Nam Nao National Park is one of Thailand’s most ecologically diverse wilderness areas. Spanning over the Phetchabun Mountains, it’s vast mix of pine forests, grasslands, and virgin jungles serves as a critical refuge for a massive array of wildlife, including over 300 bird species and numerous large mammals
Because the park is so well-preserved, animal activity is high—in fact, wild elephants are so common around the main roads and thoroughfares that the park’s main campgrounds are famously secured with electric fencing to keep them at a safe distance
Nam Nao is part of a Level I tiger conservation unit and protects several globally threatened mammal species.
- Large Herbivores: Asian elephants are the park’s most visible large residents. It is also home to gaurs (the world’s largest wild cattle species), bantengs, sambar deer, and barking deer (northern red muntjac).
- Carnivores & Predators: Leopards, elusive clouded leopards, wild boars, and golden jackals roam the interior. Asiatic black bears and Malayan sun bears also live within the deeper forests.
- Smaller Mammals: You can find gibbons swinging through the canopy, alongside smooth-coated otters in the streams, binturongs (bearcats), Malayan porcupines, pangolins, and flying squirrels.
An Aviary Paradise (Birds)
Due to the dry forest floors and diverse forest canopies, Nam Nao National Park is recognized as a premier birdwatching destination in Thailand. Over 300–360 distinct species have been documented here:
- Woodpeckers & Trogons: The park is famous for its high density of woodpeckers, including the striking white-bellied woodpecker, bamboo woodpecker, and grey-capped pygmy woodpecker. The vibrant red-headed trogon is also frequently spotted around the main headquarters trail.
- Ground Birds: Walking deeper trails offers the chance to spot the stunning silver pheasant, siamese fireback, blue pitta, and bar-backed partridge.
- Hornbills & Raptors: Majestic great hornbills and Austen’s brown hornbills reside in the evergreen canopies. Predatory birds like the collared falconet and spot-bellied eagle owl patrol the skies.
Reptiles, Amphibians & Insects
Butterflies: Nam Nao is incredibly famous for its insect diversity, boasting more than 340 species of butterflies that flutter across the sunlit grasslands and riverbeds.
Reptiles & Amphibians: The undergrowth hosts various frogs and lizards, as well as notable reptiles like the Siamese pit viper, the Burmese python, and the rare big-headed turtle in the streams.