About Yok Don National Park
Established in 1992, Yok Don National Park is Vietnam’s second-largest national park and the only one featuring dry deciduous forests. This unique ecosystem is home to an impressive diversity of wildlife, with over 850 plant species, 300 bird species, and 89 mammal species, including endangered animals such as wild elephants, gaurs, and wild buffalo. Unfortunately, deforestation, hunting, and illegal wildlife trade have led to a sharp decline in many species, with 32 of them now listed in the IUCN Red Book.
The park spans across Dak Lak and Dak Nong provinces, stretching to the Cambodian border, where it connects with protected forest areas. Due to this cross-border habitat, many animals migrate between the two countries, making Yok Don an important conservation area. Its landscape transforms dramatically with the seasons—during the dry season (November–April), the trees shed their leaves, creating an open and golden landscape, while in the wet season (May–October), heavy rains bring lush greenery back to life.
- Location: Krông Na, Buôn Đôn District, Đắk Lắk Province
- Opening times: All day
- Website: http://yokdonnationalpark.vn/
Vietnam’s first ethical elephant experience
Elephants in Vietnam
Once, thousands of wild elephants roamed Vietnam, but today, only around 114 remain, according to Animals Asia. In the Central Highlands, ethnic groups like the Ede and M’nong traditionally captured and trained elephants for heavy labor, using them for transport and carrying goods.
When modern transport replaced them, elephant tourism—including riding and bathing experiences—became common, particularly in Dak Lak Province. However, in Yok Don National Park, a new approach has emerged, where—for the first time—the elephants’ well-being takes priority over tourist activities.
Elephants in Yok Don National Park
With support from Animals Asia, Yok Don National Park became Vietnam’s first ethical elephant tourism destination in October 2018, when it ended its elephant riding programs. Instead of being used for work or entertainment, four elephants—one male and three females—were released from their previous duties and now roam freely under the supervision of their mahouts. Each elephant has a dedicated mahout who ensures their safety and keeps them within the national park’s protected area. These elephants, once used for carrying materials and tourists, now experience a life of freedom in their natural habitat.
However, Yok Don National Park is also home to wild-born elephants, which have never been domesticated. These elephants roam deep within the park’s forests, living independently as they have for centuries. Spotting a wild elephant is rare, as they tend to avoid human contact, but they are still present in the park’s vast wilderness. Unlike the released elephants, these truly wild individuals are also much more unpredictable and potentially dangerous, making them difficult to track. Their presence highlights Yok Don’s importance as one of the last refuges for Vietnam’s remaining wild elephant population.
Activities in Yok Don National Park
To make the most of your visit to Yok Don National Park, there are plenty of activities that allow you to experience its diverse landscapes, wildlife, and local culture. Whether you prefer exploring the forest on foot, cycling through scenic trails, or gliding along the river, there are many ways to immerse yourself in this unique natural environment. Below are some of the best ways to discover Vietnam’s second largest national park.
1. Elephant tour
You have two different elephant tours; half day and full day tour. This guided forest trek brings you to the site where the elephant with his mahout were last spotted. The park rangers and guides will tell you more about the life of the elephants and show how they track down the elephants by means of the tracks left behind. When you find them, it is a unique moment when you first encounter the elephants in the jungle.
2. Trekking
Explore the stunning natural beauty of Yok Don National Park and learn about the mysteries of the precious flora and fauna that exist in this unique ecosystem. Tailor-made walking tours take you to waterfalls and streams where you can swim, while a guide can point out medicinal plants and decipher the various bird sounds that reverberate in the forest. Whether you opt for a day hike or an overnight trek, a park guide is mandatory as the Cambodian border cuts through the park.
3. Camping
For a true wilderness experience, combine trekking with an overnight camping trip in the heart of Yok Don National Park. Spend the night surrounded by nature, listening to the sounds of the forest while camping under the stars. Campfires, traditional meals, and the peaceful atmosphere of the national park make this an unforgettable adventure. A guide is required for camping trips, ensuring a safe and immersive experience deep inside the park’s untouched landscapes.
4. Boat trips
The mighty Serepok River runs 332 km through Yok Don and then flows to Cambodia where it joins the Mekong River. Cruise along this majestic waterway for an hour to take in the splendor of the river and combine the cruise with bird watching, sunset tours or any time of day to soak up the beauty of the river.
5. Bird watching
Yok Don National Park is home to over 300 bird species, many of which are endemic to Vietnam and Indochina. On a tour, a guide will take you to the best bird watching spots in the National Park, where you will see a wide variety of colorful woodpeckers, drongos and kingfishers. If you are lucky you can see rarer species such as the Eastern Pied Hornbill, Bee-eaters, Rufous Treepie, Yellow-Footed Pigeon and the Green Peacock.
6. Cycling
Yok Don National Park has more than 200 km of trails, tracks and roads to explore. By bike you travel independently to the Buddha Waterfall, Seven Rapids, Drang Phok lake or Yok Don mountain. Get a free map from reception before heading out for a day of exploring by bike.
7. Cooking classes
Many ethnic minorities live around Dak Lak. Curious about their local food habits? Join a lunch or dinner cooking session with a family of Ede minority in Jang Lanh village, 700 meters from Yok Don National Park. An English-speaking guide is on hand to ensure that you learn all the family secrets of an Ede kitchen. You will be asked to participate and help prepare under the guidance of the host. When you have finished cooking, you can enjoy your homemade meal with the family.
Best time to visit
The best time to go hiking is the dry season from October to April, the optimum time is at the beginning, from October to December, when the temperatures are pleasant. Then it starts to get very hot until the rain starts. It is still possible to trek in the rainy season, but expect a lot of mud and high water to cut the routes, making distances shorter (but no easier).
How to get there
Yok Don National Park is located 40 km away from the town of Buon Ma Thuot (Dak Lak province in the Central Highlands of Vietnam) in the northwest.
To Buon Ma Thuot
Buon Ma Thuot is the capital of Dak Lak province and is the closest city to the national park.
Bus
Direct buses run from Ho Chi Minh City (8-9 hours), Dalat (5-6 hours), Pleiku (3 hours), Nha Trang (3.5 hours) and Da Nang (12 hours) to Buon Ma Thuot.
Flights
Buon Ma Thuot has direct flights from Hanoi (1.45 hours) and Ho Chi Minh City (1.00 hours)
From Buon Ma Thuot to Yok Don
Taxi from Buon Ma Thuot to Yok Don
The easiest and most comfortable way is by taxi. The price from the city is approximately 500,000 VND (22 USD) and from the airport 650,000 (27 USD). Reliable taxis are Mai Linh, Vinasun and Quyet Tien Taxi.
Alternatively, you can also rent a car with a driver:
Motorbike from Buon Ma Thuot to Yok Don
You can rent a scooter from some hotels or travel agents. The rental price is approximately 120,000 VND – 200,000 VND / scooter / day (5 to 9 USD).
Bus from Buon Ma Thuot to Yok Don
The bus driving past Yok Don is pink and green. Buses run every 30 minutes and it takes approximately 1 – 1.5 hours to get to the gate of Yok Don National Park depending on your starting point.
The bus fare is 22,000 VND / ticket (~ 1 USD / ticket). The bus runs from 06:00 AM to 05:00 PM from:
- At the Provincial Bus Station (71 Nguyen Chi Thanh St. Tan An Ward, BMT City)
- For CO.OPMART (71 Nguyen Tat Thanh St., Tan An Ward, BMT City)
- On Le Hong Phong Street, near the museum of Dak Lak province
Accommodation in Yok Don National Park
Most travelers stay in Buon Ma Thuot, which is about an hour’s drive from the park. The city offers a wider range of accommodations, from budget guesthouses to comfortable hotels, making it a convenient base for visiting Yok Don.
However, for those who want to stay closer to nature, there are basic homestays in villages around the park. These offer an authentic rural experience, but keep in mind that facilities can be very simple—expect hard mattresses, minimal amenities, and a more traditional way of living.
For a more immersive experience, camping inside the national park is also an option, but only as part of a guided trekking tour. This is a great way to spend a night in the wilderness, surrounded by the sounds of the forest, making it a unique alternative to staying in the city.
Is Yok Don National Park worth visiting?
Yes, Yok Don National Park is definitely worth visiting, but it’s best experienced as part of a broader trip through Dak Lak or the Central Highlands. With the right planning, you can fit in an elephant tour, trekking, cycling, and a boat trip all in one full day, making it one of the highlights of the region. However, if you’re only visiting the park without exploring more of Dak Lak, it may feel a bit out of the way for just a short visit.
One of the main reasons people visit Yok Don is for its ethical elephant experience. These elephants were once captive working animals, but now live freely in the national park under the supervision of their mahouts. While they wander the park naturally, their mahouts always know their latest location, ensuring visitors can see them during the tour. Some travelers may feel this makes the experience less “wild,” but in reality, these elephants are as free as they can be after a lifetime in captivity.
For those hoping to see completely wild-born elephants, it’s important to set the right expectations. These naturally wild elephants are extremely rare to spot and are considered dangerous if encountered. Unlike the released elephants, they have no human supervision, making sightings unpredictable and not part of any tour.
Ultimately, Yok Don offers a unique and ethical way to see elephants, alongside trekking, cycling, and river experiences, making it a great stop on a Central Highlands adventure.
