Nam Et-Phou Louey
National Park
Park Type
National Park
Year Established
1993
Total Area
410,720 ha
Provinces
Houaphan and Luang Prabang
Map
Things to See & Do
Important Visitor Information
Access
The park can be reached from Luang Prabang town by following Route 1, a paved road that links Luang Prabang and Houaphan provinces.
It is recommended to use private transport, as public buses are less reliable.
Tours
For the Night Safari and Phou Louey Trekking visitors must book tours into the park directly with the park or through a licensed tour operators. Visitors can go to Nam Kone Waterfall without a prior booking.
Fees
Fees for park entry, village development funds, local guides and other requirements should be included in your tour price. Such fees are non-negotiable to ensure local people and conservation benefit from tourism.
Biodiversity
Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park represents the Greater Annamites landscape and is notable for having dhole, four cat species, Northern white-cheeked gibbon, sun bear and Asiatic black bear. With over 300 bird species, the park has become one of Northern Laos’ most popular bird watching destinations.
Dhole
Cuon alpinus
This canine species is native to South and Southeast Asia and requires more habitat area area than a tiger. They hunt in packs and compete with cats for prey.
Status:
Endangered
Clouded leopard
Neofelis nebulosa
Clouded leopard is one of four remaining cat species in Nam Et-Phou Louey along with marbled cat, Asian golden cat, and leopard cat. Tigers and leopards are believed to be extirpated.
Status:
Vulnerable
Northern white-cheeked gibbon
Nomascus leucogenys
Nam Et-Phou Louey has one of the largest populations of this species of gibbon, which is found only in Laos and Vietnam
Status:
Critically Endangered
Sambar deer
Rusa unicolor
Sambar deer is a large species of deer found in mixed deciduous forests throughout South and Southeast Asia and is heavily hunted by humans. It is commonly seen along the Nam Nern Night Safari where ecotourism provides protection.
Status:
Vulnerable
Topography, Climate & Forests
Topography: The area is comprised of rugged hills usually well above 1,000 m (65%) with the highest peak at 1,870 m. The streams of the northern half of the National Protected Area drain into the Nam Et, while those of the southern half drain into the Nam Nern. Elevations have a wide range from 500m – 2052 m.
Climate: Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park is typical of the monsoonal climates of other northern South East Asian nations though slightly cooler due to its northerly latitude and high elevation. Summers (June through September) are pronounced by heavy rainfall and temperatures rarely exceeding 30ᵒ C while winters are very dry and temperatures can drop as low as 4ᵒ C, occasionally as low as below zero in extreme cases.
Forests and habitat: The total area of the park that is forested area is about 72% with the following forest types: dense/mature forest (10%), mixed deciduous forest (69%), evergreen forest (3%), and other natural vegetation (18%). A significant portion of the area is grassland. The origin of these grasslands has not been studied in any detail, and they could be a result of a natural phenomenon or human-induced grasslands. The park’s diverse forest types and elevations combined with its large areas that spans three provinces and many districts allow for a very diverse and unique ecosystem.
People & Culture
Nam Et-Phou Louey has over 70 forest-edge, guardian villages with more than 30,000 people. All villages still depend on the forest for non-timber forest products and supplemental food. With the park covering a very large area and many districts, ethnic diversity is equally great, with many Khmu, Hmong, Tai Daeng, Tai Khao, and Lao Loum people inhabiting the area.
Conservation & Management
The Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park Management Office is headed by the park directors, who are seconded from three provinces and reports directly to their respective PAEO directors, who in turn, report to DOF. In addition, the park director reports on a regular basis to DAEO officials from each district, who in turn, report to the district Governors. The directors and management sector officials are based out of the NPA headquarters in Hiem. A network of ranger sub-stations are located in various sectors within the Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park.
📍Address: Protected Area Management Division, Department of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Khouvieng Road, Vientiane, Lao PDR
📞 +856-021-215000
📩 [email protected]
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