The Wildlife Conservation and Nature Reserves

Permits are necessary to visit the nature reserve which can be obtained from the PHPA office in Bogor or local offices. Facilities in the reserves are generally undeveloped and mast travel has to be done of foot or horseback. Some of the more important ones are:

Krakatau and Ujung Kulon

The total reserve area is 62,500 hectares and stands 570 metres above sea level.
By road from Jakarta or Bogor to Labuan on Java's west coast, or by ferry from Sumatra (to Anyer, north of Labuan), and thence by hired motorized fishing boat, taking a minimum of 5 hours from Labuan to Peucang Island. Two rest houses on Peucang offer limited furnished accommodation. Book first at the PHPA office at Labuan and take canned food along. The mainland reserve area is the last refuge for the 45-50 remaining Java rhinos, and is almost the last lowland rain forest in Java. Other wildlife species, gibbons, macaques, leaf monkeys, deer, pigs, bantengs, (Java's wild ox), and 222 species of bird species. Idyllic beaches, seascapes, and good coral. The Krakatau volcano, 40 kilometres from Labuan, is best visited from here on a one-day trip.

Gunung Leuser

Gunung Leuser reserve is 830,500 hectares in size and 500 to 3,500 metres above sea level, and can be reached by road from Medan, North Sumatra. Two research stations within the reserve function as an Orangutan Rehabilitation Station, providing a rare opportunity to see these great apes at close range. A boat trip on the Alas River which flows through the reserve is a good way to see the rain forest habitat of endangered species of rhinos, orangutans, tigers and elephants. There are also gibbons, leaf monkeys, jungle cats, forest deer, otters, hornbills and arguspheasants. Serown (goat antelope) live in the mountain forests at higher altitude.

Semenanjung Pangandaran

Only 100 metres high this reserve is only 530 hectares in size, and can be reached by road from Bandung. Public transport, guest house accommodation and food are all available. This reserve includes beaches, coral gardens, caves and nature walks. Intersting legends are associated with various topographical features. There are remains of a Javanese World War 11 fortification. This area is good for bird lovers.

South Sumatera

By road from Palembang or Tanjung Karang or from the Java Sumatra ferry port at Bakauheni. The reserve area includes most of the south western tip of Sumatra totaling 365,000 hectares, at a height of 1781 metres. There are turtle rookeries on the western beach, Good forests both at lowlands and mountains in the northern end of the reserve. Wildlife includes gibbons, elephants, tapirs, pigs, deer and the occasional tiger.

Meru Betiri

The reserve start at sea level and reaches 1,223 metres in an area of 5 hectares. By (rough) road, go from Genteng or Glenmore, both on the main Jember- Banyuwangi road. From Genteng, It's 70 kilometres to the south coast where there is a rest house (bedding, food, service) at Rajegwesi Bay, 2 kilometres from the reserve's eastern boundary. Coffee plantations occupy much of the lowland and thick forests. The steeper parts include precipitous headlands. Sukamade beach is a fine turtle rookery of its kind. Two species of the parasitic Rafflesia flower are fauna in Meru Betiri, which is the last refuge for the nearly extinct Java tiger.

Tongkolo - Dua Saudara

The reserve starts at sea level and reaches 1,109 metres in an area of 4,446 sq. metres. By road from Manado, North Sulawesi across the peninsula to Bitting harbour, then by boat. Two small guard posts within the reserve offer basic shelter, food and camping equipment. There is interesting volcanic scenery, and wildlife including anoas, macaques, babi-rusas, tarsiers, pygmy squirels, cucusea (marsupial phalangers), and hornbills. Megapode birds, lay their eggs in areas of volcanically heated sands.

Tanjung Puting

The reserve covers 205,000 hectares at 30 metres above sea level. By air from Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan to Pangkalan Bun, Central Kalimantan (PHPA Office) and then by road to Kumai l 15 kilometres), thense by boat on the Kumai and Sekunir Rivers into the reserve. This is an interesting boat trip through swamp forest full of bird life, particularly waterfowl; the Bornean proboscis monkeys, so called from the large pendulous nose of the male, easily visible in the riverine trees. In the northern part of the resserve is a "rehabilitation station" for Bornean orang utans which is also the study area of resident scientists. There is a guest house at their camp. Advanced reservations are necessary. Take canned food along.

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