Sembilang National Park, A place for birds to migrate

Sembilang National Park which is  located in Palembang, South Sumatera is one of Ramsar site in Indonesia. The park represents wetland ecosystem including swamp peat forest, swamp forest and riparian zone. Typical plants grow in such ecosystem are Acrostichum aureum, Nypa fruticans, Casuarina equisetifolia,Pandanus tectorius,Hibiscus tiliaceus,Oncosperma tigillaria,Dyera costulata,Koompassia excels, Syzygium inophylla, Rhizophora sp., Sonneratia alba, and Bruguiera gimnorrhiza.

The park is a habitat for wild life mammals including Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus), Tapirus indicus, long tailed mongkey (Hylobates syndactylus syndactylus), golden cat (Catopuma temminckii temminckii), deer (Cervus unicolor equinus), crocodile (Crocodylus porosus),Varanus salvator, dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris). Besides, the park is also an important habitat for various fish and bird species such as Limnodromus semipalmatus, Pseudototanus guttifer, Pelecanus onocrotalus, Mycteria cinerea, Leptoptilos javanicus, Chlidonias leucoptera,etc. Thousands bird from Siberia migrate annually to the park and they reach in number in October. The sounds made by their wings is outrages and they make a very beautiful phenomenon.

Interesting sites :

Semenanjung Banyuasin, Sembilang, Teluk Benawan, Teluk Sekanak, Betet Island : fishing, bird watching, mangrove touring, river touring, dolphins watching.

Related interesting events :

Krakatau Festival on June in Bandar Lampung

Ranau Lake Festival on December in Ogan Komering Ilir

Best time to visit : June to August

How to get there :

Take flight to Palembang, followed by speedboat to Sungsang (2 hour). Take another speedboat from Sungsang to Sembilang (2 hour).

Contact address :

Sembilang National Park Office

Jl. AMD Kel. Talang Jambe

Kec. Sukarame, Palembang

Telp. +627117839200

Teluk Cendrawasih National Park, The Largest Marine National Park in Indonesia

Teluk Cenderawasih National Park represents the coral reef, marine, mangrove and terrestrial tropical rain forest ecosystem in Papua,the eastern province of Indonesia.The park is the largest marine national park of which 89,8% of its area is marine. The park is very rich in fish species (209 sp) including butterflyfish, angelfish, damselfish, parrotfish,rabbitfish and anemonefish. It has a significant species of coral reef (150 sp) which scatters on the shores of 18 big and small islands within the park. The percentage of living coral reef varies from 30,  40% to 65,64%. Generally, they are divided into two zona, reef flat and reef slope. The park is a home for moluca such as cypraea spp, Lambis spp, Conus spp, Chaonia tritonis and Tridacna gigas, turtles such as  Eretmochelys imbricata, Chelonia mydas, Lepidochelys olivaceae, Dermochelys coriacea, and mammals such as Dugong dugon, Balaenoptera musculus,Birgus latro,dolphins, sharks and whales. Above all, some natural phenomenon can also be found in the park such as caves, hot water resources in Misowaar Island and 100 feet underwater cave in Tanjung Mangguar Island. Wendesi, Wasior, and Yomber are some places where visitor can see treasures from the 18^th century. Visitors come to Yende in Roon Island to see Bible which was published in 1898.

Interesting sites and activities :

Rumberpon island : birdwatching,snorkel, diving

Nusrowi island : snorkel, diving, fauna safari

Mioswaar island : hot springwater, waterfall, snorkel, diving, cultural attractions

Yoop and Windesi : whale shark and dolphins

Roon island : bird watching, snorkel, diving, waterfall, old church, cultural attractions

 Best time to visit : May until October

How to get there : Take a flight from Jakarta or Surabaya or Denpasar to Biak. Take another flight from Biak to Manokwari or Nabire. From Manokwari take longboat (5,5 hours) to Rumberpon island or take a 3 hour drive to Ransiki, followed by motorboat (2,5 hour).

Contact Office :

Teluk Cendrawasih National Park Office

Jl. Trikora Wosi Rendani, Kotak Pos 229

Manokwari 98312, Papua Barat

Telp. +62986212212

Fax. +62986212437

E-mail : btntc@manokwari.wasantara.net.id.

Wakatobi National Park, the Underwater Paradize

Laying in the the heart of world coral triangle centre, Wakatobi National Park offers a stunning and amazing “underwater paradise”.  The name of the park derives from four big islands of Wangi-wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia dan Binongko which form the park. There is about 25 clusters of coral reefs connected with 600km coastlines. Wakatobi is located just off the south-eastern tip of Sulawesi. In the past, the archipelago was well known as Tukang Besi which is inhabited by Suku Bajau or Suku Laut. The park which is  the second largest marine park in Indonesia after Teluk Cendrawasih in Papua is very rich in biodiversity.

 In a comparison with Caribia which has 100 specimen of underwater species, the Wakatobi is wealthier by means of having 750 species out of 850 species found in Indonesia. A research carried out by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) dan World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in 2003 revealed that there are 396 coral reef species and 590 fish species live in the reefs including Acropora formosa, A. Hyacinthus, Psammocora profundasafla, Pavona cactus, Leptoseris yabei, Fungia molucensis, Lobophyllia robusta, Merulina ampliata, Platygyra versifora, Euphyllia glabrescens, Tubastraea frondes, Stylophora pistillata, throchelliophorum Sarcophyton, and Sinularia spp. In some places along the reef, there are some underwater caves.For dive lovers, Wakatobi is such an eden for them. The life underneath the Wakatobi marine is so fascinating.

It is just like a giant aquarium where people can see and interact with abundant and colourful fish such as whales (physeter macrocephalus, Globicephala macrorhyncus, Orcinus orca, Feresa attenuata),dolphins (Steno bredenensis, Grampus griseus, Tursiops truncates, Peponocephala electra, Delphinus delphis, Stenella longiotris, Tursiops truncatus), turtles (Chelonia mydas, Eretmochelys imbricate, Caretta, Lepidochelys olivacea), Napoleon (Cheilinus undulatus), Dugong dugong,

Tourist attractions : snorkelling, diving, swimming, caving

Best time to visit : April and December

How to get there : Flight to Kendari, take a wooden ship from Kendari to Bau-bau (5 or 12 hours) and followed by another 2 hours drive to Lasalimu. From Lasalimu, take wooden ship or speedboat to Wanci (2,5 hours).

Contact :

Wakatobi National Park Office

Balai Taman Nasional Wakatobi
Jln. Dayanu Ikhsanuddin No.71
Bau-Bau, Sulawesi Tenggara
Telp/Fax : +62 402 2826326

Website : http://wakatobinationalpark.com

e-mail : info@wakatobinationalpark.com

fb : Taman Nasional Wakatobi

Manusela National Park

Located on Seram island in the Maluku archipelago of Indonesia, Manusela was decreed as national park in  1997. Covering an area of 189.00 hectare, Manusela National Park consists of various ecosystem types such as lowland swamp forest, riverbank vegetation, lowland forest, montane forest, beach formation and elfin/moss forest. The park is habitat for 196 bird species including the Eclectus Parrot, Purple-naped Lory, Salmon-crested Cokcatoo, Lazuli Kingfisher, Gery-necked Friarbird, Moluccan King Parrot, Bicoloured White-ey and Black-chinnned Monrach. Out of 24 mammals, 8 are endemic including rusa (cervus timorensis moluccensis), kuskus (phalanger orientaslis), soa-soa (hydrosaurus amboinensis), Seram Bandicoot and Moluccan Flying Fox. Additionally, 46 reptile species (3 endemic), 8 amphibia (2 endemic), 90 insect species (2endemic) have also been recorded in the park. Flora which can be found in the park including mengerawan( Hopea sp), linggua (Pterocarpus indikus) , matoa(Pometia pinnata). Kanari (Canarium  indicus), Nyatoh (Palaquium spp), Ketapang hutan (Terminalia copelandii),   tapak kuda (Ipomoea pescaprae), rumput jara-jara (Spinifex littoralis), ketapang (Terminalia catapa), ect. Tourist attractions

Binaiya is a mountain with height of 3.027 m above sea levels offering challenging for climbing lovers.

Other activities : caving, bird watching, crocodile watching, butterfly watching, snorkeling, diving, jungle tracking

How to get there

Flight to Ambon. Take ferry from Ambon to Masohi (8 hours), take a bus from Masohi to Saka (north route)

Take ferry from Ambon to Masohi followed by 9 hour journey by boat to Tehoru. From Tohero, take another boat to Moso or Saunulu Village.

Contact

Manusela National Park Office

Jl. Kelang No. 1 Masohi – Maluku Tengah

Telp./Fax. +62(914)22164

Website : www.tnmanusela-dephut.org

e-mail : balaitnmanusela@gmail.com

Bali Barat National Park, A Home of The Near Extinct “Jalak Bali”

Laying in the north western side of Bali island, Bali Barat National Park is an important habitat for the endemic and near extinct bird species, Jalak Bali/Bali Myne (Luecopsar rothschildi). Historically, it was the Germany biologist, Dr. Baron Sressman who accidentally landed his Maluku II Expedition ship to this island. During his stay di Singaraja for 3 months, he found the Bali Starling as his research specimen in Bubunan Villages.Following, Dr. Baron Viktor von Plesen did his study intensively on this bird species which was said only live in Bubunan Villave untuk Gilimanuk (320 Km2). In order to preserve the bird, the area was then decreed as Nature Park in 1947. The park is not only important for the Bali Myne. It is also a home for 105 aves species, 120 fish species, 7 mammal species, 2 reptile species, etc.  The park which cover 19.002 hectare comprises of  15.587 hectare (terrestrial area) and 3.145 hectare (marine area). Mangrove forest, monsoon forest, river rain forest, coral reef, deep and shallow marine, lowland forest,etc. form the ecosystem of the park.

Tourist Attractions

Bird watching Tour with 4 choices spots : (1). Mangrove : is very necessary area for type of birds which is life in water, like kingfisher family, parrot, stork, egrets, tattler, herons, terns, other scaffolding bird and pelagic, (2) .Savannah: this grassland is necessary area for starling family, kingfisher, coucals, bee-eater, nighjar, alap-alap, pipit, weavers, java sparrows, swallow, wood-swallow, parrots and the other birds (3) Monsson Forest: is necessary area for forest pigeon bird, woodpecker, drongos, bulbuls, flowerpackers, crow, orioles, owl, alap-alap, oriental honey-buzzard and the other , (4) Lowland Forest: is necessary area for oriental pied hornbill, wreathed hornbill, tiong, elang paok, forest pigeon and other birds.

Hiking the trails to explore the park ; (1) Tegal Blunder Trail (2) Gunung Klatakan Trail (3) Prapat Agung Peninsula Trail  ; Mangrove Tour hiking ; Snorkeling and diving in Menjangan Island

How to get there

From Denpasar take a 5 hour drive to Cekik, western part of Bali. From Banyuwanggi (Eastern part of Java) take a fery to Gilimanuk seaport.

 

 

 

 

 

Contact :

Bali Barat National Park Office. Jl. Raya Gilimanuk, Denpasar.

Telp./Fax. : +62(365)61060

Website : http://www.tnbalibarat.com

E-mail: tnbb09@gmail.com. fb: Taman Nasional Bali Barat

twitter: @balibarat

 

Danau Sentarum National Park, the most excotic water system in the world

Danau Sentarum National Park lies in the upstream of Kapuas River, about 700 km from the delta. It was acknowledged as Ramsar Site in 1994 and decreed as a national park in 1999.  The park consists of seasonal lakes and freshwater swamp forest. There are 88 small islands and 80 lakes forming the park. Surrounded by mountains such as Lanjak in the north, Muller in the east, Kelingkang in the west and dataran tinggi Madi in the south, the park is more like a basin. The basin functions like a reservoir. During the rainy season, the basin will be flooded. The wet season usually take about 9 – 10 months wetting the basin at 6 – 14 meters in  depth. On the contrary, it will dry during drought season and some lakes within the basin would form a bared land. These conditions make the lakes have a very unique ecosystem.

The fish are abundant in the lakes including arwana Super Red (Sceropagus formosus), Botia macracantha, Colus microlepis are endemic to Danau Sentarum . A number of 266 fish species have been recorded living in the lakes. According to the study, there have been 311 bird species including Strom’s Stork and Great Argus, 147 mammal species including Proboscis monkey and orangutan (Pongo pymaeus), and 31 reptile specie. Crocodillus raninus which are said to be extinct have ever been found the park. Additionaly, of the 675 species of flora living in the park 154 is orchid species.For the local, the lakes which cover 132.000 hectare, play an important role for their life. They  traditionally catch the fish from the lakes and sell them to the city. About 70% of the fish in West Kalimantan sold in the market is from Danau Sentarum. There is an interesting phenomenon with regard to the local. During drought season when the fish are abundant and easy to catch, people from outside of the park would come to the lakes to catch the fish. However, when rainy season are due to, they leave the park and only the local stay. The park also provide another income for the local. It is the honey bee which have also been supported the ecoomic of the local. There have been 15 – 20 ton honey bee yielded per year. Danau Sentarum honey bee has had an international organic bee sertificate from the Indonesia Organic Association. Melayu, Dayak Iban, Dayak Kantuk and Dayak Embaloh are 4 tribes who have been living in the park since their ancestor. They have been take fish and honey from the park sustainably and they are very concerned to preserve the park.

How to get there

By flight to Pontianak followed by another flight or by bus from Pontianak to Putussibau

Contact :

Danau Sentarum National Park Office

Jl. C.Oevang Oeray No. 43 Sintang

Telp./Fax. +62 (565)22242

e-mail : balai.tnds@yahoo.com

 

 

Komodo National Park, Home of the descendents of dinosour

 

Komodo National Park has been more popular wide-world recently, since it was nominated as one of the 7 Wonders of the World. It is the enormous lizards, the endangered Komodo Dragon living in this island which made Komodo Island decreed as a national park in 1980. The designations aim to protect the habitat of Komodo as to prevent them from extinct. Komodo (Varanus komodoensis) is the biggest reptile in the world and they can only be seen in this island and the adjacent island, Rinca.  These descendents of dinosaurs may reach up to 3 meters in length and weigh of 150 kilograms and may lay up to 30 eggs at a time. Today, almost 5,700 Komodo still live in the island. These giant lizards are not the only tourist attractions can be seen in the park. The park was acknowledged as a Man and Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage Site in 1986. Sitting in between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores, to the east of Bali, Komodo island is dominated by a range of rounded hills oriented along a north-south axis at an elevation of 500-600m. The open grass-woodland savannah covers almost 70% of the park.

The savannah is dominated by  lontar (Borassus flabellifer). Additionally, rotan (Calamus sp.), bambu (Bambusa sp.), asam (Tamarindus indica), kepuh (Sterculia foetida), bidara (Ziziphus jujuba), and bakau (Rhizophora sp.) are some of typical plants which can be found in the island. Besides Komodos, the park is a home for animals such as rusa (Cervus timorensis floresiensis), babi hutan (Sus scrofa), ajag (Cuon alpinus javanicus), kuda liar (Equus qaballus) and kerbau liar (Bubalus bubalis). Some 72 species of bird have been recorded, including yellow-crested cockatoo, noisy friar bird and common scrubhen. The surrounding ocean which also part of the park is beautifully edged with white sand coastline. The water is very rich in biodiversity. The beautiful and colourful intact reefs are abundant with coral and fish species. According to studies there are 259 of coral reef species and 1000 of fish species including sharks, rays, tunas, whales, live in this marine. Another creatures such as pygmy seahorses, frogfish and unusual nudibranch and can easily be seen.

Interesting sites :
Loh Liang. The main entrance for wild life watching, cultural attraction, white sand beaches

Pulau Lasa, Pantai Merah, Loh Bo dan Sebita. Diving, snorkelling, glass bottom boat

Banu Nggulung. Wild life watching

Best season to visit: March – June and October-December

How to get there

By flight from Denpasar-Labuan Bajo following by fery or speedboat from Labuan Bajo to the park.

Contact :

Komodo National Park Office

Jl. Kasimo, Labuan Bajo
Flores Barat 86554, Nusa Tenggara Timur
Telp. (0385) 41004, 41005
Fax. (0385) 41006
E-mail: tnkomodo@indosat.net.id

Baluran National Park

Grassland (savanna) alike African is here, in Baluran National Park!…

Baluran consists of various type of Indonesian ecosystems, hence the park is called as the microcosm of Indonesian forest ecosystem. The ecosystems vary from coastal forest, mangrove forest, salt water forest, savanna, mountainous rain forest, monsoon forest, seagrass and coral reef. Mount Baluran (1,247 meters) is an inactive volcano which sits at the edge of the Bali sea.

Baluran is well known as a home for big mammalia such as the Javanese wild ox, Rusa deer, Barking deer, Feral water buffalo, Asiatic wild dog, including rare species the Javan panther. A quite number of bird species also lives in the park such as the green jungle fowl, the red jungle fowl, the Javanese peacock, etc. Monkeys, lizards, squires, palm civet, Javan warty pig also live in the park.

The savanna which covers 40% of the park is a grassing place for animals such as Javanese wild ox, water buffalo and Javan rusa.

Visitor activities :

Visitors can enjoy outdoor activities such as outbound, Safari rides, forest trek, bird watching, camping, mountain hiking, climbing. The beach is a good place for rowing, boating, canoeing, snorkelling and diving.

Best seasons to visit : June to November every year

How to get there

From Surabaya, take a bus heading to Situbondo via the north coastal road (about 5 – 6 hours drive) or take a railway heading to Banyuwangi and take another 1 hour drive to Situbondo.

From Bali, take a bus heading to Banyuwangi

Contact :

Baluran National Park Office

Jl. Raya Situbondo-Banyuwangi Desa Wonorejo, Kec. Banyuputih Kab. Situbondo.

Phone : +62333-461650
Fax : +62333-463864.

website : http://balurannationalpark.web.id

e-mail : balurannationakpark@gmail.com

Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park

Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park which is located in Malang, about 4 hour drive from Surabaya, the capital city of East Java Province, has been known worldwide. The park consists of three major old caldera;  Mt.Bromo, Mt.Tengger and Mt.Semeru. Of which, Bromo is the most popular ones for the visitors. It is easily recognized as the entire top has been blown off and the crater inside constantly belches white sulphurous smoke. Bromo is very unique as it lays within the Tengger caldera which has massive diameter of nearly 10 km. In the mean time, Semeru or named as Mahameru (Great Mountain) is the most active volcanos in Indonesia, as it erupts periodically, almost every 20 minute, sometimes containing smoke, ash and stones.  Semeru, is the highest peak of Java which has lakes os Ranu Pani, Ranu Regulo and Ranu Kombolo. Mt. Tengger is an ancient caldera which has a unique sea of sand (Lautan Pasir) where newer volcanoes emerged ;  Mt. Batok, Mt. Kursi, Mt. Watangan and Mt. Widodaren.

Visitors come to the park either to climb the mountains or surfing the sea of sand inside the caldera by foot or horseback to get to the peak or to catch the wonderfull scenery of sunrise over the mountains. Mount Pananjakan, one of several mountains around the Tengger caldera is the most favourite point to see the entire volcanic complex of Tengger.

Tenggerese, the indigenous people living within the park is Hindu communities, a remnant from the Majapahit era.  It is believed that they are to be the descendents of the Majapahit.

The ecosystem of the park are sub-montane, montane and sub-alpine ecosystem types, with big trees that are hundreds of years old. They are home for 137 species of bird, 22 species of mammal, and four species of reptile. They are also habitats for some endangered and protected animal species such as the marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata), deer (Cervus timorensis russa), long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis), barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak muntjak), red junglefowl (Gallus gallus), panther (Panthera pardus), Asian wild dog (Cuon alpinus javanicus) and various species of bird such as the besra sparrow hawk (Accipiter virgatus virgatus), crested serpent eagle (Spilornis cheela bido), rhinoceros hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros silvestris), black drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus), brahminy kite (Haliastur indus), and ducks that live on the Ranu Pani, Ranu Regulo and Ranu Kombolo Lakes.

Among the plants that exist in the Park are jamuju (Podocarpus imbricatus), cemara gunung (Casuarina sp.), edelweiss (Anaphalis javanica), various species of orchid, and rare species of grass (Styphelia pungieus).

Interesting locations/attractions:

Cemorolawang: one of entrance gates through which visitors pass to see the expanse of the sand sea and Bromo’s crater from a distance; camping is possible here.

Tengger Sand Sea and Mt. Bromo: horse riding; climbing up concrete steps to the rim of Mt. Bromo’s crater, and witnessing the sunrise.
Pananjakan: viewing a magnificent panorama of Mt. Bromo, Mt. Batok, and Mt. Semeru.
Ranu Pani, Ranu Regulo, Ranu Kumbolo and Mt. Semeru. Ranu Darungan Lake: camping and observing animals and plants

Best time of year to visit: June to October, and December to January.

How to get there

By flight to get to Surabaya or Malang airports.

From Surabaya, take Pasuruan or Malang routes :

• Pasuruan-Warung Dowo-Tosari-Wonokitri-Mt. Bromo by car (71 km), or Malang-Tumpang-Gubuk Klakah-Jemplang-Mt. Bromo by car (53 km), and Jemplang-Ranu Pani-Ranu Kumbolo,
• Malang-Purwodadi-Nongkojajar-Tosari-Wonokitri-Penanjakan by car (83 km). From Malang to Ranu Pani by car for about 70 minutes and proceed on foot to Puncak Semeru (the peak of Mt. Semeru) – this takes about 13 hours.

 

Contact

Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park Office

Jl. Raden Intan No. 6 Malang – Jawa Timur

Telp./Fax. +62341491828

Website : www.tnbromotenggersemeru.com

e-mail : tn bromotenggersemeru@gmail.com

Manupeu Tanah Daru National Park

 

Located in Sumba Island, Manupeu Tanah Daru National Park consists plenty of steepy slopes. The slopes rise from the sea reaching height of 600 meters. The park is a habitat of 87 species of birds, all are protected. 7 out of them are endemic to the island including Cacatua sulphurea citrinocristata, Rhyticeros everetti, Treron teysmannii, Ficedula harterti, Coracina dohertyi, Nectarinia buettikofer. The first two birds are rare and almost extinct. The park is also home for 57 butterfly species, 7 of them are endemic to the island; Papilio neumoegenii, Ideopsis oberthurii, Delias fasciata, Junonia adulatrix, Athyma karita, Sumalia chilo, dan Elimnia amoena. In term of flora, there are 118 species including Toona sureni, Sterculia foetida, Schleichera oleosa, Alstonia scholaris, Tamarindus indica, Aleurites moluccana, Syzygium sp., Casuarina sp.) and Lantana camara.

Interesting sites :

Lapopu Waterfall

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matayangu Waterfall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beaches ; Aili, Hipi, Maloba, Marabakul

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caves : Jaga, Pattamawai, Bakul, Ngaduredu, Ngacupadano

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visitor Activities :

Jungle trekking, camping, bird watching,

Best time to visit : March until June and October until December yearly

How to get there : Take a flight from Jakarta to Denpasar (Bali). Continue by flight to Tambolaka. Take a drive to Waikabubak about one and half hours.

 Contact :

Manupe Tanah Daru National Park Office

 Kantor: Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan

PO Box 15, Kupang 85228

Nusa Tenggara Timur

Telp. (0380) 832211