Halimun - Salak

Gunung Halimun - Salak National Park represent the ecosystem types of lowland rain forest, sub montane forest. Most of the forest areas of this Park are situated in mountainous terrain with several rivers and waterfalls. The area protects the hydrological function of the regencies of Bogor, Lebak and Sukabumi.

Located in West Java, Gunung Halimun - Salak, Sundanese for 'The Mountains of the Mist', contains some of Indonesia's largest remaining lowland and montane forest. The area has been a nature reserve since the 1930's; therefore in 1992 the Government changed it's status to a National Park. The Park has abundant untouched wildlife and stunning scenery. Each year visitors come to Gunung Halimun - Salak National Park to explore mountainous terrain, canyons, rivers and waterfalls, natural hot spring, tropical forest and tea plantations in the middle of the park.

With an approximately 40,000 hectares, this park is a nirvana for the endemic (native) wildlite of West Java. More than 200 species of endemic, rare of common birds including the endangered Javan Hawk Eagle, as well as several species of primates, including Javan Gibbon, Javan Leaf Monkey, and Black Leaf Monkey reside within the park.

Halimun - Salak National Park located on geographical location between 106^o21' - 106^o38' East and 6^o37' - 6^o51' South, temperature 30^oC on average, rainfall 4.000 - 6.000 mm/year, altitude 500 - 1,929 m above sea levell.

Among the plants that dominate the forest areas of the park are Rasamala (Altingia excelsa), Jamuju (Dacrycarpus imbricatus), and Puspa (Schima wallichii). About 75 orchid species grow in the park and several of them are categorized as endangered species, including Bulbophylum binnendykii, Bulbophyllum angustifolium, Cymbidium ensifolium and Dendrobium macrophyllum.

This park forms a habitat for several endangered animal like Lesser Malay Mouse Deer (Tragulus javanicus javanicus), Javan Gibbon (Hylobates moloch), Javan Leaf Monkey (Presbytis comata comata), Ebony Leaf Monkey (Trachypithecus auratus), Barking Deer (Munciacus muntjak), Panther (Panthera pardus) and Asian Wild Dog (Cuon alpinus javanicus).

There are about 204 species of birds, of which 90 are permanent and 35 are endemic to Java, such as the Javan Hawk Eagle (Spizaetus bartelsi). Two species of bird, the spotted crocias (Crocias albonotatus) and the Red Fronted Laughing Thrush (Garrulax rufifrons), are threatened with extinction. The Javan Hawk Eagle, which is identical to Indonesia's National Symbol, the Garuda, can be quite easily spotted in the Park. With its wet climate, this park is the source for several year round river, and it boasts eight beautiful waterfalls which have great potential as tourist or recreation attractions.

Inside and around Gunung Halimun - Salak National Park also live ethnic Sundanese who are integrated into the customs of societies called 'Kesatuan Masyarakat Adat Kasepuhan Banten Kidul'. They live a life with an agricultural slash and burn pattern known as 'semi permanent'. This way of life comes from their ancestral beliefs called 'tatali paranti karuhun' (ancestor's manner). This belief influences all aspects of the Kasepuhan community. The cyclical pattern is called semi permanent because it is not defined pursuant of the crop season, but rather emphasizes at rule 'wahyu' (divine inspiration) from their ancestors.

The philosophy of the ancestor's is continually cyclical. The cosmovision or the 'Kasepuhan' believe that in the universe physical elements and social systems are intimately connected. The universe will continue to exist as long as its laws of regularity and equilibrium, controlled by its cosmic center can maintain all its elements in balance. They believe that every violation of the ancestor's law will cause disaster, not only to those who violate it, but also to the whole community. That believe becomes the basis for their perception of 'Hutan Titipan'


Declared by Minister of Forestry No. 285/Kpts-II/1992, February 26, 1992.

Gede Pangrango

Gede Pangrango National Park, together with four others, was established under a declaration made by the Minister of Agriculture on  March 6,1980. These first five park had the distinction of launching Indonesia's National Park Program

The Park, covering 15,196 Ha, envolved from several already existing conservation areas. Cibodas Nature Reserve (240 Ha), gazetted in 1889, was the oldest reserve in Indonesia and in 1925 was extended to 1,040 Ha, Cimungkat Nature Reserve (56 Ha) gazetted ini 1919, Situgunung Recreational Park (120 Ha) gazetted in 1975, and Mount Gede Pangrango Nature Reserve (14,000 Ha) gazetted in 1978.

The park is situated between longitudes 106^o51' - 107^o02' east, and latitude 6^o41' - 6^o51' south. Administratively, it is shared between the Regencies of Bogor, Cianjur and Sukabumi.

Gede Pangrango is one of the wettest part of Java with a mean annual rainfall between 3.000 and 4.000 mm and with, even in the four dries consecutive months of the year, still more than 40 rainy days. The wettest season in from October to May, coinciding with the Northwest monsoon, with more than 200 mm of rain every month and over 400 mm per month between December and March (the park is usually closed during this period). 

The best time for visiting this park is during the driest months (June - September), when average monthly rainfall drops below 100 mm. Annual average temperature varies from about 18^o C, in Cibodas to less than 10^o C at the top of Pangrango Mount while the relative humidity varies between 80% and 90%.

The Gede Pangrango area has been the centre of much research over the last two centuries, so establishing its worldwide reputation. Sir Thomas Raffles organized the building of a path on the south-eastern slopes in 1811, although the earliest recorded climb of Mount Gede was by C.G.C Reinwardt in 1819. 

Other explorations were conducted by F.W. Junghuhn (1839 - 1861), J.E. Teysman (1839), A.R. Wallace (1861), S.H. Koorders (1890), M. Treub (1891) and W.M. Van Leeuen (1911). C.G.G.J. Van Steenis (1920 - 1952) collected and studied here in preparation for his now famous book "The Mountain Flora of Java", published in 1972.

Today, many Indonesian and foreign scientist carry on the tradition and as a result these mountains are one of the most well researched tropical forest system in the world. Even so, in such a set of complex ecosystem, exact relationships between the myriad of species will keep biologist intrigued for many decades to come. Climate, topography and vegetation all interact.

The park is within easy reach by road from Jakarta and Bandung, and the main entrance at Cibodas is situated about 120 km, or about 2.5 hours by car from Jakarta, and 85 km or about 2 hours by car from Bandung. It is also accessible from Cipanas and Pacet through Gunung Putri, just east of Cibodas, and from Sukabumi through Selabintana from the south at about 60 km or 1.5 hours by car from Bogor. 

Another entrance is Situgunung, which can be reached through Cisaat, just west of Sukabumi. From these entrances, except from Situgunung, there are trails to the summits of Gunung Gede and Pangrango.

Gunung Gede Pangrango are a part of the great belt of volcanoes which extends in an arch through Sumatera, Java and the Lesser Sundas. These volcanoes were formed during the Quarternary period between 3 million years ago and the present time. 

Pangrango and Gede are thus comparative new mountain geologically, though the former is the older of the two, no longer displaying any sign of volcano activity, while Gede is still semi active with a well defined crater within which gases escape from fumaroles. Gunung Gede (2,958 m) and Pangrango (3,019 m) are connected by a high saddle at about 2,500 m. Slopes are very step and are incised by valleys forming steep-sided ridges between them radiating out toward the flat plains of Bogor, Cianjur and Sukabumi.

Declared by Minister of Forestry No. 174/Kpts-II/2003, July 10, 2003.

Ciremai

Mount Ciremai National Park (TNGC) is a conservation area located in the province of West Java, Indonesia. This national park is intended to protect the living resources and environment in the region of Mount Ciremai.

Mount Ciremai National Park has an area of 15,000 hectares partially in Majalengka Regency (6,927.9 Ha) and partly in the Kuningan Regency (8,931.27 Ha). In the northern forest area is adjacent to the area of Cirebon; in the south, the boundaries are located in areas Cigugur, Kadugede, Nusaherang and Darma, in the west are in the area Majalengka.

Mount Ciremai National Park is between the lines of longitude 108^o21'35'' - 108^o28'00'' East longitude and latitude lines 6^o50'25'' - 6^o58'26'' South latitude. Topography is mostly undulating (64 %) and steep (22 %), is mountainous, with the highest peak at an altitude of 3,078 m above sea level. Toward the top of Cigugur quite rich in tree species. Listed among the types of 'Saninten' (Castanopsis argentea, C. javanica), 'Pasang' (Lithocarpus elegans and L. sundaicus), 'Mara' (Macaranga denticulata), and 'Janitri' (Elaeocarpus obtusus, and E. Petiolatus stipularis).

Mount Ciremai (3,078 m asl) is the volcano is still and the type of Strato. Administratively included in the three district, namely Kabupaten Cirebon, Kuningan and Majalengka Regency, West Java. The geographical position of the peak is located at 6^o53'30'' latitude and 108^o24'00'' East longitude. This mountain has a distinctive when compared with other mountains on the island of Java, as well as Mount Slamet, the mountain is separated from the other high mountains, but Mount Ciremai are closer to the Java Sea. The activities of the last recorded in 1973, a tectonic earthquake is strong enough.

Furthermore, based on micro climatic conditions, environmental distinguish Ciremai upper plateau of dry and wet highland. For example, land in the Resort Setianegara (lane north Linggarjati) micro dry climates and in the Resort Cigugur (Palutungan Point, the southern mountain) including micro wet climates, which form a special vegetation belt. This mountain has a double crater, western crater radius is truncated by a crater 400 m east of radius 600 m. At an altitude of about 2,900 m above sea level on the southern slope there are ex-point eruption called 'Goa Walet'.

The protected flora are the types of Saninten (Castanopsis argentea, C. javanica, C. tungurrut) and Pairs (Lithocarpus elegants and L. sundaicus), of the tribe Fagaceae; Jenitri (Elaeocarpus obtusus, and E. petiolatus, E. stipularis), spare Elaeocarpaceae; Mara (Macaranga denticulata) and Kareumbi (Omalanthus populneus), Euphorbiaceae tribe; various Jirak (Symplocos fasciculata, S. Spicara, S. sessilifolia, S. theaefolia), Symplocaceae; the types of fig (Ficus including padana and F. racemosa), Moraceae; Puspa (Schima wallichii) and Ki Sapu (Eurya acuminata), Theaceae, etc.

Mount Ciremai also serve as an important area for birds (IBA, Important Bird Areas JID 24) as well as endemic bird areas (EBA, Endemic Bird Areas DBE 160). Some of the status of vulnerable species (IUCN: VU, vulnerable), for example Plop Java (Otus angelinae) and Ciung Mungkal Java (Chochoa azurea). Noted also at least 18 other species with the status of range birds (restricted bird areas) as well as the Java Quail Barking (Aborophyla javanica), Walik (Ptilinopus porphyreus), Takur Bututut (Megalaima corvina), Blue Berkecet (Cinclidium ciana), Poksai (Garrulax rufifrons), Cica (Crocias albonotatus), Opior Java (Lophozosterops javanicus), Walnut Wilt (Serinus estherae), and others. Cucak mountain is one of the restricted range bird species found in Ciremai. Some important mammal species found here, like leopard (Panthera pardus); Surili (Presbytis comata); Eboni Leaf Monkey (Trachypithecus auratus); Javan Slow Loris of Face Geni (Nycticebus javanicus); Muncak Deer (Muntiacus muntjak); and Pelanduk Java (Tragulus javanicus).

Declared by Minister of Forestry No. 424/Menhut-II/2004, October 19, 2004.

Bromo Tengger Semeru

Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park has sub montane, montane and sub-alpine ecosystem types, with big trees that are hundreds of years old. In Addition, there are about 137 species of birds, 22 species of mammals, and four species of reptiles in this park. Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park is the only conservation area in Indonesia that has a sand 'sea'. This unique feature covers a total area of 5,250 hectares at an altitude of about 2,100 m above sea level.

Beneath the sand sea, seven eruption centres have been found along two intersecting lines, one from east to west and the other from northeast to southwest. From this northeast-southwest line emerged Mount Bromo, an active volcano which intermittently emits smoke and ash, and is an ever-present threat to the lives of some 3,500 peoples living below. The crater of Mount Bromo has a diameter of about 800 metres from north to south and 600 metres from east to west. Most of the area within a radius of 4 km from the crater centre is considered hazardous.

A total area of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park is 50,276.2 hectares, geographical location is 112^o47' - 113^o10' East and 7^o51' - 8^o11' South.

The national park is named after its two mountains, Mount Semeru (the highest in Java at 3,676 m asl), Mount Bromo (the most popular) and the Tengger peoples who inhabit the area.

Temperature are refreshingly cool during the day but outright cold at night as temperatures can drop close to zero in the summer and are rarely much above 5^o C in winter. Daytime temperatures anywhere in the park never exceed 20^o C with low teens being normal. It can rain at anytime and the mean average rainfall is 6,600 mm. Most of that comes in the wet season though November to March. During periods of heavy rain in January and February especially, many part of the park are inaccessible due to flooding. Landslips are also a real issue at these times.

Mount Semeru, also known as Mahameru ('Great Mountain'), is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes. What stands out most about this mountain is the fact that it erupt periodically (and very reliably so). Every 20 minutes or so, the volcano belches out a huge cloud of steam and smoke, sometimes interspersed with ash and stones. Climbing Mount Semeru requires some planning and a permit from the national park authority. The mountain is often closed due to its highly active nature.

Mount Bromo (2,329 m asl) is easily recognized as the entire top has been blown off and the crater insied constantly belches white sulphurous smoke. It sits inside the massive Tengger caldera (diameter approximately 10 kms), surrounded by the 'Laut Pasir' (sea of sand) of fine volcanic sand. The overall effect is unsettlingly, unearthly, especially when compared to the lush green valleys all around the caldera.

The Tenggerese peoples that live around the park are indigenous to the area and adhere to ancient Hindu beliefs. According to legend, the ancestors of the tribe were members of the Majapahit kingdom who went to exile. Strangely, despite being aware of the potential dangers of Mount Bromo, the local people seem unafraid. 

The same goes for the visitors who come to the park in great numbers, particularly around the time of the 'Upacara Kasodo'. The Upacara Kasodo (Kasodo Ceremony) is held every year (December/January) at the full moon. Through this ceremony, the Tenggerese invoke the blessing of the deities to ensure an abundant harvest, to be spared from calamity and to be cured of various diseases. To earn such blessings, they climb down the sides of the crater to catch the offering thrown into the crater by other members of the community above. The scramble for some of the participant to tumble down to the crater's floor.


Declared by Minister of Forestry No. 278/Menhut-VI/1997, May 23, 1997.

Baluran

Baluran National Park is a forest preservation area on the north coast of East Java. The location is in Sumberwaru village, Banyuwangi district, Situbondo (on the east border of Java Island). It has a relatively dry climate and consists of lowland forests, savanna, mangrove forests and hills, with Mount Baluran (1.247 above sea level) as its highest peak.

Baluran National Park is situated at the north-eastern extremity of Java, close to the islands of Bali and Madura. The park is bordered by the Madura Strait to the north, the Bali Strait to the east, the river Bajulmati (Wonorejo village) to the west and the river Klokoran (Sumber Anyar village) to the south. The park is a rough circle, with the extinct volcano. Baluran at its centre. It's total area is 25.000 ha, it consists of five zones, the Main Zone (12.000 ha), the Wilderness Zone (5.537 ha, comprising 1.063 ha water and 4.574 ha land), the Intensive Utilization Zone (800 ha), the Spesific Utilization Zone (5.780 ha), and the Rehabilitation Zone (783 ha).

The park is dominated by forest and savana vegetation. The coastline is formed by irregular peninsulas and bays. Near the coast are living coral areas, sandbanks, and mudflats. The peninsulas are covered with mangroves, while other part of the coastline are covered with swamp forest. The volcano is covered with lowland and upland monsoon forest.

There are 444 species of plant growing in this park, including curious and indigenous species like Widoro Bukol (Ziziphus rotundifolia), Mimba (Azadirachta indica), and Pilang (Acacia leucophloea). These tree species are able to adapt to very arid conditions, remaining green while the plants around them wither. Other plants in the park include Tamarind (Tamarindus indica), Gadung (Dioscorea hispida), Kemiri (Aleurites moluccana), Gebang (Corypha utan), Api-api (Avicennia sp.), Kendal (Cordia obliqua), Manting (Syzygium polyanthum), and Kepuh (Sterculia foetida).

The 26 species of mammal include the Banteng (Bos javanicus javanicus), Asian Wild Dog (Cuon alpinus javanicus), Barking Deer (Muntiacus muntjak muntjak), Timor Deer (Cervus timorensis russa), Panther (Panthera pardus), Lesser Malay Mouse Deer (Tragulus javanicus pelandoc), Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus), and Ebony Leaf Monkey (Trachypithecus auratus auratus). The Banteng is the mascot of Baluran National Park.

In addition, there are about 155 species of bird, some of them endangered species like the Green Peafowl (Pavo muticus), Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus), Malabar Hornbill (Anthracoceros coronatus conversus), Rhinoceros Hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros silvestris), Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceae), and Lesser Adjutant Stork (Leptoptilos javanicus).

Baluran National Park has a typical Monsoon climate with a long dry season. It is of type F in the Schmid & Fergusson system of climate classification. The temperature varies between 27,2oC and 30,9oC, humidity averages 77 %, wind velocity average 7 knots and the wind direction is influenced by a strong south-east wind. The rainy season lasts from November to Aprril and the dry season from April to October. The highes rainfall is in December and January.

Baluran National Park has a radial water system. The Kacip river flows from the caldera to Labuhan Merak beach. The Klokoran and Bajulmati rivers from the western and southern borders of the park. Many stream beds form in the short wet season, but the water is absorbed in great quantity by the very porous volcanic ash, and after it reaches the hardened underground lava it comes to the surface in form of springs in coastal areas (Popongan, Kelor, Bama, Mesigit, Bilik, Gatel, Semiang and Kepuh), in downhill areas (Talpat spring), in Air Tawar Bay and on the Sedano peninsula. In wet seasons the black soils are least permeable, and water then flows on the surface, forming many pools, particularly in the southern area from Talpat to Bama. In the longn dry periods, those pools are often dry.

Declared by Minister of Forestry No.  279/Menhut-VI/1997, May 23, 1997

Alas Purwo

Alas Purwo National Park (Taman Nasional Alas Purwo) is a national park located in the district and subdistrict Tegal Dlimo Purwoharjo, Banyuwangi Regency, East Java, Indonesia. Geographically located at the eastern tip of Java Island south coast region between 8^o26'45'' - 8^o47'00'' South and 114^o20'16'' - 114^o36'00'' East. The park is famous for its Wild Banteng (Bos javanicus) and world-class surfing location at Grajakan Bay. The park's name means first forest or ancient forest, in accordance with a Javanese legend that says the earth first emerged from the ocean here. 

The park, in the far southeast corner of Banyuwangi, covers 43.420 hectares of land consisting of savanna, mangrove forest, beach forest and lowland tropical forest. Indeed, the jungle embracing its beaches appears to have materialized straight from the sea. Alas Purwo is also home to rare and endangered mammals, including the Asiatic Wild Dog, Wild Oxen and Leopards. Thousands of migrating birds visit it pristine forest each year and turtles come to lay their eggs on its secluded beaches. And for surfers, the park's coastline boasts one of the best and most consistent reef-breaks in the world.

It is home to some of Java's endangered species, such as the Javanese Bull (Bos javanicus). There is no valid information of bull population in the park. In April 2004, there were only 57 bulls found in the savanna of Sadengan, while the population in the previous year was estimated to be 80 to 100. Groups of bulls usually come to Sadengan in the morning and afternoon in search of plants. The biggest threat to the bull are humans. Poachers set traps outside the park during the dry season to snare bulls wandering outside the park in search of water. The bulls are slaughtered and the meat sold.

Diversity of fauna in the area of Alas Purwo National Park generally can be divided into four classes of Mammals, Aves, Pisces, and Reptiles. Mammals recorded for 31 species, among which : Wild Banteng (Bos javanicus), Deer (Cervus timorensis), Ajag (Cuon alpinus), Wild Boar (Sus scrofa), Barking Deer (Muntiacus muncak), Leopard (Panthera pardus), Monkey (Trachypithecus auratus), Gray Monkey (Macaca fascicularis), and Monitor Lizard (Varanus salvator). Birds that have been identified consisting of 236 species of land birds and water birds, some of whom are migrant birds that have been identified are 39 types. Conspicuous bird species include : Forest Chicken (Gallus gallus), Kangkareng (Antracoceros coronatus ), Rangkok (Buceros undulatus), Peacock (Pavo muticus) and Java Kingfisher (Halcyon cyanoventris). As for reptiles of 20 species have been identified.

Alas Purwo National Park is one representative of lowland rain forest ecosystem in Java Indonesia, there are unique and endemic plants in this national park like Kecik Sapodilla (Manilkara kauki) and Bamboo Manggong (Gigantochloa manggong). Other plants are Ketapan (Terminalia cattapa), Nyampung (Calophyllum inophyllum), Kepuh (Sterculia foetida ), Keben (Barringtonia asiatica), and 13 more types of bamboo.

There are approximately 16 species of Australian migratory birds that can be seen at Segoro Anakan in the period of October - Desember including the Cekakak Suci (Halcyonchloris /Todiramphus sanctus), Kirik-kirik Laut (Merops philippinus), Trinil Pantai (Actitis hypoleucos ), and Trinil Semak (Tringa glareola).

Kebatinan (traditional Javanese mystical belief), followed by communities in Central and East Java, centres on inner and outer spirituality, and the connection between the natural and supernatural worlds. As its Javanese name suggest, Alas Purwo is the place where, according to Javanese mysticism, the earth first emerged from the ocean.

Followers of Javanese mysticism also believe that spirits inhabit trees, rocks, rivers, and springs. And those well versed in Ilmu Jawa, or Javanese mysticism, are said to have the ability take on the form of wild animals. So for followers of Javanese mysticism, Alas Purwo's rich flora and fauna also makes it a highly revered place.In Javanese mysticism, there is a fine line between the natural world and the parallel dimension of spirits. 


Declared by Minister of Forestry No. 190/Kpts-II/1993, February 26, 1993.

Way Kambas

Way Kambas National Park is a national park covering 125.621,30 hectares in Lampung province, Southern Sumatra, Indonesia.

It consists of swamp forest and lowland rain forest, mostly of secondary growth as result of extensive logging in the 1960 and 1970. Despite decreasing populations, the park still has a few critically endangered Sumatran Tigers, Sumatran Elephan and Sumatran Rhinoceroses. It also provides excellent birdwatching, with the rare White-winged Wood Duck among the over 320 species present in the park.

Threats to the park are posed by poaching and habitat loss due to the illegal logging. Conservation efforts include patrolling and the establishment of the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary and the Elephant Conservation Centre.

Way Kambas has ben established as game reserve by the Dutch administration in 1937, but only in 1989 has been declared a National Park.

Significant encroachment has occured along the southern boundary of the park by villagers claiming traditional land rights. Road and trails into the park are starting point for illegal logging that penetrates into the interior of the park. This resulted in the forest coverage declining to 60 % of the park. In 2009 - 2010 an area of 6.000 hectares which was occupied by squatters for decades has been evicted.

Wells left behind by relocated communities in 1984, have proven to be deadly traps for the animals, including baby elephants, rhinos and tigers. In a conservation effort between 2008 and 2010 around 2.000 wells have been closed.

The park has many species of plant include Avicennia marina, Sonneratia species, Nypa fruticans, Melaleuca leucadendra, Syzygium polianthum, Pandanus species, Schima wallichii, Shorea species, Dipterocarpus gracilis and Gonystylus bancanus. The sandy shores or the park are dominated by Casuarina equisetifolia.

The park has 50 species of mammals, many of them critically endangered. There are about 20 Sumatran Rhinoceros in the area, down from around 40 in 1990. The number of Sumatran Elephants in the park was estimated to 180 in 2005. The population of Sumatran Tigers has declined from 36 - 40 in 2000, to less than 30. Other mammals in the park are Malayan Tapir, Dhole (Cuon alpinus sumatrensis) and Siamang (Hylobates syndactylus syndactylus).

Way Kambas has a lot to offer for birdwatchers. Over 320 species of birds have been recorde in the park with several members of prized families like pheasants, broadbills, pittas, hornbills and frogmouths present. The main vegetation type is lowland dipterocarp rainforest, which is almost entirely secondary. Much swamp-forest, especially nibung swamp, are still to be found in mor or less their original condition. These areas are probably the best place in the world to see White-winged Duck (Catrina scutulata). In the dry season, when the water level is low, you have a good chance of finding these shy and wary birds. The most reliable areas have been in the Rawa Gajah (Elephant swamp) swamps upriver from Way Kanan. Other swamp forest specialities also present here include Storm's Stork Ciconia stormi and Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos Javanicus).

For most birders, however, Way Kambas means the ultimate night-birding heaven in Asia, not only the great variety of the otherwise scarce and hard to-come-by species is what makes this national park world famous but also the relative ease in finding them. Way Kambas is by far the most reliable site in the world for Large Frogmouth (Batrachostomus auritus) and the near endemic Bonaparte's Nightjar (Caprimulgus concretus). Other interesting nightbirds include Gould's B. stellatus and Sunda Frogmouths B. cornutus, Oriental Bay Owl (Otus rufescens) and Malaysian Eared Nightjar (Eurostopodus temminckii). All these target can be found aling the main jeep-track. Dusk is usually better for the nightjar and scops owls, while later in the night, especially around 22:00 and 04:30, is better for the Frogmouths and Oriental Bay Owl.

If your time in Way Kambas National Park is limited, we would suggest birding at the Way Kanan substation and concentrating on the main jeep track, the loop trail an the Rawa Gajah Swamps.

The Elephant Conservation Centre (ECC) has been established in the 1980. The elephants in the centre have been domesticated and used for heavy work, ecotourism, patrol and breeding. The ECC will be provided with an Elephant Hospital which will become the first of its kind in Indonesia and the largest in Asia. The Elephant hospital will be bulit on a 5-hectares area with a Rp. 10 billion ($ 1,11 million) investment and expected to initial operations in 2014.


Declared by Minister of Forestry and Estate Crop No. 670/Kpts-II/1999, August 26, 1999.