Parks
Lao Protected Area System
With some of the largest protected areas and one of the world’s 32 biodiversity hotspots, the Annamites Mountain Range, Lao PDR has an exceptional range of natural landscapes and globally important habitat for conservation. Parks have the following categories:
– National Parks must be at least 50,000ha and have at least 15 full time staff. They have a focus on educational, research, and tourism values and meet the requirements of IUCN Category II protected areas.
– Wildlife Reserves are designated for protecting specific species and related habitat and ecosystems and are given national management priority. They match IUCN Category IV protected area criteria.
– National Protected Areas are designed for protecting biodiversity, cultural and historical values, and allow for sustainable natural resource use by local people. They match IUCN Category VI protected area criteria.
– Provincial, district and village protected areas are designated by local authorities for protecting unique local natural, cultural and historical values.
– International and regional designations: Some areas may also receive international or regional designations, such as World Heritage, Global Geopark, or ASEAN Heritage park status.
Lao PDR has three ecosystems of international biodiversity significance:
Wet evergreen forest: The wet evergreen forest ecosystem high significance and biodiversity importance because of four factors: (a) wet evergreen forest ecosystems are particularly rich with high proportions of phylogenetically distinctive taxa; (b) the wet evergreen forest ecosystem have very minor representation globally with a very small total global area; (c) Lao PDR accounts for a highly significant proportion of the global range of wet evergreen forest (only Vietnam is more important); and (d) wet evergreen forest ecosystems are under tremendous threats. PAs with significant wet evergreen include Khoun Xe-Nong Ma, Laving Laverne, and Xe Xap.
Indochina karst: The second ecosystem of high global biodiversity importance that occurs in Lao PDR includes the massive karst formations of Central Lao. Their rugged terrain provides a unique degree of protection that allows for endemic species. This habitat is best represented in Hin Nam No and Phou Hin Poun national parks.
Montane forests: Another significant forest ecosystem occurring in the Greater Annamites is montane forests. Their significance to global biodiversity conservation is high because they in general have high representation of species with restricted ranges. Some important montane areas occur in Nakai Nam Theun NP and Yord Nam Mo-Phou Sam Soum NPA.
Biodiversity
Lao PDR is rich in biodiversity4 with an estimated 6,000 species of flowering plants, 300 species of reptiles and amphibians, 700–800 species of birds, at least 90 species of bats, and 260 mammals of which more than 100 are classified as large mammals. Laos is unique for having many species that have been relatively recently discovered by science, including the Saola, large-antlered muntjac, the Laotian rock rat, and many species of amphibians and reptiles. Many of Laos’ wildlife are of high conservation significance, with the IUCN listing 59 species as critically endangered, 143 endangered, 203 vulnerable, and thousands more with near threatened, least concern, or data deficient status.
Protected Area Management Division
The Lao protected area system is managed and coordinated by the Protected Area Management Division of the Department of Forestry, which is based in Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. Most protected areas are managed onsite by provincial and district conservation and forestry authorities in cooperation with local communities. Some areas are supported by conservation non-profit organizations and donors, as well as by conservation-minded investors and ecotourism entrepreneurs.
List of Parks
(sorted by type and size)
Hin Nam No
Laos’s first Natural World Heritage Site and home of the Xe Bang Fai Cave, a long river cave that has spectacular rock formations and newly discovered species of fish and spiders.
Nakai-Nam Theun
Laos’ largest park and a stonghold for endemic, Annamite species. It is known for its large wild elephant population, beautiful rivers, and rugged mountains.
Nam Et-Phou Louey
Laos’ second largest park and world-renowned for its Nam Nern Night Safari, a wildlife tour that supports conservation, and many cat species.
Xe Pian
The largest park in Southern Laos that shares a border with Cambodia and is known for waterbirds, domestic elephants, and Brao culture.
Phou Khao Khouay
The largest park closest to Vientiane Capitol, known for waterfalls, wild orchids, sandstone mountain treks, and mountain biking trails.
Phou Hin Poun
Home of Kong Lor Cave, a 7km-long river cave managed by the Kong Lor-Natane community ecotourism association. The park is also popular for the Rock Viewpoint zip line adventure by Green Discovery.
Dong Houa Sao
Located on the Bolaven Plateau, Dong Houa Sao NP has perhaps the most impressive collection of waterfalls, including Tad Fane, Tad Seua, and Tad Nyeuang, with zip lining, trekking and other activities.
Eld’s Deer Sanctuary
The Eld’s Deer Sanctuary is Laos’ first wildlife sanctuary and the only place where the endangered Eld’s Deer can be seen. The park offers walks and truck rides with village guides to see the deer, as well as camping and homestay.
Nam Ha
Nam Ha is one of Laos’ original trekking and kayaking areas, with tours operated by local guides in cooperation with Khmu, Akha, Tai, Lanten and other ethnic villages. This mountainous park has important species, including Asian elephant, clouded leopard and crested finchbill.
Phou Daen Din
Phou Daen Din is the only national protected area in Phongsaly Province, which is located in the far, northeastern corner of the country, bordering with Vietnam. It is known for its rugged mountains, remote, ethnic villages, and challenging trekking trails.
Xe Xap
Xe Xap is important for protecting many endemic species endemic to the Annamites, including Roosevelt’s muntjac, Annamite striped rabbit, and crested argus, and is one of the only places where the elusive Saola has been found. It was recently expanded from 133,000 to 202,300 ha.
Dong Ampham
Dong Ampham represents the many important species of the southern Annamite Range and is known for its magical crater lake, Nong Fa.
Dong Phou Vieng
Dong Phou Vieng is known for its community-managed Red-shanked and Grey-shanked langur reserve, Dong Saky, and its sandstone mountain treks.
Nam Kading
Nam Kading NPA is formed from a massif of steep, densely forested hills at altitudes mostly from 500-1200m traversed by the Nam Kading River. It is close to Vientiane and is good for wildlife viewing by boat from Kaeng Bit nearby Nahin town.
Xe Bang Nouan
Xe Bang Nouan NPA has generally flat to gently rolling terrain under 400 m, bounded by low hills to the north and the south. It is an important area for gaur and other species. Tourism is not yet developed in the area, although there have been surveys that show potential wildlife tourism.
Phousabot Poung Chong
Phousabot Phou Chong was established in 2011 and is notable for its high elevations, including Phou Sabot at 1,729 m asl), as well as for its grassland plateaus, which cover as much as 10% of the habitat. Although wildlife surveys have been limited, confirmed species include gaur and gibbons.
Nam Kan
The Nam Kan NPA is famous for the Gibbon Experience, Laos’ first zip lining tour which has some very impressive treehouses and has protected the critically endangered Black-crested gibbon. The project employs over 100 villagers from Khmu and other ethnic villages. Nam Kan is also excellent for bird watching.
Phou Xieng Thong
Phou Xieng Thong is known for its rich orchid species and many interesting rocky outcrops that have cultural, religious, and historical significance, across a naturally preserved stretch of the Mekong across from Thailand’s Pha Taem national park.
Phou Xang Hae
Phou Xang Hae has one of Southern Laos’ first developed community-based ecotourism treks, which takes you through the mountain jungles of this remote area, where wild Asian elephants still roam.
Yord Nam Mo-Phou Sam Soum
Yord Nam Mo-Phou Sam Soum is one of Laos’ newest parks and is named after one of the highest peaks in the country, Phou Sam Soum, where the Sea of Clouds and clear starry nights can be seen from a viewpoint and campsite near ethnic Hmong villages.
Phou Hiphi
Phou Hiphi is an important habitat for clouded leopard, marbled cat, and leopard cat and is known for the Nam Kat Yolapa, an ecolodge that offers many nature-based activities and employs locals from a nearby Khmu village.
Laving-Lavern
Laving Lavern is one of Laos’ newest national protected areas and combined with Khoun Xe Nong Ma, Hin Nam No, Phou Louang, Nakai Nam Theun and Phong Nha Kebang is part of one of the largest protected Annamite landscapes.
Nam Xam
Nam Xam National Protected Area is a mountainous area with as much as 40 per cent of the area is ca. 1000 m asl, and several summits exceed 1,500m. It is located near Viengxai, the birthplace of the Lao communist revolution, and Sam Neua in Houaphan Province
Phou Phanang
Phou Phanang is the closest park to Vientiane Capital and offers very good trails accessible for hiking, picnicking, and mountain biking. The park has records of two-different species of gibbons, gaur and other endangered species.
Khoun Xe Nong Ma
Khoun Xe Nong Ma is one of the most important habitat for endemic Annamite species and offers excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing with the help of ethnic Jri village guides. Kayaking expeditions that start in the the park pass into the Xe Bang Fai Cave in the nearby World Heritage site of Hin Nam No.
Hin Nam No
Laos’s first Natural World Heritage Site and home of the Xe Bang Fai Cave, a long river cave that has spectacular rock formations and newly discovered species of fish and spiders.
Nakai-Nam Theun
Laos’ largest park and a stonghold for endemic, Annamite species. It is known for its large wild elephant population, beautiful rivers, and rugged mountains.
Nam Et-Phou Louey
Laos’ second largest park and world-renowned for its Nam Nern Night Safari, a wildlife tour that supports conservation, and many cat species.
Xe Pian
The largest park in Southern Laos that shares a border with Cambodia and is known for waterbirds, domestic elephants, and Brao culture.
Phou Khao Khouay
The largest park closest to Vientiane Capitol, known for waterfalls, wild orchids, sandstone mountain treks, and mountain biking trails.
Phou Hin Poun
Home of Kong Lor Cave, a 7km-long river cave managed by the Kong Lor-Natane community ecotourism association. The park is also popular for the Rock Viewpoint zip line adventure by Green Discovery.
Dong Houa Sao
Located on the Bolaven Plateau, Dong Houa Sao NP has perhaps the most impressive collection of waterfalls, including Tad Fane, Tad Seua, and Tad Nyeuang, with zip lining, trekking and other activities.
Nam Ha
Nam Ha is one of Laos’ original trekking and kayaking areas, with tours operated by local guides in cooperation with Khmu, Akha, Tai, Lanten and other ethnic villages. This mountainous park has important species, including Asian elephant, clouded leopard and crested finchbill.
Phou Daen Din
Phou Daen Din is the only national protected area in Phongsaly Province, which is located in the far, northeastern corner of the country, bordering with Vietnam. It is known for its rugged mountains, remote, ethnic villages, and challenging trekking trails.
Xe Xap
Xe Xap is important for protecting many endemic species endemic to the Annamites, including Roosevelt’s muntjac, Annamite striped rabbit, and crested argus, and is one of the only places where the elusive Saola has been found. It was recently expanded from 133,000 to 202,300 ha.
Dong Ampham
Dong Ampham represents the many important species of the southern Annamite Range and is known for its magical crater lake, Nong Fa.
Dong Phou Vieng
Dong Phou Vieng is known for its community-managed Red-shanked and Grey-shanked langur reserve, Dong Saky, and its sandstone mountain treks.
Nam Kading
Nam Kading NPA is formed from a massif of steep, densely forested hills at altitudes mostly from 500-1200m traversed by the Nam Kading River. It is close to Vientiane and is good for wildlife viewing by boat from Kaeng Bit nearby Nahin town.
Xe Bang Nouan
Xe Bang Nouan NPA has generally flat to gently rolling terrain under 400 m, bounded by low hills to the north and the south. It is an important area for gaur and other species. Tourism is not yet developed in the area, although there have been surveys that show potential wildlife tourism.
Phousabot Poung Chong
Phousabot Phou Chong was established in 2011 and is notable for its high elevations, including Phou Sabot at 1,729 m asl), as well as for its grassland plateaus, which cover as much as 10% of the habitat. Although wildlife surveys have been limited, confirmed species include gaur and gibbons.
Nam Kan
The Nam Kan NPA is famous for the Gibbon Experience, Laos’ first zip lining tour which has some very impressive treehouses and has protected the critically endangered Black-crested gibbon. The project employs over 100 villagers from Khmu and other ethnic villages. Nam Kan is also excellent for bird watching.
Phou Xieng Thong
Phou Xieng Thong is known for its rich orchid species and many interesting rocky outcrops that have cultural, religious, and historical significance, across a naturally preserved stretch of the Mekong across from Thailand’s Pha Taem national park.
Phou Xang Hae
Phou Xang Hae has one of Southern Laos’ first developed community-based ecotourism treks, which takes you through the mountain jungles of this remote area, where wild Asian elephants still roam.
Yord Nam Mo-Phou Sam Soum
Yord Nam Mo-Phou Sam Soum is one of Laos’ newest parks and is named after one of the highest peaks in the country, Phou Sam Soum, where the Sea of Clouds and clear starry nights can be seen from a viewpoint and campsite near ethnic Hmong villages.
Phou Hiphi
Phou Hiphi is an important habitat for clouded leopard, marbled cat, and leopard cat and is known for the Nam Kat Yolapa, an ecolodge that offers many nature-based activities and employs locals from a nearby Khmu village.
Laving-Lavern
Laving Lavern is one of Laos’ newest national protected areas and combined with Khoun Xe Nong Ma, Hin Nam No, Phou Louang, Nakai Nam Theun and Phong Nha Kebang is part of one of the largest protected Annamite landscapes.
Nam Xam
Nam Xam National Protected Area is a mountainous area with as much as 40 per cent of the area is ca. 1000 m asl, and several summits exceed 1,500m. It is located near Viengxai, the birthplace of the Lao communist revolution, and Sam Neua in Houaphan Province
Phou Phanang
Phou Phanang is the closest park to Vientiane Capital and offers very good trails accessible for hiking, picnicking, and mountain biking. The park has records of two-different species of gibbons, gaur and other endangered species.
Khoun Xe Nong Ma
Khoun Xe Nong Ma is one of the most important habitat for endemic Annamite species and offers excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing with the help of ethnic Jri village guides. Kayaking expeditions that start in the the park pass into the Xe Bang Fai Cave in the nearby World Heritage site of Hin Nam No.
Hin Nam No
Laos’s first Natural World Heritage Site and home of the Xe Bang Fai Cave, a long river cave that has spectacular rock formations and newly discovered species of fish and spiders.
Nam Ha
Nam Ha is one of Laos’ original trekking and kayaking areas, with tours operated by local guides in cooperation with Khmu, Akha, Tai, Lanten and other ethnic villages. This mountainous park has important species, including Asian elephant, clouded leopard and crested finchbill.
Eld’s Deer Sanctuary
The Eld’s Deer Sanctuary is Laos’ first wildlife sanctuary and the only place where the endangered Eld’s Deer can be seen. The park offers walks and truck rides with village guides to see the deer, as well as camping and homestay.
📍Address: Protected Area Management Division, Department of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Khouvieng Road, Vientiane, Lao PDR
📞 +856-021-215000
📩 laosnationalparks@gmail.com
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