[1 Day] Herping Tour in Ma Da – Dong Nai Nature Reserve (Adjacent to Ho Chi Minh City)

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[1 Day] Herping Tour in Ma Da – Dong Nai Nature Reserve (Adjacent to Ho Chi Minh City)

Total Seats :  0/0
Duration :   1 Day
Max People :    5
Age Range :   18-60
Embark on a journey of discovery with our herping tours in Ma Da Nature Reserve. Our initiative strives to preserve biodiversity through education, photography, and tourism. You’ll witness the fascinating natural world and replace fear with a fascination for amphibians or reptiles.
We offer both day trips and multi-day tours for herping enthusiasts. You’ll travel between different habitats and hotspots by car and primarily search for reptiles and amphibians on foot, both during the day and at night.
Ma Da Nature Reserve, part of the Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve, is known as the green lung of the Southeast, and a land containing legendary stories about a heroic history. It’s a primeval forest with tall woody trees creating a majestic and immense picture of this place. With over 50 species of Herps recorded in Ma Da Nature Reserve, including many species from Indochina and Sunda, you might even catch some interesting mammals and birds.
Our herping guides will adapt the itinerary based on your preferences and what we have already seen, local conditions, or a gut feeling. Notify us in advance about any specific target species/preferences, and we’ll prepare accordingly.

Itinerary: 1 day

12:30 to ± midnight):
We don’t have a standard itinerary since it depends on various factors, such as how many days you book and if there are any specific species you’d like to see. We’ll adapt the trip to increase our chances. Our herping guide will try their best to get the most out of your trip based on your preferences.
We use a car to move around throughout the park, visit different habitats and our favorite hotspots, and search for herps on foot. It tends to be more successful to intensively search several spots rather than hiking long distances on a single long trail. Please notify us in advance about specific target species/preferences during the correspondence prior to booking the tour.
There are NO restaurants on this park, so it’s better to bring some snacks with you. We’ll prepare lunch and dinner. After spending all our time herping, we’ll return to Ho Chi Minh City at midnight.

Extra Information about this Location

This tour start from Ho Chi Minh City, and Ma Da lies about 2 hours drive Northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. The area can be tricky to reach by public transport, so we recommend that we pick you up at Ho Chi Minh and then drive there.
The place is open year-round, and our herping tours can take off every day of the year as long as our guide is available. The wet season is probably the most consistent when it comes to producing good results, roughly from May to October, and much of November still benefits from the wet period before. December – January can be successful, but there is also the chance of periods with cold nights that significantly slow down the movement of species.
Ma Da Nature Reserve is home to a variety of amphibians and reptiles. Over 20 species of frogs have been recorded in the reserve, including the banded bullfrog, Asian common toad, and Vietnamese tree frog. There are also over 70 species of reptiles, including snakes like the Siamese spitting cobra, king cobra, and Malayan pit viper, as well as lizards such as the green crest-tailed lizard, bloodsucker gecko, and many more.
FOR THIS LOCATION WE CAN DO HERPING ALL YEAR ROUND, BUT RAINING SEASON IS GOOD FOR AMPHIBIANS.
Some amphibians and reptiles that can be found in Ma Da Nature Reserve
        1. Chinese water dragonfly (Physignathus cocincinus)
        2. Tokay gecko (Gekko gecko)
        3. Asian green vine snake (Ahaetulla prasina)
        4. Indo-Chinese spitting cobra (Naja siamensis)
        5. Many-spotted cat snake (Boiga multomaculata)
        6. Red-tailed pipe snake (Cylindrophis ruffus)
        7. Common bronzeback snake (Dendrelaphis tristis)
        8. Burmese python (Python bivittatus)
        9. Banded krait (Bungarus fasciatus)
        10. Asian rat snake (Ptyas korros)
        11. Rainbow water snake (Enhydris enhydris)
        12. Big-headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum)
        13. Brown tree frog (Polypedates megacephalus)
        14. White-lipped pit viper (Trimeresurus albolabris)
        15. Giant Asian pond turtle (Heosemys grandis)
        16. Four-lined tree frog (Polypedates leucomystax)
        17. Keeled box turtle (Cuora mouhotii)
        18. Yellow-spotted keelback (Xenochrophis flavipunctatus)
        19. Red-tailed bamboo rat snake (Oligodon sp)
        20. Reticulated python (Python reticulatus)

How much does a tour cost?

These are the rates (per person, per day) for our herping tour package based on your group size. Followed by a list of what is included. And feel free to check out our other packages in Ma Da, below.

Group size Rate per Person (USD)
1 390
2 220
3 180
4 160
5 140
6 120
Ages Reduction
4 to 12 years 70 % of Adult

 

Schedule Details

Ho Chi Minh - Ma Da Nr - Ho Chi Minh
12:30: Our team will pick you up from your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and drive towards the Ma Da Nature Reserve. The journey usually takes around 2 hours, depending on the traffic.
 
15:00: We start the herping tour by searching for day-life reptiles and amphibians in the area. Our experienced guide will take you to the best spots where you can observe these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat. Depending on the weather and other factors, we may have the chance to see different species of lizards, geckos, frogs, and snakes.
 
18:00: We will take a break and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in the area. You can try some of the delicious local dishes, which are usually made with fresh ingredients.
 
19:00 - 22:00: After dinner, we will start the night walk and continue our search for reptiles and amphibians. Many species are nocturnal, so the night walk is an excellent opportunity to see different types of snakes, frogs, and other herps. Our guide will lead you through the forest and point out any sightings.
 
23:00: The herping tour ends, and we will drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. We will drop you off at your hotel or any other location you prefer.
 
Note: The itinerary may be subject to change depending on various factors such as weather, traffic, and availability of certain species. Our goal is to provide the best herping experience possible while also ensuring the safety of our guests and the preservation of the wildlife in the Ma Da Nature Reserve.

F.A.Q

What is the best time of year for herping tours?

The best time of year for herping tours can vary depending on the location and the species you are looking for. In general, the warmer months tend to be more active for reptiles and amphibians, so spring and summer can be good times to go herping. However, some areas may have more success during the wet season when species are more active due to increased food availability. It's always a good idea to research the location you plan to visit and speak with a local guide to determine the best time to go herping.

What should I wear on a herping tour?

It's important to wear appropriate clothing and footwear on a herping tour. Long pants and sleeves can help protect against bites and scratches, and sturdy, waterproof footwear is essential for walking through rough terrain and wet environments. It's also a good idea to bring a rain jacket or poncho in case of inclement weather.

Are herping tours safe?

Herping tours can be safe as long as you follow safety guidelines and respect the animals and environment. It's important to be aware of potential risks such as venomous snakes and other dangerous wildlife and to listen to your guide's instructions on how to safely approach and handle animals. Additionally, it's important to stay on designated trails and avoid damaging the environment or disturbing wildlife.

What's Included

  • Entrance fees
  • Expert guide
  • Meals
  • Private car

What's Excluded

  • Other services not mentioned

Activities

  • Herping
  • Trekking

Why Book With Us?

  • Our experienced herping guides have an extensive knowledge of the local herpetofauna and will work hard to give you the best chance of encountering a variety of reptiles and amphibians.

Got a Question?

  • Experience a unique one-day herping tour in Ma Da Nature Reserve and explore the natural habitat of reptiles and amphibians. Join us for a thrilling adventure, and witness the fascinating natural world with your own eyes.
  • +84979022360
  • info@wanee.vn