The Nam Nern Night Safari is a 24-hour boat-based tour into the core of the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park in northeastern Laos. It is one of the few opportunities in Laos to view rare wildlife, such as Sambar Deer, Civets, Asian Golden Cat, Leopard Cat, Python and many more. The trip also supports alternative livelihoods for local people and generates community support for wildlife conservation.
The tour starts from Ban Son Koua, a Khmu village, where you can learn about the daily life and the animist traditions of the villagers. Then you embark on a 1.5-2 hour journey on the Nam Nern River by long-tail boat to the tourism camp located nearby the ranger substation. You can enjoy a campfire dinner and then drift back downstream, spotlight-searching for wildlife along the way. You overnight in a comfortable bamboo bungalow in the ecolodge, overlooking the river from the forest edge. The next day, you can join an optional hike around the camp to learn about medicinal plants and the history of the area.
The Nam Nern Night Safari has won the World Responsible Tourism Award in 2013 and 2014 for its innovative and adventurous design. It is a great way to experience the natural beauty and biodiversity of Laos while also contributing to the local community and wildlife protection.
