Kon Ka Kinh National Park

Kon Ka Kinh covers around forty thousand hectares in Gia Lai rising to 1,748 metres at the peak that names it, the highest point in the province, with evergreen forest and a substantial area of mixed conifer and broadleaf that is uncommon in Vietnam. It was made an ASEAN heritage park in 2003. Its most significant resident is the grey-shanked douc langur, a species endemic to a small area of the central highlands and classed as critically endangered, with one of its more substantial populations here. Bahnar communities live around the park. Trekking to the summit and to the Dak Pling falls runs with park guides.

Background

The park was established on November 25, 2002 over 417.8 square kilometres, with its centre in Ayun commune of Mang Yang District, 50 km northeast of Pleiku. The area had first been listed as a special forest on August 9, 1986, covering 280 square kilometres, to keep its high mountain subtropical forest and gymnosperms, and a bird sanctuary project with BirdLife International followed in 1999. Altitude runs from 570 m in the Ba River valley to 1,748 m. Natural forest covers 33,565 ha, 80% of the park, and about 20 square kilometres of broadleaf and conifer forest is mainly Pomu (Fokienia hodginsii). Surveys count 687 plant species and 428 animal species.

Source: Wikipedia, "Kon Ka Kinh National Park"

The landscape

• Gia Lai's highest point - Kon Ka Kinh at 1,748 metres.
• Mixed conifer and broadleaf - uncommon in Vietnam.
• The grey-shanked douc - critically endangered, endemic to this region.
• An ASEAN heritage park - designated in 2003.

When to go

November to April, the dry season. Two days.

Good to know

Guides and park arrangements are required. Seeing douc langurs takes time, patience and luck. Roads in are rough. Leeches, rain and heat are the conditions. Facilities are basic.

Nearby

K50 waterfall is north-east; Pleiku is south-west.

Key facts