Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area
Houaphan
Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area spans over 4,100 square kilometers across three provinces in northern Laos, including Houaphan. Established as a national park in 2019, it features mountainous terrain with elevations from 400 to 2,257 meters. The park is named after the Nam Et River and Phou Louey Mountain, the latter meaning 'Forever Mountain.' It harbors diverse ecosystems such as dry evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, supporting a rich variety of flora and fauna. Endangered species once included tigers and leopards, though these have become locally extinct. The park is inhabited by several ethnic groups, including Tai Dam, Khmu, and Hmong communities. Visitors can explore the park via organized ecotourism tours, including the award-winning Nam Nern Night Safari and multi-day trekking adventures like The Nests and the Cloud Forest Climb. These tours provide opportunities to observe wildlife, explore medicinal plants, and experience the natural beauty of the region while supporting conservation efforts.
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Astuce: The best time to visit Nam Et-Phou Louey is during the dry season from November to April for easier trekking and wildlife viewing. Booking tours in advance through the park headquarters in Viengthong is recommended to secure spots on popular excursions like the Nam Nern Night Safari. Visitors should prepare for basic accommodation and bring suitable gear for hiking and outdoor activities. Discounts may be available for group bookings or longer tours. Respect for local communities and park regulations is essential to preserve the area's natural and cultural heritage.
Faits intéressants
- •The Nam Nern Night Safari tour won the World Responsible Tourism Award in 2013 and 2014.
- •Nam Et-Phou Louey encompasses portions of three forest ecoregions: Luang Prabang montane rain forests, Northern Indochina subtropical forests, and Northern Thailand–Laos moist deciduous forests.
- •Despite historical presence, tigers and leopards have been locally extinct in the park since 2013 and earlier, respectively.
- •The park is home to a diverse range of endangered species including Asian elephants, sun bears, and white-cheeked gibbons.
Histoire
Originally designated as a national protected area, Nam Et-Phou Louey was officially declared a national park in 2019.
The park's core area of 3,000 square kilometers prohibits human access and wildlife harvesting to protect biodiversity, while a buffer zone supports subsistence living for local villages.
Over time, the area has seen significant conservation efforts to protect endangered species and maintain its forests amid human activities.
The park headquarters and visitor center in Viengthong serve as the base for ecotourism and conservation management.
Guide du lieu
Nam Nern Night Safari
A 24-hour overnight boat tour along the Nam Nern River offering wildlife tracking, bird watching, nighttime spotting, medicinal plant exploration, and moderate hiking. This unique experience immerses visitors in the park's nocturnal ecosystem.
The Nests Trekking Tour
A two or three-day family-friendly hike featuring overnight stays in spherical baskets suspended in trees. Visitors can observe wildlife from an observation tower near the Poung Nyied salt lick, attracting animals like the rare Sambar deer.
Cloud Forest Climb Trekking Tour
A challenging four or five-day trek to the summit of Phou Louey, passing through evergreen forests and one of the region's few cloud forests. Tourists help maintain camera traps used to track elusive wildlife such as gibbons, bears, and wild dogs.