Sa Mu & Bac Huong Hoa Birding Guie | Wildtour Vietnam
Rung Bach Ma
Tam Dao
Summary
Sa Mu Pass is a little-known birding area in north-western Quang Tri Province, within Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve and close to the Lao border. Its lowland and mid-montane evergreen forests form part of the Annamese Lowlands bird region and support a rich central Vietnamese avifauna, including a number of range-restricted and conservation-priority species. The pass rises to around 1,100 m and offers convenient roadside access to forest at several elevations, making it possible to combine montane and lower-elevation birding in a relatively compact area.
Birders come primarily for Annamite specialities such as Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush, Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler, Red-collared Woodpecker, hornbills and pheasants, while streams and mature forest may also produce difficult species such as Blyth's Kingfisher. Khe Sanh is the most practical base, with the upper pass reached by road in about an hour. A full morning at the higher elevations is worthwhile, but two days allow time to explore additional forest trails and lower slopes. Sa Mu is particularly valuable for experienced birders looking to add a less-visited Annamite site to a longer central Vietnam itinerary.
Click here to see the full bird checklist in Sa Mu – Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve
Most highlights
Edwards’s Pheasant, Siamese Fireback, Crested Argus, Coral-billed Ground Cuckoo, Blyth’s Kingfisher, Crested Kingfisher, Austen’s Brown Hornbill, Great Hornbill, Red-collared Woodpecker, Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler, White-cheeked Laughingthrush, Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush.
How to get there and birding?
From Khe Sanh town, you follow Ho Chi Minh Tay road about 50km in an hour by car to reach the highest point of the pass (1,100 meters above sea level). It is worth to spend at least full morning birding around this point where the Rufous-cheeked Laughingthush is commonly seen. If you have more time, explore several trails which hope to see mystery Edwards’s Pheasant... who know? Find a good stream habitat for scared Blyth's Kingfisher. Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler is fairly common at lower attitude (600-800m).
Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve
Where to stay
Many mini hotels are available in Khe Sanh town and Lao Bao town, one of the best choice is Thai Ninh hotel which is closest and biggest one.
Relevant tours
More infomation about birding sites in Vietnam:
- Mang Den – Kon Plong
- Da Lat Plateau
- Cat Tien National Park
- Yok Don National Park
- Tam Dao National Park
- Sa Pa - Fansipan Mt
- Cuc Phuong National Park
- Lo Xo Pass
- Bach Ma National Park
- Sa Mu - Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve
- Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park
- Tan Phu Forest (Thac Mai)
- Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve
- Mekong Delta