Nam Nao National Park

Nam Nao covers about 970 square kilometres of the Phetchabun plateau at 700 to 1,200 metres, and the vegetation is unusual for Thailand: open pine savanna, with Pinus merkusii standing over grass, mixed with dry evergreen and dipterocarp forest. Because the area was inaccessible during the communist insurgency until the early 1980s, the forest escaped much of the logging that stripped comparable country elsewhere, and it is regarded as among the better-preserved habitat in the north-east. Elephants, gaur, sambar and barking deer are present and there are salt licks with hides, though sightings need patience and luck. Phu Kum Khao cave holds a large bat colony that streams out at dusk. Camping and bungalows are available at the headquarters. Nights on the plateau are cold in the dry season - single figures - which catches visitors out, and the park is quiet compared with anywhere near Bangkok.

What you actually see

• The pine savanna - Merkus pine over grassland, unusual in Thailand.
• The preserved forest - protected by inaccessibility until the 1980s.
• The wildlife hides - salt licks with elephants, gaur and deer, with patience.
• Phu Kum Khao cave - the bat colony streaming out at dusk.

When to go

November to February for the weather; nights are cold, into single figures. The bat emergence is at dusk. Wildlife is most active early and late.

Honest expectations

Cold at night in the dry season - bring warm clothing. Wildlife sightings require hides, patience and luck rather than a drive-through. Facilities are basic. Foreign entry fees are higher than Thai.

Nearby

Khao Kho and Phu Thap Boek are east; Phu Hin Rong Kla is north.