Protect Tigers
in Phou Loi Nam Et National Protected Area

Nam Nern Night Safari, “Wildlife Conservation Society” (WCS) project in tourism

A 3-4 day wildlife exploration program

Laos is known for it’s rich beautiful nature and high biodiversity, especially in the border region to Vietnam. To save this, several national protected areas (NPA) were set up around the country. One is the Nam Et Phou Loi protected area in Houapanh and Luang Prabang Province in Laos, near the border to Vietnam.

Since 2002 the WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) monitors the number of tigers, leopards and other endangered species in the area and established a tourism program called “Nam Nern Night Safari”, to give visitors a unique wildlife experience and an insight into their conservation work. The starting point of the journey is the small town Vieng Thong, located in the peripheral of the protected area in the small valley of the Nam Khan river.

From Nong Khiaw it is a scenic 4 hour ride through mountainous landscapes, passing small villages and breathtaking sunrise views in the early morning hours. To reach the starting point for the Nam Nern Night Safari program of the (WCS), Longtail boats will bring the visitors from the village of BanSon Khua upstream to the jungle camp in the core zone of the protected area. Along the way you might already see some lizards and birds and maybe also a dear.

The camp is an idyllic place at the riverbank where visitors stay in open bamboo bungalows in the middle of lush jungle vegetation. After a lao lunch, visitors are taken further upstream to see a salt leak spot where camera photo traps are installed to take pictures of the animals coming through. With a bit of luck, there’s a Leopard or even a Tiger on the pictures!

A highlight is the BBQ on a riverbank within the core zone of the protected area, where delicious food and lao stories are told by the boat men at the camp fire. The day ends with the breathtaking night safari, where the boats drift downstream the river without engines on. It really is a special experience as you melt into nature…and become part of it. The only light, besides the impressive starlit sky, is the torch of the boat man looking for animals coming down to the river in the evening hours.

The next day after breakfast, the guides will take you on a hidden trek to historical sites in the jungle and explain about jungle herbs and the use of plants. The trip can be extended with another activity day in the forest and jungle areas of the protected reserve.