Cultural Tourism and Animal Observation at Wasur National Park Papua

Wasur National Park is located at 8°36'S 140°50'E in the province of Papua, Indonesia. This area is part of the largest wetlands in Papua. The high value of its biological diversity has led to the Park being dubbed the "Serengeti Papua". Approximately 70% of the total area of the Park consists of savanna, with the remaining vegetation is swamp forest, monsoon forest, coastal forest, bamboo forest, grassy plains and large stretches of sago swamp forest. The dominant plants in the forest area include mangroves, Avicennia, Bruguiera, Terminalia, and Melaleuca species.

Early morning rainbow in the Wasur National Park.
Source: wikipedia.org

The park provides habitat for a large variety of up to 358 bird species of which some 80 species are endemic to the island of Papua. Fish diversity is also high in the region with some 111 species found in the eco-region and a large number of these are recorded from Wasur. The Park's wetland provides habitat for various species of lobster and crab as well. Common fauna species include: Greater Bird of Paradise, Red Bird of Paradise, King Bird of Paradise, Blue Crowned Pigeon, Agile Wallaby, Southern Cassowary, Pesquet's Parrot, Saltwater Crocodile, and New Guinea Crocodile.

Wasur National Park is the habitat for a number of rare and endemic species. Red-listed species known to be present in viable populations are Fly River Grassbird, New Guinea Harpy Eagle, Black-necked Stork, Dusky Pademelon, Southern Crowned Pigeon and Little Curlew. Three Trans-Fly endemic bird species have been recorded, including the Grey-crowned Munia and Fly River Grassbird.

The park is suitable for animal observation, kayaking/canoeing along the rivers, fishing, and cultural tourism. The best time to visit it is at July to November.

How to go to the park ?

From Jayapura to Merauke by plane, it takes about 1.5 hours. Then from Merauke to the Park by car, it takes about 1-2 hours via the Trans Papua (Jayapura-Merauke) road.

For more information, please contact:
Office: Jl. Raya Mandala, Gang Spadem Nr. 2, PO Box 109, Merauke 99611, Papua, Indonesia
Phone: +62-971-322495 or 325406
(The contact info is retrieved from http://www.dephut.go.id/INFORMASI/TN%20INDO-ENGLISH/wasur_NP.htm at 11 May 2010)