Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to leave Bangkok and head to a national park to see a dazzling range of animals; Bang Kachao boasts probably the best selection of urban wildlife in Bangkok. During the day, bird watching is popular, particularly in Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Park, which has a dedicated tower for birdwatching.
At night, Bang Kachao comes alive with a host of reptiles and amphibians. But finding these elusive animals can be a challenge if it's not something you're experienced at, and it can be difficult to work out the best times, environments, and routes to follow. This is where Tontan Travel come in with their guided night tour of Bang Kachao.
Tours typically run from 7PM-12AM. The more guests on the tour, the cheaper it is per person. Bring water, head torches, and anything you might need if it rains. We met at the 7/11 near the pier in Khlong Toei and took the boat over, before spending 4 hours with our excellent guide, Bank, looking for snakes on the raised walkways and roads around the outskirts of Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan park.
Our experience with the Tontan Travel tour was phenomenal. I had been looking for a python in Bang Kachao for a while, and we saw three! The total tally for the night was:
3 reticulated pythons
8 large-eyed pit vipers
5 indochinese long-nosed whipsnakes
1 cox's mud snake
1 blandford's bridle snake
1 small-banded kukri snake
Assorted lizards, insects and other bugs
Having a wildlife guide with you is incredibly helpful - they will spot a lot of stuff you'd never have seen without them. Bangkok's urban wildlife is much denser and vibrant than you would perhaps expect - try the tour for yourself and see.
Let us know how you get on!
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