How to Birding in Mang Den – Ngoc Linh Np. [updated 2025]

Birding in Mang Den

Mang Den is surrounded by montane evergreen forests, making it an ideal place for bird havens. Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush, a recently discovered near-endemic, is one of the main highlights for birders. It also shares a few specialties with Dalat Plateau, such as Indochinese Wren-babbler, Black-hooded Laughingthrush, Grey-crowned Crocias, and Yellow-billed Nuthatch.

Other notable species that birders can be encountered in Mang Den include the Pale-capped Pigeon, Austen’s Brown Hornbill, Stripe-breasted Woodpecker, Rusty-naped Pitta, Ratchet-tailed Treepie, White-winged Magpie, Rufous-faced Warbler, Grey-crowned Tit, Grey-headed Parrotbill, and Pale Blue-flycatcher.

Birding in Ngoc Linh Np.

Recently, the motane evergreen forest in Ngoc Linh national park has been easier to reach thanks to road improvements. Basic guesthouses are now available at Tu Mo Rong, about a 1.5-hour drive from the the birding spots, while more comfortable stays can be found in Dak to, about a 3-hour drive away.

Around 2,000 meters in elevation, the birding here is fantastic, especially the Golden-winged Laughingthrush. This area is also home to many high-altitude species, including Ashy Wood-pigeon, Eye-ringed Shrike-babbler, Annam Golden-breasted and Indochinese Fulvettas, Black-eared Parrotbill, Red-tailed Laughingthrush, Brownish-backed Sibia, Red-tailed, Blue-winged, and Bar-throated Minlas, Black-crowned Barwing, Yellow-billed Nuthatch, and both Purple and Green Cochoas.

Tip: Travel to both site would take quite much time, so it’s better to plan a combined trip to make the most of your visit and reduce costs.

What to see?

In Mang Den

Biodiversity in Mang Den

Mang Den is one of the biodiversity hotspots within Vietnam’s Central Highlands, located in Kong Plong district, Kontum province. The region is well-known for its montane evergreen forest, providing homes to diverse types of plants and animals. Especially, Mang Canh Forest remains largely intact along local road 676 despite being affected by a dam project.

Mang Den is also a part o Kontum Plateau Endemic Bird Area (EBA), making it home to several rare and specialized species. One of the most distinctive birds is the Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush, first described in the late 1990s and can only be found on the Kontum Plateau.

Bird fauna in Mang Den

The town itself is a mix of pine-broadleaf forests, where many birds can be encountered, such as Black-hooded Laughingthrush, Red-vented Barbet, Silver-breasted Broadbill, Silver Pheasant, Blue Pitta, Rufous-faced Warbler and Tits. The Mang Canh forest is the best spot for Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush. While Rusty-naped, Blue and Blue-rumped Pittas can be hardly founded, the Brown Hornbill, White-winged Magpie, Rachet-tailed Treepie are along the main road.

Most highlights in Mang Den

Pale-capped Pigeon, Northern Brown Hornbill, Stripe-breasted Woodpecker, White-winged Magpie, Ratchet-tailed Treepie, Pale Blue Flycatcher, Grey-crowned Tit, Rufous-faced Warbler, Grey-headed Parrotbill, Indochinese Wren-babbler, Chestnut-eared Laughingthrush, Black-hooded Laughingthrush, Grey-crowned Crocias, Rufous-backed Sibia, Grey-faced Warbler

In Ngoc Linh National Park

Tumorong  – Mang Ri and Ngoc Lay

There are two different birding spots in this area, so you have to stay overnight in a newly established town, Tu Mo Rong, to visit both. From there, you can drive to a new road construction leading to Mang Ri commune. Please note that the area is new, so security is not guaranteed. However, once you arrive, there are a lot of things for you to explore and enjoy.

The Golden-winged Laughingthrush is one of the most desired-spotted birds in the area. Although it is not commonly seen along the road, a short climb to around 1,800 meters will make it easier to spot. On the contrary, the Black-crowned Barwing is quite common in the area. Interestingly, the Grey-crowned Crocias, which are believed to be limited to the Da Lat area, can also be found here.

Back on Road 20B, which leads to Tam Ky – Quang Nam, driving for about 10 km, you will reach Ngoc Lay commune. From there, taking another 2 km to enjoy the beautiful forests at 1,600 meters, you can easily spot the Red-tailed Laughingthrush and Green-tailed Sunbird.

While, the Cutia here is still unidentified, whether it’s the Himalayan or Vietnamese variety, you can also find the Grey-headed Parrotbill, which is different from the Black-headed Parrotbill found in Da Lat, along with the Green Shrike-babbler, Crested Argus (heard only), Rusty-naped Pitta, Blue Pitta, Silver Pheasant, and many other species still waiting to be uncovered.

The best time for birding in Mang Den – Ngoc Linh Np.

“The best time for birding in Mang Den & Ngoc Linh Np. is from February to May when it is not much rain and in the migratory time”

Noted that it will be cool, so you should prepare for clothing

Tips for birding in Mang Den – Ngoc Linh Np.

Transportation

You can use the map HERE to helps you to find your way. It would take you about 3 hours to travel by private car from Pleiku airport. If you are on a combined trip with Lo Xo, you should drive from Da Nang and stay overnight in Kham Duc, or do the trip in reverse.

Accommodations

Nowadays, there are many hotels in Mang Den, and our recent stay was at Hoa Sim one. For birding in Ngoc Linh, bạn can only stay at a small, basic guesthouse in Tu Mrong, then leave early in the morning to reach the birding spot.

The best tour cover Birding in Mang Den – Ngoc Linh