Asia Nature Travel

Way Kambas National Park is one of the oldest reserve in Indonesia. Its occupies 1300 sq km of coastal lowland forest around Way Kambas river on the east coast of Lampung. This area is home for endangered species of rhinos, elephants and tigers.
Closed to 200 wild Sumatran elephant live in the park, but reliable estimates are uncertain and poaching and development pressure are constant. The Sumatran elephant is a subspecies of the Asian elephant and its found only Sumatra and Kalimantan. Sumatran rhino is another rare and endemic species in Way Kambas. This rhino has only two-horned and hide is red in color with a hairy coat.

In Java, among community who love the outdoors sport, Gunung salak is one of their goals to meet the satisfaction for how to appreciate and love nature. Gunung Salak located near Jakarta City, it the has scenery and natural charm view that is still beautiful. If you want to try an adventure tour with a climb of Mount Salak, you can use some climbing lane, one through Girijaya Line and Line Kutajaya (Cimelati).
Mount Salak since time immemorial has been frequently visited by pejiarah (religious visitors), because there is a statue on top of the mountain cult Salak. In addition there are also grave Mount Salak Grandparent who frequented visited by pejiarah. Meanwhile, at the foot of Mount Salak many sacred places, one of which is the shrines and temples have also called the Temple of Prabu Siliwangi.

Cenderawasih Bay Marine National Park (Taman Nasional Laut Teluk Cenderawasih) consists of 18 islands and 500km of coastline, and at 14,300 sq km is the largest of its kind in Indonesia. It is home to endangered species of giant clams, turtle and dugong, and offers some of the best trekking, diving and bird watching. With 130 types of coral and 150 bird species.

Like most Papua, however exploration is severely hindered by government travel regulations and lack of transport.

The larger inhabited islands in the area are Rumberpon, Mioswar, Roon and Anggrameous. You can explore the coastline or islands by speedboat from either Nabire or Ransiki or base your self on Rumberpon Island or Wasior, thoughneither is strictly within the park. Otherwise, organize a tour with Arfak Paradigalla Tours and Travel in Manaokwari.

Before venturing into the reserve independently, permission and advise should be obtained from the Cendrawasih Marine National Park Office in Jl Rendani Manokwari, Papua.

To get to Merauke, Merpati Airline flies daily from Jayapura. Every four weeks PT Pelniliner Kelimutu Boat links Merauke with Timika, while the Tatamailau sails from Merauke to Timika. Perintis Boat are the best next option. Other uncomfortable wooden boats also make fortnightly runs up anf down the coast to Kiman, Bade, Agats and as far inland as Tanahmerah.

Alas Purwo National Park has 434.2 sq km and occupies the whole of the remote Blambangan Peninsula on the southeastern tip of Java. Facilities are limited and its not easy to reach, but Alas Purwo has fine beaches, good opportunities for wildlife spotting, and savannah, mangrove and lowland monsoon forest. Apart from day-trippers and local beach parties on weekends, the park get few visitors. Alas Purwo means First Forest in Javanese - according to legend this is where the earth first emerged from ocean. Its important Hindu spiritual centre and Pura Giri Selokah, a temple in the park, attracts many pilgrims, especially during Pagerwesi the Hindu new year. More recently the huge breaks - which stretch for 2 km - at Plengkung, on the isolated southeastern tip of peninsula. have made it famous among surfers who have dubbed it G-land (for Grajagan, another name of the area)

Wakatobi Marine National Park located remotely off the southeast of Sulawesi. Most of the Park consist the Tukang Besi islands (Kaledupa, Togea and Binongko Island. The island are difficult to reach, but they offered superb snorkeling and diving, a blaze corals and marine life, isolated beaches and stunning landscapes.

The only place with tourist facilities is Hoga Islands. Island Garden Resort has four bungalow in Hoga. Is is also possible to arrange informal homestay in the island. Spme basic snorkeling equipment is available, you recommended to bring your own gear.

Operation Wallacea, organizes volunteer programs for marine conservation. The public are welcome, but trips must be prebooked and are expensive. The organization has a study centre in Hoga Island and may be able to hook people up with a homestay during busy periods. Be aware that prices for charter boats and the like are higher on Hoga, as the locals have got used to working with Operation Wallacea.

Other tourism option in Wakatobi is Wakatobi Dive Resort on Onemobaa Island. This ultra expensive hideaway offers beautiful bungalow accommodation and one of the most celebrated house reefs in Indonesia.

Update : Wakatobi Island now can be reach from Kendari with Susi Air regular flight.

Source :

• Lonely Planet Book
• www.wakatobi.com

West Kalimantan Province lying directly on the equator with many canals criss­cross the city and one of Indonesia’s longest rivers, the Kapuas (1,143 km long) divides the town in two, providing an essential and historical communications link. Stone carvings and ceramics can be traced as far back as the 5th century, but it is the influence of Islam that has had the most impact on this region. West Kalimantan covers an area of over 146,607 sq km, rich in a variety of minerals and precious stones, and remains largely unexplored. Coastal areas are mainly swamp lands with more than 100 rivers sculpt­ing the flat plains. In the mountainous eastern parts of the province, away from the city and plains, there are many Dayak villages. A large Chinese population, Malays and other Indonesian ethnic groups account for the rest of the inhabitants of the province. West Kalimantan has a tropical climate with the average daily minimum temperature of 22⁰,9 C and maximum 31⁰,05 C. A light rainy season from March - May and the heavy rain from November - January.