indonesia’s tropical rainforest and unique wildlife

Category : Adventure | Posted On Jan 18, 2017

Indonesia's landscape is strewn with large dense tropical rainforests that undulate from mountain tops to deep valleys and are habitat to some of the world’s most numerous and diverse plant and endemic wildlife species. These have been designated protected national parks with the largest in the archipelago spread over swathes of Sumatra, Borneo (Kalimantan), Sulawesi and Papua. These are, moreover, vitally important, since they are also home to human settlements and now a more endangered to almost extinct wildlife.

A number of Indonesia’s awesome national parks are open to allow visitors to get real close and personal to these unique animals in their own habitat. To help you along and venture into the wild, here is a short list to start you off:

The Tanjung Puting National Park in Central Kalimantan

Welcome to the jungle!,Tanjung Puting one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kalimantan. It is like a fictional jungle book adventure that comes to life. Here is where you can fancy yourself an explorer going into deep tropical rainforests on a river boat to meet wild orangutans and other exotic animals. Located in Central Kalimantan province, the area was originally declared as a game reserve in 1935 and became a National Park in 1982. Here Orangutans are mainly the reason why tourists and nature lovers venture into this park, which was made famous by the meticulous and strenuous work done by the Orangutan Research and Conservation Program based at the Camp Leaky research station.

The Tangkoko Nature Reserve in North Sulawesi

The Tangkoko Nature Reserve in North Sulawesi is a haven for some of the world's most unique and rarest animals and plants. The most famous destination within this reserve is the Batuputih Park, which is the only place where you can stare back at lovable wide-eyed tarsiers in their natural habitat. Tarsiers are known as the world's smallest type of monkey despite not being a monkey at all. This creature is actually a primate, no bigger than the size of an adult male's hand.

The Way Kambas National Park

Located in Lampung at the southernmost end of the island of Sumatra, just across the ominous Krakatau volcano, the Way Kambas National Park encompasses no less than 1,300 km2 of land by the Way Kambas river. This park is particularly popular as a preserve for Sumatran elephants, but is also a haven for a variety of rare and endangered species, where Sumatran tigers are let loose, and is also home to the Sumatran rhino.

The Ujung Kulon National Park in Banten province

Located on the south - western - most tip of the island of Java, and opposite the Krakatau Volcano on the Java side, the Ujung Kulon National Park is Indonesia's first national park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991, this park is rarely visited despite it being the most well known national park in the country. This may be quite positive because the national park has a very well preserved ecosystem of flora and fauna due to rare human interference. There are, however, a number of islands fronting the park like Umang Island and others surrounding it, that have become favorite ecotourism destinations.

The Alas Purwo National Park

Aside from being home to some of Indonesia's rare and endangered species, Alas Purwo National Park is much more than a regular nature reserve. The park is located in Banyuwangi district, East java, and is believed by locals to be the site where the earth first emerged from the ocean. The name Alas Purwo itself literally means “Ancient Forest or The Premordial Forest”. Many seeking spiritual enlightenment and mystics come here during the month of Suro, which is the Javanese New Year.

Before you confidently go venturing into the wild,Please take note of these tips below:

· Dress appropriately. Wear light, breathable clothing that dries quickly. Drab colors are preferable; avoid whites and reds. Although it is hot, long sleeves and pants prevent scratches and insect bites. Use insect repellent and tuck your pants into your socks to minimize insect, leech and mite bites.

· Bring a good pair of binoculars. Without these, the most amazing birds will just seem like a speck of dirt from afar.

· Go slowly, quietly and in small groups (no more than 5) so animals will be less likely to be disturbed by your presence.