Coming to Ca Mau, visitors can join the tour to explore U Minh Ha National Park with many interesting activities. U Minh Ha Forest is an ideal eco-tourist destination suitable for those who love to explore nature, are adventurous and want to learn about the wetland ecosystem.
Introduction to U Minh Ha National Park
U Minh Ha National Park with an area of 8,527.8 ha was established on January 20, 2006, under the administrative boundary of 4 communes of 2 districts of Tran Van Thoi and U Minh, Ca Mau province. Located in the west of Ca Mau province, about 25km from Ca Mau city, taking more than 30 minutes by car, visitors will come to U Minh Ha National Park.
The outstanding feature is Melaleuca forest ecosystem formed in flooding conditions, on peatland, a typical tree of the Mekong Delta. On May 26, 2009, U Minh Ha National Park was recognized by UNESCO as one of the three zones of the Ca Mau World Biosphere Reserve.
The flora and fauna here are extremely rich and diverse: there are nearly 250 species of plants, 250 plant species, 182 bird species, 20 species of reptiles and amphibians, 40 species of mammals and many other insects. There are many species listed in the Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
The Grey-headed swamphen
With the stable and suitable ecological environment, birds and storks all gather here to breed, live and develop in large numbers. These are species such as Grey-headed swamphen, The black-crowned night heron, The Oriental darter, The lesser whistling duck, The black-necked crane… and many species of storks such as striated heron, scarlet ibis, black bittern, pteropus… including dozens of species of rare birds and animals recorded in the Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Red-crowned crane
U Minh Ha forest also has abundant aquatic resources, including many typical fish species in the Mekong Delta such as snakeheads, pangasius, bronze featherback, broadhead catfish … not only have biological value but also high economic value.
The re-emergence of many wildlife species such as wild boar, mustelidae, plagiopholis styani, monitor lizards, crocodiles … along with hundreds of existing animal species enriches the dynamic system objects of this forest.
What’s the best time to visit U Minh Ha National Park?
The weather in U Minh Ha is divided into two distinct seasons: dry season and rainy season. The dry season starts in May and ends in October, the rainy season lasts from November to April of the following year. According to U Minh Ha travel experience, visitors can visit and explore this National Park at any time of the year.
The rainy season is when the water level is high, making it easier to travel by boat around the mangrove forests. On the contrary, the dry season will be more favorable for sightseeing because it is sunny and there is no rain. If you want to come here to explore the ecosystem or take check-in photos, the dry season will be a more ideal time.
Things to do in U Minh Ha National Park
U Minh Ha is a large-scale National Park, coming here, you will experience many interesting activities, such as
Observatory tower
From Vo Doi hamlet, Tran Hoi commune, Tran Van Thoi district, the smooth and clean asphalt road, leading visitors to run through the observatory up to 24 meters high. Climb to the top, can see a cloudy sky, immense river and water on four sides, far away to the horizon.
From the forest gate of Vo Doi hamlet, Tran Van Thoi district – Ca Mau province, going along the main not far away, you will see an observatory tower. From here visitors can see the vast forest from above. The landscape of a river with immense canals, forests and fields is worth the trip to this place.
a view of U Minh Ha National Park
Take a boat to visit the mangrove forest
An active boat tour of the national park helps visitors experience true mangrove tourism. However, this service is only open seasonally, if the level of the weather is too low, this service won’t be offered. To be sure, you should contact the management before leaving.
Sailing on the Ca Mau River, you will see the extremely diverse and rich flora and fauna, there are animals in the Red Book.
Fishing or taking honey in the forest
You can rent a boat to go deep into the forest to fish. There are many natural fish species here because they are well protected, tourists can fish and cook right in the forest, and participate in some activities with local fishermen. You can also join with local people to catch eels, set to fish trap … pick ormocarpum cochinchinense, lotuses, and nymphaea…
In addition, when travelling to U Minh Ha forest, you can go with local people to collect wild honey. It would be an interesting experience while you have a great chance to explore nature and enjoy the honey.
What specialities does U Minh Ha have?
After the trip through the forest, sitting on a stilt house under the shade of the trees, and enjoying food will bring visitors to fully feel the wild but idyllic flavour of a river countryside.
grilled snakehead fish
Do not miss the Ca Mau style dishes such as grilled snakehead fish, hot pot sauce, braised eel, green bean porridge … or special dishes like a fried rat … The dishes here are processed in a rustic way that would make you feel missing.
Some notes when coming to visit U Minh Ha National Park
- If you go in the rainy season, remember to wear long clothes or bring insect repellent because there are many insects here, especially mosquitoes.
- Bring hats and umbrellas.
- Should call in advance if you want to experience the feeling of sailing to explore the forest.
- About sleeping overnight in U Minh Ha forest, there is no camping place or accommodation service here, so everyone comes to play and moves back to U Minh town or Ca Mau city to rest.
- Absolutely not fishing, killing rare animals in the forest as well as cutting trees, destroying the flora in U Minh Ha forest.
Contact of U Minh Ha National Park
– Address: Ap Vo Doi, Tran Hoi commune, Tran Van Thoi district, Ca Mau province
– Website: vuonqgumh.camau.gov.vn
Phone: 0290 3 910 020 or 0290 3 910 07
Hire a boat to travel 150,000 VND / person / h
Source: collected by An
