National Parks in Indonesia: Nature Reserves and Protected Areas

Indonesia, a vast archipelago along the equator, is home to a network of 55 national parks encompassing diverse natural landscapes. From the tropical jungles of Sumatra and the active volcanoes of Java to the vibrant coral reefs and unexplored beaches of the Lesser Sunda Islands, the national parks of Indonesia invite you to discover a rich variety of ecosystems and unique species. Exploring from the towering peaks of Papua to the crystal-clear seas of Sulawesi, you will immerse yourself in a world filled with wild nature, protected areas, and reserves known for their beauty and biodiversity, creating an unforgettable experience for ecotourism and adventure enthusiasts.

Content

1 Information about Indonesia’s National Parks
2 List of Indonesia’s National Parks Grouped by Region
3 Nature Reserves and Protected Areas of Indonesia
4 Other Places of Interest in Indonesia

Information about Indonesia’s National Parks

History of the national parks network

The establishment of national parks in Indonesia began in the late 20th century, aiming to protect the country’s vast natural resources and biodiversity. Initially, many parks were created to conserve emblematic species such as the Sumatran tiger, Javan rhinoceros, and Komodo dragon. Today, Indonesia has more than 50 national parks, covering various regions and ecosystems, from volcanic mountains to marine reefs.

Location and geographical features

Indonesia stretches across more than 17,000 islands, giving it an extraordinary geographical diversity. National parks are located in nearly all major regions of the country, from larger islands like Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, and Papua to smaller archipelagos like the Sunda and Maluku Islands. This vast geography allows each national park to offer different experiences, both in landscape and in the wildlife it harbors.

Best time to visit the national parks

Most of Indonesia’s national parks can be visited year-round, but the best time to explore most parks is during the dry season, typically from May to September. During these months, the weather is more favorable for outdoor activities like hiking, diving, and wildlife observation. However, some parks can be equally impressive during the rainy season when the landscapes turn greener and rivers come to life.

List of Indonesia’s National Parks Grouped by Region

Java

Java, one of Indonesia’s most populated islands, hosts several national parks of significant ecological importance. From active volcanoes to dense forests, these parks offer a glimpse into the island’s rich biodiversity.

Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (East Java) – This park is famous for the iconic Mount Bromo and Mount Semeru, two of Indonesia’s most visited volcanoes.
Mount Merbabu National Park (Central Java) – This park offers high mountain trails leading to the summit of Mount Merbabu, a popular hiking destination.
Karimunjawa National Park (Central Java, Karimunjawa Archipelago) – A marine paradise with vibrant coral reefs and crystal-clear waters, perfect for diving and snorkeling.
Alas Purwo National Park (East Java) – This park protects one of Java’s last dry tropical forests, home to diverse flora and fauna.
Baluran National Park (East Java) – Nicknamed the "Africa of Java," Baluran is known for its savannah landscape and wildlife, including buffalo and deer.
Gunung Ciremai National Park (West Java) – Featuring the highest volcano in West Java, this park is ideal for hiking enthusiasts and those seeking panoramic views.
Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park (West Java) – Part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, this park is known for its dense vegetation, waterfalls, and biodiversity.
Gunung Halimun Salak National Park (West Java) – This park hosts primary and secondary forests and is home to endangered species, including the Javan leopard.
Gunung Merapi National Park (Central Java) – Famous for Indonesia’s most active volcano, this park offers dramatic views and is a popular mountaineering destination.
Kepulauan Seribu National Park (Jakarta Bay Islands) – An archipelago of coral islands, perfect for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts seeking colorful reefs.
Meru Betiri National Park (East Java) – This park includes lowland forests and beaches where marine turtles nest, and it is also home to the Javan tiger.
Ujung Kulon National Park (West Java) – Home to the Javan rhinoceros, this protected park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Java’s best-preserved ecosystems.

Kalimantan (Borneo Island)

Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of Borneo, is home to vast tropical rainforests containing some of the oldest ecosystems on the planet. Here, national parks protect both the island’s wildlife and indigenous cultures.

- Kayan Mentarang National Park (North Kalimantan) – One of Indonesia’s largest parks, covering extensive areas of primary tropical forest, making it a key refuge for biodiversity.
- Tanjung Puting National Park (Central Kalimantan) – Famous for being home to orangutans, this park offers river cruises to observe wildlife up close, including gibbons, crocodiles, and exotic birds.
- Betung Kerihun National Park (West Kalimantan) – Known for its mountainous landscapes and rich biodiversity, ideal for adventurers seeking to explore remote trails and immerse in pristine nature.
- Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park (Central and West Kalimantan) – This park covers a vast area of mountainous forests, home to endangered species like the Bornean orangutan.
- Danau Sentarum National Park (West Kalimantan) – An internationally significant wetland under the Ramsar Convention, famous for its seasonal lakes that support a wide variety of aquatic wildlife.
- Gunung Palung National Park (West Kalimantan) – With one of the highest concentrations of orangutans, this park is ideal for wildlife observation in its natural habitat.
- Kutai National Park (East Kalimantan) – A refuge for Bornean orangutans and other tropical forest species, with landscapes that include mangroves and rainforests.
- Sabangau National Park (Central Kalimantan) – Home to one of the largest populations of orangutans, the park protects extensive peat swamps, crucial for carbon storage.

Lesser Sunda Islands

The Lesser Sunda Islands, located east of Bali, offer some of Indonesia’s most impressive volcanic landscapes. These national parks protect sacred mountains and islands inhabited by exotic wildlife.

Gunung Rinjani National Park (Lombok) – Mount Rinjani is an active volcano and Indonesia’s second-highest mountain, offering spectacular views of its crater lake. In addition to its popularity among hikers, the park holds cultural and spiritual significance for locals.
Kelimutu National Park (Flores) – Known for its three color-changing crater lakes, this park is a unique destination attracting photographers, adventurers, and scientists intrigued by the mysterious transformations of its waters.
Komodo National Park (Komodo Archipelago) – Famous for Komodo dragons, the park is also a world-class diving site, offering the chance to explore coral reefs and rich marine life.
Laiwangi Wanggameti National Park (Sumba) – This park covers the highest mountainous region of Sumba, protecting rare plant species and a variety of endemic wildlife.
Manupeu Tanah Daru National Park (Sumba) – A park dominated by rugged mountains and deep valleys, home to endemic birds and a rich biodiversity that includes several critical ecosystems.
Mount Tambora National Park (Sumbawa) – This park surrounds the mighty Mount Tambora, known for its catastrophic 1815 eruption, and offers a mix of volcanic landscapes and biological diversity.
Moyo Satonda National Park (Moyo and Satonda) – A recently established park including the islands of Moyo and Satonda, famous for their coral reefs and volcanic lakes.

Maluku and Papua

The Maluku islands and the vast region of Papua offer some of Indonesia’s most remote and least explored national parks. These parks serve as refuges for both marine and terrestrial biodiversity as well as indigenous cultures.

Wasur National Park (Papua) – A wetland park home to a wide variety of water birds, mammals, and reptiles. Known as the "Serengeti of Papua" due to its rich wildlife and vast wetland ecosystem.
Lorentz National Park (Papua) – The largest national park in Southeast Asia, stretching from glaciers in the Jayawijaya Mountains to dense tropical jungles. Lorentz is an exceptional biodiversity hotspot and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Aketajawe-Lolobata National Park (Halmahera, Maluku) – A park that protects significant areas of tropical forest on Halmahera Island, home to endemic birds and other rare species.
Manusela National Park (Seram, Maluku) – With mountains and jungles, Manusela is crucial for the conservation of birds and endemic plant species in the Maluku islands.
Teluk Cenderawasih National Park (West Papua) – A primarily marine park known for its biodiversity-rich waters, where you can swim with whale sharks and explore stunning coral reefs.

Sulawesi

Sulawesi, a uniquely shaped island, is home to a mix of national parks protecting both mountainous and marine ecosystems. This region is known for its endemic wildlife and dramatic landscapes.

Bunaken National Park (North Sulawesi) – An internationally recognized marine park known for its biodiversity and spectacular diving sites. It’s one of the best destinations for observing coral reefs and diverse marine life.
Wakatobi National Park (Wakatobi Archipelago) – Famous for its coral reefs, this marine park is a world-class diving destination, offering over 750 coral species and abundant marine life.
Bantimurung-Bulusaraung National Park (South Sulawesi) – Known for its limestone caves, stunning waterfalls, and the wide variety of butterflies that inhabit it, giving it the nickname "Kingdom of Butterflies."
Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park (North Sulawesi) – A haven for several endemic species, this park offers tropical rainforest and mountain landscapes, ideal for bird-watching and observing Sulawesi’s unique wildlife.
Lore Lindu National Park (Central Sulawesi) – Known for its ancient megaliths and biodiversity, this park is part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves and protects mountainous forests and threatened species.
Rawa Aopa Watumohai National Park (Southeast Sulawesi) – This park includes an extensive wetland and is an important wildlife reserve with mangroves, savannas, and crucial habitats for many species.
Taka Bone Rate National Park (Selayar Archipelago, South Sulawesi) – The largest coral atoll in Southeast Asia and part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, this park is a marine paradise with diverse marine life and coral reefs.
Kepulauan Togean National Park (Togean Archipelago, Central Sulawesi) – A park of islands offering crystal-clear waters, unique marine ecosystems, and pristine coral reefs, perfect for diving and snorkeling.

Sumatra

The island of Sumatra is known for its tropical jungles and volcanic mountains. Its national parks protect some of the world’s most endangered species, such as the Sumatran tiger and the Sumatran rhinoceros.

Gunung Leuser National Park (North Sumatra and Aceh) – Part of the UNESCO World Heritage, this park is a crucial refuge for endangered species such as orangutans, Sumatran tigers, and Asian elephants.
Kerinci Seblat National Park (West Sumatra) – The largest park in Sumatra, it includes Mount Kerinci, the highest mountain on the island, and is known for its diverse flora and fauna, serving as an important habitat for the Sumatran tiger.
Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (West Sumatra) – Another UNESCO World Heritage site, it protects the habitat of Sumatran elephants, rhinoceroses, and tigers in the island’s western ranges.
Batang Gadis National Park (North Sumatra) – This park spans mountains and jungles, playing a crucial role in biodiversity conservation with a wide variety of rare plants and animals.
Bukit Duabelas National Park (Jambi, Sumatra) – A park that conserves lowland tropical jungles, home to indigenous communities and rich biological diversity.
Bukit Tigapuluh National Park (Central Sumatra) – This park protects large areas of tropical rainforest and is home to many endangered species, including the Sumatran rhinoceros and tiger.
Sembilang National Park (South Sumatra) – An internationally significant wetland under the Ramsar Convention, featuring mangroves and swamps that support rich aquatic wildlife.
Siberut National Park (Siberut Island, West Sumatra) – Part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, this park is known for its endemic wildlife and the protection of indigenous cultures on Siberut Island.
Way Kambas National Park (South Sumatra) – Known for its work in Sumatran elephant and rhinoceros conservation, this park also offers elephant safaris and bird-watching opportunities.
Tesso Nilo National Park (Riau, Sumatra) – This park protects one of Sumatra’s last lowland rainforests and is home to Sumatran elephants and rich biodiversity.
Zamrud National Park (Riau, Sumatra) – A recent park featuring freshwater lakes and wetlands, important for aquatic biodiversity and migratory bird conservation.

Nature Reserves and Protected Areas of Indonesia

Indonesia also features a range of natural reserves and protected areas that complement its network of national parks. These areas often protect fragile ecosystems and endangered species.

Pulau Rambut Nature Reserve (Java) – A refuge for migratory and nesting water birds on this small island, vital for the conservation of species like the Oriental stork and Java cormorant.
Raja Ampat Marine Protected Area (West Papua) – Considered one of the epicenters of marine biodiversity worldwide, with an impressive variety of marine and coral life. Its waters host over 1,500 fish species and 600 coral species, making it an unparalleled diving destination.
Cibodas Nature Reserve (West Java) – Located on the slopes of Mount Gede, this reserve protects a rich biodiversity of tropical jungles and endemic flora, being a popular site for botanical studies.
Gunung Gede Pangrango Protected Area (West Java) – Part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, this area includes high-mountain ecosystems and dense tropical forests, home to threatened species such as the Javan leopard.
Pulau Moyo Nature Reserve (Moyo Island, Nusa Tenggara) – A remote destination to observe wildlife, including deer, boars, and various birds, as well as coral reefs in surrounding waters.
Nantu Nature Reserve (Sulawesi) – Known for its natural salt licks that attract large mammals like the babirusa and anoa. The reserve is crucial for the conservation of these endemic Sulawesi species.
Ulu Masen Nature Reserve (Sumatra) – One of Sumatra’s largest reserves, protecting elephants, tigers, and orangutans in one of the most biodiverse rainforest ecosystems in the world.
Siberut Biosphere Reserve (Siberut Island, West Sumatra) – Part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, this reserve protects the island’s endemic monkeys, like the endearing Siberut gibbon, and is a sanctuary for the cultural conservation of local tribes.

Other Places of Interest in Indonesia

In addition to its national parks and natural reserves, Indonesia is home to other natural landmarks that are equally fascinating for nature lovers and ecotourists.

Lake Toba and Surroundings (Sumatra) – The world’s largest volcanic lake, formed by a catastrophic eruption thousands of years ago, surrounded by mountains and forested hills. Samosir Island, located in the lake’s center, is a popular cultural and tourist destination.
Puncak Jaya Nature Park (Papua) – Indonesia’s highest peak, Puncak Jaya, is known for its glaciers, a rarity in an equatorial region. This park offers spectacular views and a unique opportunity for experienced climbers.
Sumba Island Protected Area (Nusa Tenggara) – Known for its savannas, waterfalls, and pristine beaches, this region is a beautiful destination for nature enthusiasts and photographers. The island’s cultural traditions also add a unique component to the experience.
Karimunjawa Nature Park (Java) – An archipelago in the Java Sea, perfect for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts, with crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral reefs.
Mount Batur (Bali) – An active volcano in Bali popular among hikers who wish to watch the sunrise from its peak, offering spectacular views over Lake Batur and the caldera.
Mount Ijen (East Java) – Famous for its sulfurous crater and blue flames, Mount Ijen offers a unique hiking experience and the chance to meet local workers extracting sulfur from the crater.
Lake Sentani (Papua) – A large lake surrounded by rolling hills, known for its picturesque views and numerous islands. The lake is also an important cultural site, with villages practicing traditional fishing and celebrating annual festivals.