Tag Archives: Trails

Animal & Birds watching in Khao Yai park


pictures@khao YaiNews.com News & Wildlife photography Khao Yai


Animal Observing

Khao Yai park is home for 112 species of mammals, 392 species of birds and 200 reptiles and amphibians. It is internationally important for the conservation of globally threatened and endangered mammal, bird and reptile species, among them 19 that are vulnerable, four that are endangered, and one that is critically endangered. The area contains substantial and important tropical forest ecosystems, which can provide a viable habitat for the long-term survival of these species.

Grasslands areas of the park are  covered in elephant and lalang grasses, which provide  opportunities to observe sambar and barking deer. There are also civets, pig-tailed macaques, the vulnerable Pileated Gibbon, white-handed gibbons, shrews, bats, Asiatic black bears,  wild dogs, fishing cats, hog badgers, binturong, Malayan sun bears, slow loris, mouse deer, gaur, serow, giant black squirrels, giant porcupines, hares, reticulated pythons, Siamese cobras, green tree vipers, monitor lizards, skinks, flying Draco lizards, clouded leopards, regular run-of-the-mill leopards, marbled cats and apparently even tigers, and one of Thailand’s largest herds of wild elephants roams the jungle and crosses its roads.

In the park guides can help visitors in sighting animals,  animal watching with parks staff at night is also possible.

Animal Observing Tower

Observing Tower is a place for travelers hiding themselves for observing animals. There are two towers enable from 06.00 a.m. to 06.00 p.m. as follows
Nong Phug She Tower Locating near Nong Phug Shee pond which is the source of water for many kinds of animal, and walking about one kilometer from Km. 35-36 Thanarat Road, Nong Phug She Tower has vastly cogon grass field and salt lick for animal.
Mo Sing To Tower Locating near Mo Sing To pond which is the source of water for many kinds of animal, opposite reservoir up the hill from the headquarters and restaurants between 500 metre.

Birding Trail

Khao Yai is one of the best birding places. You can found over 390 species of resident and migratory birds, including: the endangered Spot-billed Pelican and critically endangered Greater Adjutant. Great and Wreathed hornbills, Barbets, Scarlet Minivet, Trogons, Broadbills, Pitas, Pigeons, Mountain scops-Owl, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Collared Owlet, Blue-winged leaf bird, Asian Fairy bluebird, Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, Green Magpie, 3 species of laughing thrush and many types of Bulbuls. In Khao Yai there is also  Silver Pheasants, Scaly breasted Partridges, Red Junglefowl and Siamese Fierback. Near the rivers and ponds we may find White-throated Kingfisher, Prinia, Zitting cisticola and many more.

You can found many of those around the park headquarters. Bird watching can also be done on the sides of the road and around the old golf course. Head out for Trail # 2 toward Khao Khiew mountain, where you will find evergreen forest above 1,000 m.

Observation towers at Nong Pak Chee or Mo Sing. Early morning is the best time to view the Great Hornbills, guar, and sometimes elephants. Gibbons are most active in the early morning.

At about 5:30 at night thousands of wrinkled lipped bats emerge from a cave 3 km outside the northern gate to begin night time feeding. The bats fly in a ribbon pattern across the sky.

Patience is needed,good binoculars and a bird guide help is best.

(source Department of national parks)

Links:
Check fantastic pics of Khao Yai wildlife  in Khao Yai news.com, a great website about wildlife photography by a group of nature lovers and wildlife photographers.
http://www.khaoyainews.com/

Treks & Hikings

our resort is located in khao yai, khao yai national park is listed as unesco world heritage site

Khao Yai view@kawpodmd

Remember if you walk a relatively long trail  inform the office ahead. For all overnight treks in the jungle you must inform the park office, and walk with a park’s ranger. Check the local weather forecasts and conditions before heading to a trek or hike in a park.

Trekking is the best way to enjoy parks in Asia such as Khao Yai to really spot wildlife and enjoy tropical forest.

Rainy season is one the best time to enjoy trekking in Thai national parks as well, nature is awake, and waterfalls runs fully as most of them would be very dry other parts of the year.

“Rainy season in Thailand runs between May to October, trekking through the forest during this time doesn’t drain much energy since the weather is not sweltering. But many people are unwilling to explore the jungle during the rainy time since the entire area is rather slippery and wet.  In evergreen forest it is fraught with blood-sucking leeches eagerly waiting ofr their victims. But all of these natural difficulties make the journey a memorable experience. Certainly obstacles scatter in every nook and cranny, but they will also bring them a challenging experiences. For a part of you enjoyable episode you should follow these recommendations.

1. To prevent water, always take a fly sheet that can serve as a temporary roof. Also bring a light-weight raincoat that can serve as the fly sheet in case of urgency. Cloths and other stuff should be put into plastic bags first before packing then in your backpack. Shoes made of Gore-tex material are suitable for trekking since they are 100% waterproof, hence making the shoes dry and ventilated well.

2. comfortable and lightweight clothes made from synthetic fiber are recommended. Cotton textile is unsuitable since it absorbs water and dries so slowly.

3. Search for perfect and safe location to make camp. do not make camp in a water course or under the canopy of big tree since broken twigs and branches might fall down. Beside fly sheet should be stretched out. Drainage ditches should be dug around the camping area.

4. Be careful of poisonous creatures like scorpions, centipedes and snakes. These animals always seek refuge in dry areas such as in the tents, sleeping bags and shoes. Please check thoroughly before using these stuff. sprinkling insecticides ( DDT is available in Thailand and work best) or lime powder around the tent setting might help.

All tourist should bear in mind that they all are responsible for keeping the natural world be just like before we step in.

Be careful while playing or swimming in a fall. Be accompanied while strolling around the area. Inform the officials if wanting to go trekking since getting lost in the jungle, falling down, being attacked by wild animals and hitting by swift rapids can occur at all time.”

Source: Department of national parks

And don’t forget to buy the trek and trails guidebook at the park headquarters for more informations about trails and options.

Trekking Trail
These trails involve one to three days trekking and camping around Khao Yai. For more information, refer to ‘Khao Yai National Park Trekking Trails and Adventure activities in and around Khao Yai’ guidebook. [Ask at the parks office to purchase a copy].

Hiking trail
There are 6 Hiking Trails which are about 2-8 kilometers and 1-5 hours of walking. Travelers have to ask for permission from the park’s officer before taking a trip.

Natural Trail
This trail, leading to Kong Kaeo Waterfall, includes interpretative information for those wishing to understand more about the forest they are visiting.
The Kong Kaew Nature Trail, which begins behind the Visitor’s Centre, introduces the hiker to the flora of Khao Yai. It can be walked comfortably
in a half hour along a trail that crosses a swinging bridge, runs along the riverbank and passes Kong Kaew Waterfall.

(source: Thai Department of Natural Parks)