs animals leave behind. Along the way, children are encouraged to observe, ask questions, and experience the rainforest through hands-on exploration.
The trek continues through the Ta Lai Forest, a restored woodland established in 1996 as part of a long-term effort to regenerate the buffer zone surrounding Cat Tien National Park. Nearly three decades later, the once-degraded landscape has matured into a thriving forest that now provides habitat for birds, insects, and a growing diversity of wildlife - an inspiring example of nature's resilience and successful ecological restoration.
Emerging from the forest, families arrive at the expansive Ta Lai Rice Field, where local communities cultivate rice and other seasonal crops along the Park's buffer zone. Scattered across the landscape stand hundreds of towering dipterocarp trees that have grown naturally for decades, their massive trunks and broad canopies creating a striking contrast against the open fields. Here, surrounded by open rice fields and towering dipterocarp trees, families can pause to observe the harmony between nature and local livelihoods while enjoying one of Cat Tien's most scenic landscapes.
Evening: Sundowner Experience with the Ma Community & Nocturnal Wildlife Discovery
As the afternoon fades into evening, families gather at Ta Lai Rice Field for a relaxing Sundowner experience. Surrounded by golden rice fields and towering dipterocarp trees, parents and children can unwind with refreshing drinks while watching the sun set over the peaceful countryside. During this special moment, your guide will share stories about the Ma and S'tieng communities, offering insight into their traditions, farming practices, and the deep connection they have maintained with the forests of Cat Tien for generations.
After sunset, the group returns to the riverside campsite, where families can freshen up before enjoying a dinner featuring regional specialties in the tranquil setting of the national park.
As darkness settles over the forest, the adventure continues with a guided wildlife observation experience around the campsite. Using professional thermal cameras, your guide will search for nocturnal mammals without disturbing them with bright lights, allowing wildlife to behave naturally in their environment. With a little luck, families may spot Sambar deer, muntjacs, civets, porcupines, and other forest inhabitants beginning their nightly activities.
For children, this is often one of the most memorable moments of the trek - moving quietly through the darkness, listening to the sounds of the rainforest, and sharing the excitement of discovering wildlife in its natural habitats.
The day begins with breakfast in the peaceful surroundings of Cat Tien National Park. As the rainforest gradually comes to life with birdsong, families can enjoy the fresh morning air before setting off to explore one of the Park's most remarkable wilderness areas - Bau Sau (Crocodile Lake).
At around 9:00 AM, the group departs from Nui Tuong Ranger Station and travels to the trailhead leading into Bau Sau. From here, families embark on a 5-kilometre rainforest trek, following shaded trails beneath towering centuries-old trees. Along the way, your guide will introduce the fascinating ecology of the forest, helping guests identify animal tracks, recognize bird calls, and discover the diverse plant species that make Cat Tien one of Vietnam's richest biodiversity hotspots. As the vegetation changes throughout the trek, families gain a deeper understanding of how different forest habitats support an extraordinary variety of wildlife in Cat Tien.
Upon arrival at Bau Sau Ranger Station, the group enjoys a well-earned lunch before taking time to rest and soak in the tranquil atmosphere of the wetland. Recognised as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, Bau Sau is home to Vietnam's largest wild population of Siamese crocodiles, with more than 600 individuals living in this protected ecosystem. Rangers will share the remarkable conservation story behind the species' recovery and explain the ongoing efforts to safeguard one of Southeast Asia's rarest crocodiles. With a little luck, families may also observe waterbirds and other wildlife thriving within this internationally significant wetland.
After lunch, there is time to relax, appreciate the peaceful scenery, and enjoy the unique landscape before beginning the return journey.
At around 2:00 PM, families trek the 5-kilometre forest trail back through the rainforest. The route passes beneath a dense tropical canopy where giant lianas weave between ancient trees, creating one of the Park's most spectacular forest landscapes. Along the way, guests will encounter the magnificent 400-year-old Tung Tree, one of Cat Tien National Park's most iconic natural landmarks and a living witness to centuries of forest history.
By approximately 4:30 PM, the vehicle returns the group to the riverside campsite. After dinner, families can unwind and reflect on the day's adventures before joining another guided thermal wildlife observation around the campsite. Every evening in Cat Tien offers something different, and the anticipation of quietly searching for nocturnal wildlife makes each outing a memorable moment. Whether it's the glowing silhouette of a deer, the movement of a civet through the trees, or simply the chorus of the rainforest after dark, these moments often become lasting highlights for both children and adults alike.
The final morning begins at a relaxed pace, giving families time to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Cat Tien National Park. You can sip a cup of coffee by the riverside campsite, take a leisurely stroll through the surrounding forest, and soak in the sounds of the rainforest one last time. With a little luck, green peacock-peafowl, sambar deer, or other wildlife may make an early morning appearance near the campsite.
After breakfast, the journey continues to the Cat Tien Nature Museum, where families discover the story of Cat Tien, from its geological history and diverse ecosystems to the remarkable plants and animals that call it home. Through an engaging collection of specimens, exhibits, and interpretive displays, children and adults alike gain a deeper understanding of the Park's extraordinary biodiversity and the importance of protecting it for future generations.
The next stop is Cat Tien Wildlife Rescue Centre, where injured, trapped, and rescued wild animals are rehabilitated before being released back into their natural habitat. Guided by your tour leader, families will learn about the challenges facing Vietnam's wildlife and the ongoing conservation efforts that make Cat Tien National Park one of the country's leading biodiversity strongholds. For children especially, this visit offers an inspiring opportunity to see how conservation works beyond the forest trails.
At midday, the group visits the home of a local Ma family to enjoy a traditional home-cooked lunch. More than just a meal, this cultural experience provides a glimpse into the customs, daily life and enduring relationship between the indigenous community and the forests they have called home for generations.
After lunch, the return journey to Ho Chi Minh City begins. The group is expected to arrive back at the original meeting point at approximately 6:00 PM. As the journey comes to an end, families return home with a deeper understanding of Cat Tien's wildlife, forests, and conservation efforts, along with a new perspective on the natural world.
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 340 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)
