Trekking in Manusela National Park

Manusela National Park is a tourist attraction located on Seram island in Maluku Province of Indonesia. The national park was established in 1997, to protect an area of 1,890 km², representing 11% of the land area of Seram island. In this park there is Mount Binaiya, with altitude 3.027 meters. It is the highest of the park's six mountains.

Moluccan Cockatoo also known
as Salmon-crested Cockatoo

In the local language Manusela means "bird of freedom". The park is habitats for many species of birds. There are approximately 117 species of birds in this park, 14 of them endemic, such as Salmon-crested Cockatoo (Moluccan Cockatoo), Eclectus Parrot, Sacred Kingfisher, Lazuli Kingfisher, Grey-necked Friarbird, Black-chinned Monarch, Purple-naped Lory, Bicoloured White-eye and Moluccan King Parrot.

Manusela National Park is also habitats for cuscus (Phalanger orientalis orientalis), Timor deer (Cervus timorensis moluccensis), water-hagedis dragon (Hydrosaurus amboinensis), wild pig (Sus celebensis), marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata), giant skink (Tiliqua gigas gigas), dugong (Dugong dugon), green turtle (Chelonia mydas), and various species of butterfly.

The park is made up of coastal forest, swamp forest, lowland and montane rainforest ecosystem types. Plants that grow in this park such as Alstonia scholaris, Avicennia, Dryobalanops and Pandanus species, Bruguiera sexangula, Terminalia catappa, Shorea selanica, Rhizophora acuminata, Pometia pinnata, Melaleuca leucadendra and various species of orchid.

The best time to visit the park is on May to October. The number one reason to go to Manusela National Park is for trekking. Another attraction of tourists to do in this park that is exploring the forest, mountain climbing, observing animals and plants. Cultural attractions outside the park, such as the Masohi Festival in November, kora-kora (rowing) races in April, and Darwin-Ambon International Yacht race in July, in Ambon.

How to get to the Manusela National Park?

Manusela National Park can be reached either from the north coast (Sawai and Wahai), or the south coast (Tehoru and Moso). First, visitors have to go to Ambon. Ambon holds the nearest big airport for accessing the region. Numerous regular flight available from Jakarta or other city in Indonesia. From Ambon to Masohi by ferry (daily) take about 8 hours, continued to Saka by car for about 2 hours, then to Wahai using speed boat about 2 hours. Alternatively, from Ambon to Wahai by ship takes about 24 hours (3 times a week). There are a flight from Ambon to Wahai once a week. Other route from Masohi to Tehoru by motor boat takes about 9 hours, then to Moso and Saunulu village.

Trekking and Seeing Orangutans in Mount Leuser National Park

Mount Leuser National Park is one of the nature conservation areas in Indonesia, covering an area of 1,094,692 hectares which is located in North Sumatra and Aceh Provinces of Indonesia. The national park takes its name from Mount Leuser with a height of 3.404 meters above sea level in Aceh. This national park includes the original ecosystem of the coast to high mountains covered by dense typical tropical rain forest, managed by the zoning system used for the purpose of research, science, education, culture, tourism, and recreation.

The entrance of Gunung Leuser National Park

Mount Leuser National Park has three functions: First, protection of life support systems. Second, preserving species diversity of plants and animals and their ecosystems. Third, sustainable use of biological resources and ecosystems.

Almost the entire area are covered by Dipterocarpaceae forest with several rivers and waterfalls. In this national park there are several rare plants such as Raflesia flower (Rafflesia atjehensis and Rafflesia micropylora), giant umbrella leaves (Johannesteijsmannia altifrons) and Rhizanthes zippelnii which is the largest flower with a diameter of 1,5 meters.

In this national park there are also several endangered and protected animals such as gibbon (Hylobates syndactylus syndactylus), introspect / orangutan (Pongo abelii), Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus), Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), Sumatran rhinoceros (sumatrensis sumatrensis Dicerorhinus), sambar deer (Cervus unicolor), forest goat (Capricornis sumatraensis), forest cats (Prionailurus sumatrana bengalensis) and hornbills (Buceros bicornis).

One of the tourist attractions in Mount Leuser National Park is observation center for Sumatran Orangutan at Bukit Lawang, Langkat regency, North Sumatra. Seeing the orangutans is a magical experience. In Bukit Lawang, you can usually see them near the rehabilitation centre and at the feeding platform during the morning and afternoon feeding sessions. Feedings are daily at 8.00AM and 3.00PM. Attending the feeding costs Rp 20,000. The proceeds are used to keep the project running.

The best experience is an encounter in the jungle where there are many semi-wild and wild animals. The wild orangutan can be difficult to spot unless you go deep into the jungle. There are also white and black gibbons that make an amazing noise calling out to each other, and Thomas Leaf monkeys. If you are lucky, you may be able to see hornbills, toucans, moon snakes, monitor lizards. Since there are very few still alive, it is very improbable that either the Sumatran Tiger or the Sumatran Rhinoceros will be encountered, although footprints and droppings have been reported. For elephants, go to Tangkahan or near Ketambe you can trek further into the jungle to try and spot wild elephants.

The best time to visit the park is on June to October. There are several tourist attraction that can be done in the park, such as: mountain climbing, hiking, trekking through coastal forest, observing plants and animals, kayaking/canoeing and camping.

The number one reason to go to Gunung Leuser National Park is for a trek, whether that is mountain trekking or trekking to spot wildlife. A wide range of treks into the jungle looking for wildlife are available in Bukit Lawang, Ketembe and Tangkahan. There are many tours from 1 to 3 days (sleeping in the jungle) but more or less can probably be arranged too. For montain climbing or hiking, there are all multi-day treks to Gunung Leuser and Gunung Kemiri.

How to get to the park?

From Medan to Kutacane by car takes about 8 hours (240 km). From Kutacane to Gurah or Ketambe by car take about 30 minutes (35 km). From Medan to Bohorok or Bukit Lawang take about 1 hour by car (60 km). From Medan to Sei Betung or Sekundur take about 2 hours by car (150 km). From Medan to Tapaktuan takes about 10 hours by car (260 km).

For more information, please read How to get to Gunung Leuser National Park?.

How to get to Gunung Leuser National Park?

As previously has been reviewed in Trekking and Seeing Orangutans in Mount Leuser National Park, Gunung Leuser has the beauty of flora and fauna that are very interesting. Gunung Leuser National Park is the habitats for Sumatran Orangutans, Sumatran Elephant, Sumatran tiger, Sumatran rhinoceros, Siamang, Mainland Serow, Sambar deer, and Leopard Cat.

To reach the park, visitor should make a trip to Medan. Medan holds the nearest big airport for accessing the region. Numerous regular flight available from Jakarta or other city in Indonesia. If you have plan to hiking Gunung Leuser, you could fly to Kutacane from Medan, takes about 30 minutes.

From Medan to Bukit Lawang, can be reached by bus. Non air conditioned buses from Medan (Pinang Baris Bus Terminal) to Bukit Lawang was Rp 10,000/person (in October 2008), takes about 3-4 hours. There should be buses every 30 minutes. Back to Medan from Bukit Lawang, you can take a minibus (cost Rp 12,000/person (October 2008)) or a large bus (cost Rp 10,000, but they might ask for more). They alternate every 15 minutes from Bukit Lawang Bus Terminal.

From Medan to Kutacane, BTN and Karsima run several public minibuses that serve the traveling to and from both cities. The cost was Rp. 50.000 (January 2011). The journey takes about 7 hours. They leave from their ticket offices. They usually go via Berastagi where you can flag them down or hop off if you wish to make the detour.

From Kutacane to Ketambe, take a local mobil from the station by the market in Kutacane. The cost is Rp 10,000 (January 2011). The journey takes about 1 hour.

If you prefer the convenience of an air-conditioned transfer, a private car can be arranged for Polonia Airport or your Medan hotel pick-up. Many Bukit Lawang hotels will arrange this service for you in conjunction with an accommodation booking. As an alternative, car rentals are also available in Medan for approximately Rp. 350,000 a day.

South Bukit Barisan National Park, Exploring the Tropical Rainforest of Sumatra

South Bukit Barisan National Park is a national park aimed at protecting the biodiversity and the natural wealth in tropical rainforests of Sumatra island. South Bukit Barisan declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1935 and became a National Park in 1982. UNESCO made the South Bukit Barisan National Park as a World Heritage. At first the size of the park is 356,800 hectares, but the area of the park at this time is calculated by using GIS for approximately 324,000 hectares.

Bukit Barisan

It is located at the tip of the southwestern region of Sumatra. Seventy percent of the park (249,552 hectares) is included in the administrative areas of West Lampung and Tanggamus region, where both are part of Lampung province. The other part of the park covers 74,822 hectares are in the area of Kaur which is in the province of Bengkulu.

Among the plant species that can be found in the Park are Rafflesia Arnorldi, pidada (Sonneratia sp.), Casuarina Equisetifolia, Nypa Fruticans, Pandanus sp., meranti (Shorea sp.), Anisoptera Curtisii, Michelia Champaka, ramin (Gonystylus bancanus), rattan (Calamus sp.), Dipterocarpus sp., and damar (Agathis sp.). Characteristic of the Park are tall carrion flower (Amorphophallus decus-silvae), which can reach a height of more than 2 metres, giant carrion flower (A. titanum), and giant orchid / sugarcane (Grammatophylum speciosum). The park has some lowland forests in Sumatra's last protected. Very rich in biodiversity and it is home to three species of the most endangered large mammal in the world: Sumatran elephant (less than 2000 survived current), Sumatran rhino (total global population: 300 individuals and drastically diminishing in number) and the Sumatran tiger (the entire global population of around 400 individuals).

South Bukit Barisan National Park included in the Global 200 Ecoregions, namely ranking terrestrial habitats, freshwater and sea on earth the most striking from the biological point of view created by the WWF. The park is highlighted as a priority area for Sumatran rhino conservation through the Asian Rhino and Elephant Action Strategy (AREAS) of the WWF. In addition, IUCN, WCS and WWF have identified the park as a Tiger Conservation Unit, which is the most important forest areas for tiger conservation in the world. Finally, in 2002, UNESCO has chosen this area to be proposed as a World Heritage Cluster and Mountainous Areas together with Mount Leuser National Park and the Kerinci Seblat.

Tourist attraction that can be done in the park are exploring the forest, marine tours, swimming, boating, observing plants (rafflesia, carrion flower), observing animal (Sumatran rhinoceros and elephant), camping, and kayaking/canoeing. The best time to visit the park is on January to August.

How to get to the South Bukit Barisan National Park?

Map of South Bukit Barisan

There are several route to reach the park. Teluk Betung - Tanjung Karang - Kota Agung - Tampang by motor boat takes about 6 hours. Kota Agung - Banjarnegoro - Sukaraja Atas/Suwoh, takes about 4 hours by bus. Kota Agung - Kubu Perahu, about 7 hours by car.

Mountain Climbing at Mount Rinjani National Park

Mount Rinjani National Park is located on the island of Lombok, Indonesia in the North Lombok Regency. The park represents a range of Nusa Tenggara's ecosystem types, from sub-montane rain forest to montane forest and savanna. In 2008, the Indonesian government proposed to UNESCO that Mount Rinjani be one of the world's official geoparks. If this was approved by UNESCO, Mount Rinjani would become the first such geological park in Indonesia.

View from the northwest Calder Arand on the summit of Gunung Rinjani (3726m),
Gunung Baru smaller (2351m) and Segara Anak lake. Source: wikipedia.org

This national park covers about 41.330 hectares and it has a variety of flora, such as: Nettles (Laportea stimulant), Dedurenan (Aglaea argentea), Bayur (Pterospermum Javanicum), Banyan (Ficus Benjamina), Jambu-jambuan (Syzygium sp), keruing (Dipterocarpus Hasseltii), Rerau (D. imbricatus), Mountain Pine (Casuarina junghuniana), Eidelweis (Anaphalis Javanica) and several kinds of orchids that is endemic forest such as P.Lombokensis and Perisstylus Rinjaniensis. While the variety of fauna in Mount Rinjani National Park, such as: Weasel Rinjani (Paradoxurus Hemaprhoditus Rinjanicus), Deer (Muntiacus muntjak Nainggolani), ebony leaf monkey (Trachypithecus auratus Kohlbruggei), Pangolin (Manis javanicus), Horn Cikukua bird (Philemon Buceroides Neglectus), Dawah Forest (Ducula Lacernulata Sasakensis), black nape orioles (Oriolus Chinensis Broderipii) and some types of reptiles, plus a number of freshwater fish species that live in the Segara Anak lake. The lower and mid levels of the mountain are quite heavily forested. Above the tree line though the slopes are barren and rugged scree slopes and volcanic rock. The views of the crater lake are quite breath-taking from the caldera rim, as is the sunrise. From the absolute peak you can see Bali to the west and Sumbawa to the east.

Mount Rinjani view from Sembalun side.

Mount Rinjani is the second highest volcano in Indonesia with an altitude of 3726 m above sea level and is located at latitude 8º25' S and 116º28' E is a favorite for mountain climbers because of the beauty of the landscape. The park is popular for mountain climbing and trekking. It’s represents an important nature reserve and water catchement area. Mount Rinjani is best climbed during the April-November dry season. It is possible to climb during the rainy season as well but treks are often cancelled at short notice if the rain is heavy. It gets very cold on the mountain above 2,000 m and nears freezing at the summit. Warm clothing is an absolute must.

On the mountain crater (2.800mdpl) there is a inactive crater caused by the eruption of Mount Rinjani formed a vast lake (1.100hA) with beautiful scenery. The lake is called Segara Anak Lake, of the Sasak language means roughly Small Sea. Adequately describe the area of the lake. Lake water depth is estimated around 160m – 230m. Lake water temperature varied from the other side to the other side. The water of the lake there is a very strong sulfur smell so much like a very dangerous Moffet but those that smell like mountain water. In the middle of the Segara Anak lake there is a new mountain called Barujari Mount. Mount Barujari is believed to grow taller every year. The average rainfall in this region is the location of the height of 2.000ml/tahun 550mdpl – 3.726mdpl.

There are some tourist attractions in the park, for example: At mount Rinjani tourist can do mountain climbing, trekking and camping. At Segara Anak Lake, Sebau and Gunung Baru, tourist can do research, observing animals, enjoying natural phenomena and thermal springs, exploring the forest, cultural attraction. At Otakokkoq and Kembang Kuning tourist can enjoying thermal springs and waterfalls.

How to go to Mount Rinjani?

There are a number of options to get to Mount Rinjani:

• Mataram-Selong-Sambelia-Sembalun Lawang by car, it takes about 4.5 hours (140 km), then on foot to Segara Anak Lake, about 9 hours (25 km). 
• Mataram-Bayan-Senaru by car, about 2.5 hours (82 km), then on foot to Segara Anak Lake, about 9 hours (25 km). 
• Mataram-Bayan-Torean, about 2.5 hours (85 km), then on foot to Segara Anak Lake, about 7.5 hours. 
• Mataram-Masbagik-Kutaraja-Tetebatu, about 1.5 hours (60 km), then on foot to Otakokkoq, about 30 minutes.

Lorentz National Park, the Tourist Attractions in Papua

Lorentz National Park is located in the province of Papua, Indonesian. With an area of 25,056 km², the Park is the largest protected area in the Asia-Pacific region. it represents the most complete ecosystem for biodiversity in either Southeast Asia or the Pacific. It is also one of only three tropical areas in the world that has a glacier. Stretching from snow-covered peaks down to coastal waters and mangrove forest and bordering upon the Arafura Sea, this astonishing ecological spectrum ranges from alpine to lowland and wetland vegetation areas.

Puncak Jaya at the north-western edge of the Lorentz National Park.
Source: wikipedia.org

The park contains Puncak Jaya (Carstensz Pyramid), which at 4,884 metres is the tallest mountain between the Himalayas and the Andes. Puncak Jaya is surrounded by equatorial glaciers, which are rapidly retreating due to the effects of global warming. Lorentz National Park also has other unique features such as a river that disappears under the ground for several kilometres in the Baliem valley.

The forests of Lorentz encompass the traditional lands of eight indigenous ethnic groups, including the Asmat, Amungme, Dani, Sempan, and Nduga. The park contains many unmapped and unexplored areas, and is certain to contain many species of plants and animals as yet unknown to Western science.

There are 34 vegetation types that make up the forest area of the Park, including swamp forest, riparian forest, sago forest, peat forest, coastal forest, coral reef, slope/flat land rain forest, hillside rain forest, montane forest, grassy plains, and moss-covered areas. Among the species of plant that grow in this Park are Podocarpus pilgeri, Rhizophora apiculata, Pandanus julianettii, Nauclea coadunata, Nypa fruticans, and  Colocasia esculenta.

The Southern Crowned Pigeon found in Lorentz.
 Source: wikipedia.org

The Park have over 630 species of bird (around 70% of the total number of bird species in Papua) and 123 species of mammal. Birds include two species of cassowary, 31 species of cockatoo, 31 pigeon and dove species, 29 species of sunbird and 13 species of kingfisher. Six bird species are endemic to the Snow Mountains including the Snow Mountain Robin and Snow Mountain Quail, 26 species are endemic to the Central Papuan Ranges while three are endemic to the South Papuan Lowlands. Threatened species include the Pesquet's Parrot, Southern Crowned Pigeon, Macgregor's Giant Honeyeater, Southern Cassowary and Salvadori's Teal.

The mammal species include the Short-beaked echidna, Long-beaked echidna, and four species of cuscus as well as wildcats, wallabies and tree-kangaroos. Endemic to the Sudirman Range is the Dingiso, a tree kangaroo species only discovered in 1995.

The best time to visit the park is on August to December. Tourist can do cultural tourism, animal observation and mountain climbing.

How to go to the park?

From Timika, to the northern part of the Park by the local air service and to the southern part of the Park by sea from the Sawa Erma Port, then follow the trails to various locations.

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)