Beautiful Place

Lore Lindu



Lore Lindu National Park is a forested protected area on the Indonesia Island of Sulawesi, in the province of Central Sulawesi. Located on the beautiful yet complex looking rift valleys and steep folds of the mountains in the central part of Sulawesi. Lore Lindu National Park covers an area of 217.991,98 hectares, with an altitude range of 200 - 2.355 m above sea level. Geographical location between 119o57' - 120o22' East and 1o03' - 1o58' South.

The easiest access to visit the national park is from Palu to Kamarora (50 km in 2,5 hours drive). Due to alot of rainfall up to 4.000 mm/year in the southern part of the national park. The best time to visit is from July to September. The heaviest rain period occurs during the monsoon which lasts from November to April.

The boundaries of the park are defined by the Palolo Valley to the north. Napu Valley to the east and Bada Valley to the south. The western boundary is formed by a series of narrow valleys, known collectively as the Kulawi Valley. The Palolo, Napu, Lindu and Besoa Valleys were once lakes, now partially filled with sediment. Lake Lindu (Danau Lindu) is the only large lake remaining today. The small fish Oryzias sarasinorum is endemic to the lake. 

The climate is tropical with high humidity. Temperature vary only a few degrees over the course of the year, between 26o C - 32o C in lowland areas. The temperature drops in the highland areas about 6o C with every 1.100 metres rise in altitude.

The plant species that can be found in both lowland tropical forest and sub-montane forest include Eucalyptus deglupta, Pterospermum celebicum, Cananga odorata, Gnetum gnemon, Castanopsis argentea, Agathis philippinensis, Philaclados hypophyllus, medicinal plants, and rattan.

The biodiversity of this park is rich in animal species, with 117 species of mammals, 88 species of birds, 29 species of reptiles, and 19 species of amphibians. More than 50 % of the species inhabiting the park are endemic animals like the Tonkean macaque (Macaca tonkeana tonkeana), Babi Rusa (Babyrousa babyrussa celebensis), Diannae Tarsier (Tarsius diannae), Lesser-Sulawesi Tarsier (Tpumilus), Bear Cuscus (Ailurops ursinus furvus), Small  Cuscus (Strigocuscus celebensis callenfelsi), Sulawesi Rat (Rattus celebensis), Maleo Fowl (Macrocephalon maleo), Sulawesi Palm Civet (Macrogalidia musschenbroekii musschenbroekii), Gold Snake (Elaphe erythrura and Ejanseni), Sulawesi Frog (Bufo celebensis), and six fish species, including an endemic species in Lake Lindu, Xenopoecilus sarasinorum.

Surroundinng the park, there are 117 villages, from which 62 are located on the border of the park and one is within the park. The local population belongs to the Kaili, Kulavi and Lore ethnic groups. There are also migrants from South Sulawesi, Java and Bali.

Besides the riches of its natural resources, Lore Lindu National Park also has some impressive groups of megaliths which are among the best megalithic monuments in Indonesia. There are over 400 granite megaliths in the area, of which about 30 represent human forms. They vary in size from a few centimetres to 4.5 metres. The original purpose of the megaliths is unknown. Other megaliths are in form of large pots (Kalamba) and stone plates (Tutu'na). Various archeological studies have dated the carvings from between 3.000 BC to 1.300 AD.

Megalithic statues dot the Napu, Besoa and Bada valley, there are five categories classified by shape  :

  1. Megalith : these statues have human features, but only the face, shoulders and genetalia are usually distinct,
  2. Kalamba : these are stones ums, most probably sarcophagi associated with the burial of nobility.
  3. Tutu'na : these are large stone disks, probably the lids of Kalamba,
  4. Batu Dakon : these are flat or convex stones with channels, irregular pitting and other depressions,
  5. Others : include stone mortars, house supports and range of other shapes.

Declare by Ministry of Forestry No. 646/Kpts-II/1999. June 23, 1999.