Indonesia Ecotourism 4# : Ujung Kulon

Indonesia's paramount national parks, Ujung Kulon, were located on the south western of the island of Java, where the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean and equatorial waters of the Sunda Straits merges. It is the home of the highly endangered Java Rhinoceros and has got the status of World Heritagesite.

Ujung Kulon which means West Point possesses an exceptional profile of Indonesia’s wilderness from forested mountain ranges to coral seas. The park is one of the last remaining natural forests. A pristine haven of nature that you should found in Java Island, one of the most densely populated island on earth. The park holds well over 700 species of plant life of which at 57 are classified as rare in Java and perhaps the world. The most exotic animal in the world, the unicorn Java Rhinoceros and some wildlife’s of which are endangered or rare are lived in 120.551 hectares of the nature parks.

The areas are divided into 78,214 ha of land and 44,337 ha of surrounding reefs and sea. It can roughly be separated into three areas, the triangular shaped Ujung Kulon Peninsula, the Gunung Honje Range to the east of the Peninsula’s Isthmus and the Island of Panaitan to the North West. The park has a wide variety of marine habitats. The rocky shores, mangrove swamps, mud flats, sea grass beds, coral reefs and sea trenches, providing diverse and fascinating insights into the underwater world.

Ujung Kulon’s tropical maritime climate, somewhat cooler than inland areas of Java, produces an annual rainfall of approximately 3250 mm. Temperature range between 25° and 30° C with a humidity level generically between 80% and 90%. April to October is the drier months, particularly between July to October. During these months there are long periods of fine, calm weather with occasional spells of overcast skies, rain and rougher seas.

To anyone interested in natural prosess, Krakatau (Krakatoa) is one of the most fascinating areas in the world. The Krakatau Island is part of the Ujung Kulon National Park. The cataclysmic eruption of 1883 captures the imagination, and spectacular volcanic activity continuous to the present.


The eruption of Krakatau on august 1883, was recorded as the world’s biggest explosion. The force of 100.000 hydrogen bombs, tossed 18 cubic kilometer material of the earth, 30 km high in to atmosphere and covered 827 square km black volcanic dust. The explosion were hear 350 miles away from Ceylon, to Perth Australia and to Philippines. Giant wave or tsunami 30-40 meter high crashed ashore and devastated hundred of town and villages, reaching almost 100 kills island, over 36.000 people perished. In 1927 amid submarine explosion, a new volcanic island is begun from the sea where the old island had existed, in 1952 it reached 200 feet above the sea. it is named Anak Krakatau (child of krakatoa) it is a new above 35 meters tall and spurting fire and cinder, it is lovely volcano in the middle of the sea.

To anyone interested in biology and the way island are colonized by plants and animals – not only the island from which life was eradicated by the 1883 eruption, but also the new island of Anak Krakatau – the area holds a unique attraction.

Visiting Ujung Kulon, first, you could depart by car to a small-town, Sumur port, pass through forest, hills, rice fields and some village surrounding. Then, boarding by the boats (wooden boat) take 1 hour to Handeleum island in situated among a group of small island just off the north eastern coast of the Ujung Kulon peninsula, on the way, you should stop over at small island Badul island for snorkeling or swimming, lunch will be served on the boat. Finally, you should arrive in the afternoon and it is the time for looking around the island. Overnight at lodge is a choice you should take.

There are some trips of the adventure in the national park:

1. Canoes trip up the Cigenter river meander through dense overcharging rain forest for 2 hours. The habitat of Python, horn bill, type of adventure with canoe to observe Java Rhino habitat monkey where crocodile and rhino are occasionally sight in this area, back to the boat than continue to Peucang Island.

The unique and delightful Peucang Island in Clearblue water off the north western coastline of the national park. It is white sand and coral reef shore hold a fascinating world marine life while Peucang is impressive forest shelter and abundance of wild life, arrived in the afternoon than continue to Cidaon situed on the peninsula opposite island, this large grassland for wild bulls, wild pig, peafowl, leopard, overnight at lodge.

2. Jungle Trekking to the north of Peucang island passes through towering forest to a rock archway beyond which are the reef pools of Karang Copong, back to lodge than return trip back to Sumur-Carita in the afternoon, you should stop over at Citerjun for snorkeling to see variety of fish at coral reef.

To stay safe, make sure that you are accompanied by the guide before exploring deep into the jungle.


Sources & Images Source: Balai Taman Nasional Ujung Kulon (www.ujung-kulon.net)

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