UJUNG KULON
The park's 120.551 hectares are divided into 76.214 ha of land and 44.337 ha of surrounding reef and sea. It can roughly be separated into three areas: the triangular shapedUjung kulon Peninsula, the Gunung Honje Range to the east of the peninsula's isthmus and the island of Panaitan to the northwest. The highest points in the park are the 620 meters Gunung Honje, the Gunung Payung Range peaks of up to 500 meters and Panaitan Island 's Gunung Raksa at 320 meters. In the central section of the Peninsula is a large region of wilderness known as the Talanca Plateau which reaches 140 meters above sea level, however most consist of low rolling terrain seldom more than 50 meters above sea level.
The park surrounded by unusually warm water, seldom varying from between 29C to 30C. ujung kulon mapThe coastlines of the park are molded by the sea around them, battered by Indian Ocean; the long sandy beaches of the south coast are backed by dunes, lagoons and forest broken by rocky outcrops a wild and wind swept shore line.The west coast's reef-lined shore has cliffs, promontories and towering sea-stacks along sand and boulder beaches overhung by forest, creating the most spectacular coastline in the park.On the north coast, the sheltered tropical straits lap upon beaches of white sands and coral banks with islands, estuaries, swamps and forest lined shores.Along each coastline is variety of seascape which in all their diversity, offer a wide range of absorbing shoreline experiences.
GEOLOGY
The even that led to formation of the land we as Ujung kulon began about 200 years ago when what is now the Indian Continent broke away from the super-continent Gondwanaland. It collided with the Asian continent creating huge ripples across the earth's crust forming the snow-clad Himalaya along with Sumatra's mountain range, Bukit Barisan. It believed that the Ujung kulon Peninsula and the Gunung Honje Range were at that time the southern end of Bukit Barisan Range as Java and Sumatra were connected by a land-bridge. Then 20.000 to 15.000 years ago, the bridge collapsed to eventually form the Sunda Strait about 9.500 years ago.
How ever, the period when the strait was formed is somewhat contradicted by an intriguing account in an early Javanese chronicle The Book of Kings. It states that in the year 416 AD the mountain Kapi (Krakatau) burst into peaces and sunk into deepest of the earth and the sea flooded the land from Gunung Gede near Bogor to mountain Raja Basa in Southern Sumatra. The chronicle concludes: After the waters subsided the mountain Kapi and surrounding land became sea and the island of Java was divided into two parts.
It is a curious fact that no sea straits between Sumatra and Java was known before 1.100's by the far ranging Chinese and Arabian traders and later European explores.Beneath the mountains and forest of Ujung kulon, carved by the thousands of centuries of rain, wind and sea, are foundation of the land - a young mountain system formed over the older strata of the Sunda Shelf. Geologically, the Ujung kulon Peninsula, Gunung Honje Range and Panaitan Island are part of this young tertiary mountain system while the central part of Ujungkulon is of older limestone formations which have been covered by alluvial deposits in the north and sandstone in the south. Much of underlying rocks and early soils of the park are covered by volcanic ash, in places up to 1 meter deep, a legacy from the Krakatau eruptions.
The mountain ranges were all formed by the same folding event in the Miocene period creating beneath the forest of the Gunung Honje Range an eastward tilting mountain block. A reminder of this activity is a geological fault line situated off the Tamanjaya coastline. It bisects the park beneath the isthmus as it passes through the Sunda straits connecting the volcanic islands of Krakatau to the major tectonic fault line to the south of Indonesia
CLIMATE
Ujung kulon's tropical maritime climate, somewhat cooler than inland areas of Java, produces an annual rainfall of approximately 3.250 mm. Temperatures range between 25º and 30ºC, with a humidity level generally between 80% and 90%. April to October are the drier months, particularly between July to October. During these months there are long period of fine, calm weather with occasional spells of overcast skies, rain and rougher seas. The wetter season usually begins in November and finishes in March bringing an average of 400 mm of rain per month. The heaviest rains of December and January are often accompanied by squalls and strong winds, clearing the atmosphere and producing brilliant sunsets and spectacular panoramas (Margareth Clarbrough/Ujungkulon National Park Handbook)
PLANT LIFE
Ujung Kulon National Parks is one of the lastremaining natural forest on Java and one very few areas offering a profile of sea shore to mountain top tropical vegetation. The Park holds well over 700 species of plant life of which at least 57 are classified as rare in Java and perhaps the world.
LOWLAND RAIN FOREST
Amongst the most fascinating of the Park's plant life are the many species of figs. These can take the form of trees, climbers or epiphytes and are the larders of the forest that provide abundant fruit for the wildlife. The strangling fig begins from seed deposited in cavities in the trunks or branches of large trees by birds, bats and other small animals. Once germinated, the fig sends veils of tendrils down into the soil witch then form a lattice work of roots around the trunk of the host tree. Eventually, over-whelmed by the vigorous fig, the host tree dies and rots away, leaving within the roots of the fig the hollow shape of the original tree, its strangled victim. A number of trees such as the kigentel, the tokbrai and the kondang produce flowers and fruit on their lower trunks or larger branches rather than at the usual twig ends. Why this interesting characteristic, called cruciform, has evolved is puzzling. One theory is that the fruit of these plants, being more accessible to larger animals, allows the seed to be scattered over a wide area. However other animal such as monkeys and birds become more vulnerable because they must leave the safety of the forest canopy to feed upon the cauliflorous fruit.
The climbing lianas are a feature of rain forest and grow towards the light without damaging the host tree. These vines only fruit and flower in the forest's canopy and to regenerate must reach the sunlight. They create aerial pathways for wildlife, assisting in their search for food and in seed dispersal. Several species which include kowao, leksa and asahan are water-logged with sap.
Not only animals benefit from climbing plants. Certain climbers are of high medicinal value and are used in the treatment of cancer and in Indonesian traditional tonics jamu. Others provide the Derris root powder used in insecticides or the latex in chewing gum while yet another produces a substance that is 1,500 times sweeter than sugar. Another climber is the aggressive rattan, valued in furniture making, which use the thorns on its whip-like tendrils to attach itself to vegetation and passer-by. The angle of the thorns enable the rattan to anchor deeper with any attempt to pull away from it. As with other palms, its tightly folded immature leaves are very palatable to wildlife
One of the characteristics of Ujung Kulon's forest is the wide variety of palms of which the most common is the langkap. Although these forests are found in very few others locations in the whole of the Malayan region, its rapid regeneration and ability to spread into undisturbed forest has made this a dominant species in Ujung Kulon. Rain forests also hold a wide variety of epiphytes and although they also grown on trees, inflict no harm. They include the splendid bird's-nest. ferns and an abundance of orchids. The brilliant white with a yellow centre Moon orchid, the deep red Pipit orchid, the white to purple-pink Dove orchid, and the tiny white Squirrel tail which only opens for one day, are just a few of the varieties.
RIMARY FOREST
The most obvious characteristic of these areas are large trees with high canopies and ore open undergrowth which usually makes walking in this type of forest not difficult. The argent area of primary forest in the park stretches from the highest point of the Gunung Honje Range to the south coast. On the Ujung Kulon Peninsula, roughly a third is primary forest. It covers most of the Gunung Payung Range with a narrow band crossing eastward to a large oval-shaped tract in the central Telanca Plateau. Peucang island also has a fine, although unusually spacious example while on Panaitan island it is isolated to the slopes of Gunung Raksa. The tallest of the trees in Ujung Kulon's forest include the fan palm gebang, the bengang and the salam which can grow beyond the high canopy species to heights of 40 meters. Just beneath them are the large trees such as bayur, gadog and in the Gunung Honje region the putat, all of which may grow to 35 meters with under-stories at 20 to 30 meters beneath the closed canopy. Of these trees, the salam, bayur and putat are the ones which have the largest plank buttresses flowing from their trunks to the soil.
SECONDARY FOREST
The young secondary forest lies between the primary forest and the coast, occupying most of the Ujung Kulon Penninsula, Panaitan Island and the lower slopes of the Gunung Honje Range. The density of the vegetation can make this type of forest impenetrable and jungle-like in places. A common tree of the secondary forest is the bungur. This tree produces a spectacular purple display and its prolific flowering around October to November is believed by local people to indicate the beginning of the rainy season. Most of the bamboo species found in Indonesia are not truly native but this does not apply to the two predominant species in Ujung Kulon. The bambu cangketeuk favours steep slopes and river banks while the bambu haur like the wet soil of the uplands. the impressive giant bamboo, used in furniture making, is not common in the park and tends to be associated with former cultivation sites.
COASTAL FOREST
The most outstanding trees of the coast include the pagoda-shaped ketapang and the bust nyamplung which has bunches of bright green fruit resembling large marbles.The sands are often scattered with the magnificent white-petered flower of the broad, low-branched butun tree. These flowers are as large as an opened hand and hold numerous pink tipped stamens which exude a strong, rich perfume. They drop to the ground in the early mornings where they are raided by pollen collecting wasps before rapidly wilting. The hibiscus-like flower of the waru laut change in color from bright lemon to a deep brownish pink and are also widely found on the sea shores. Of the coastal vegetation the most distinctive is the giant pandanus. Its notable features are large reddish pineapple-shaped fruit and a network of tripod-like supporting roots emerging from the trunk some metres above the ground. Large stands of pandanus arre found along the south coast of Ujung Kulon. The coconut palms, although not numerous, are believed to have been mostly planted by people rather than washed up by the sea and often indicated the sites of earlier cultivation in the park.
Beneath the canopy species of the shores are stretch of tarum, a shrubby lupin-like tree with yellow flowers and long thin pods behind which shelters the white spidery-flowered bakung lily, used by local people as fishing lures. While twining across the sands from the verges of the forest are the bright pink flowering convolvulus. The mangroves forest of Ujung Kulon are mainly situated along the shores of Welcome Bay and their root systems can vary in appearance. Some are stilt-like, as found in the surprisingly attractive mangrove lined rivers of the Cihandeuleum and Cikabeumbeum. Another species has roots poking above the mud allowing them to breathe at low tide and these can be seen south of Tamanjaya. Yet another has tendril-like roots hanging from lower branches.
The mangroves' fruit and seed systems also have special adaptations such as seedlings that germinate while still attached to the parent tree allowing them to quickly take root once they drop. Their seeds come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and being buoyant can drift in water for weeks. Mangrove forest support a wide range of other life forms including marine life and are one of the most productive of all the natural environments that the bounteous rain forests contribute to our planet..
WILDLIFE
Ujung Kulon has a vast array of wild life, quite a number Ujung Kulon has a vast array of wildlife, quite a number of which are endangered or rare. Some of the animals are so unafraid that they freely wonder in and around the tourist lodges, others are sighted almost every day, many are heard rather than seen, and some are rarely seen.
ANIMALS
Rhinoceros
The most precious of all the animalism the parks is the Java one-horned rhinoceros, the rarest large animal on earth. Once found across much of south east Asia, the first accounts of the Java rhino date back to China 's Tang dynasty (A.D. 618-906) when Java was noted as a source for rhino horns. In Java during the 1700?s rhinos were so numerous and damaging to the agricultural plantations that the government paid a bounty for every rhino killed, bagging five hundred within two years. Ujung Kulon's rhino population is now estimated at around fifty individuals and they were believed to be the last remaining Javan rhino in the world until a small population was recently discovered in Vietnam . However, these are so few in numbers that their viability is unlikely and so Ujung Kulon remains the last home of this magnificent pachyderm. In appearance the Javan rhino is closest to the Indian rhino, both having a single-horn and skin folds or plates but there are distinct differences between their neck plates and skin textures.
The Javan rhino also has a long prehensile upper lip which extends below the lower allowing it to grasp foliage. The body shape of the Javan rhino is designed to push aside the undergrowth and only the male Javan rhino has a prominent horn while the female has a lump similar to a halved coconut. Earlier this century Javan rhinos were measures as being over 170 cm. At the shoulders, more than 3 meters in length and 2,200 kg. In body weight but a recent photographic survey indicates that the largest rhino in Ujung Kulon may be around 150 cm. in height. Rhino's range over a maximum distance of 15 to 20 kilometers a day in the densely forested lowlands of the Ujung Kulon Peninsula and to the east of its isthmus. They are most mobile at nights, like wallowing in mud pools and sometimes venture onto beaches and grazing grounds. Although actual sightings of rhinos are rare, their prints and droppings are often found on the trails, sometimes unnervingly fresh. Javan rhinos are believed to be capable of running as fast as a person and so advice to visitors, should they happen to come across one, is to climb the nearest tree and take a photo - in that order.
Deer
Far more obvious animals in the park are the Javan rusaa deer that freely graze around the tourist lodges. These are the largest of the three deer species in Ujung Kulon. The rusa ags are at their most magnificent in the mating season around August to September when the antlers have shed their velvet and territorial battles between the stags begin.
The smaller Barking deer has a long sleek head and measures around 60-70 cm. at the shoulders. The stags have short, two-pointed antlers and tusk-like canine teeth. Their favorite habitat is low to the ground and when fleeing their white under-tail catches the eye. The smallest is the Mouse deer which measures only 20-25 cm. in height and has a
reddish-brown coat with white underpants. The stag does not have antlers but instead has long curving canine teeth that extend outside the mouth. In the early years visitors to Ujung Kulon witnessed a Mouse deer ripping open the stomach of a rival during a mating fight. Their habitat is within the forest and they rarely venture onto beaches and clearings.
Banteng
Since pre-historic times these wild cattle have lived throughout Java and in the 17th century were used to carry loads but now the herds roam wild and are found in just a few locations throughout the island. The males have black coats while the females are usually a golden brown and both have white buttocks and stockings. A mature bull can measure over 170 cm. at the shoulders and although both sexes have horns, only the males are large and curved. Banteng favor open grassy clearings for grazing particularly early and late in the day but also feed on the forest’s young secondary growth and are found throughout the Peninsula and southern Gunung Honje regions.
Primates
Ujung Kulon has five species of primates with the brown, long-tailed, Crab-eating, macaques being the most commonly seen especially on beaches and reefs at low tide. Peucang Islands supports four separate groups numbering over two hundred individuals.
The macaques? strongly hierarchical society is based on a matrilineal system - daughters stay with the mother as long as they live while juvenile males usually leave the group to join another group or become solitary. Within the group structure there can be several adult males with one being the dominant but tolerant leader.
Female macaques usually rank just below their mothers and, interestingly, above older sisters so that even babies from highly ranked mothers can control adult males and females. Primarily fruit eaters, the macaques? diet includes a wide variety of food and their cheek pouches can hold the equivalent of a stomach load of food which allows for hasty food gathering to be eaten later. Each group has its own territory and although they sleep in trees they do not build nests and unlike the park’s other primates they are equally at home on the ground or in trees.
Another primate, only found in Java, is the glossy blackish-brown Javan silvered leaf monkey which has long, slender limbs and tail. They frequent most regions of the park particularly the Gunung Honje Range but unlike the macaques their groups are small and usually contain one adult male, several females and their young. The rarely seen Grizzled
leaf monkey in slightly heavier than the Javan silvered leaf monkey and has a grey coat, long tail and head crest. Very small populations of this extremely rare and endangered monkey live in the Gunung Payung and Honje Ranges.
Also endangered is the Javan or Moloch gibbon which is unique to West Java and its habitat in Ujung Kulon is the primary forests of the Gunung Honje Range. These tail-less primates have grey fluffy coats and black faces and make a distinctive hooting call resembling their Indonesian name Owa. Gibbons are monogamous, mate for life and live in small family groups consisting of a male, female and one or more young. The young adults leave the group to roam the forest searching for a mate and new territory. The parks? fifth primate is the Slow Loris and being nocturnal, sightings are uncommon. Around 25 to 30 cm. in size, it has an ash-grey coat and large round eyes for night vision. The notable characteristic is its slow, smooth, perfectly co-ordinate movements’ which allow it to freeze in mid-movement for self protection if disturbed.
Wild Pigs
Ujung Kulon has two types of wild pig, the Eurasian wild pig and the Javan warty pig. Similar in size and weight, the Eurasian wild pig sometimes has a light grayish-white stripe from the head to the chest while the male Javan warty pig has three pairs of lumps or warts on the face which can give an old male a monstrous appearance. The coat of the young Eurasian piglet has long yellowish-brown stripes and when disturbed they often make short loud grunts while warty pigs have a high pitched cry. Wild pigs are pressingly good swimmers and have been known to cross the 700 meters channel between the Peninsula and Peucang Island.
Cats
The cat family was represented by five species although the last positive sighting of a Javan tiger in Ujung Kulon was in the 1950?s and it is believed that they are now part of the long list of the world’s extinct animals. However, leopards measuring over half a meter at the shoulder and over 1.5 meters in length, number as many as sixty in Ujung Kulon and their tracks are sometimes seen on beaches and stream beds. The black rosette on their coat have background colors that can vary from a light straw yellow to orange-yellow and it is not uncommon for the leopards to have completely black coats. Fishing cats, named for their ability to scoop fish out of water, are considerably smaller than leopards but larger than domestic and the jungle or leopards cats, which tend to frequent the boundary regions of the park near settlements.
Civets
Between a fox and ferret in size with short legs, long muzzle and tail the same length as its body, the most often seen of these predators is the Common palm civet which is found throughout the park including Panatian Island.
Wild Dogs
These are quite different from the domesticated village dogs seen throughout Indonesia as they are smaller, squatter, have a red-brown coat and a fox like appearance. They live hunt in packs and in 1846 there was an account of hundreds of large turtles, some of hitch were well over a meter in length, being over-turned and killed by a dog pack on Ujung Kulon’s south coast. Then unaccountably their numbers decreased to the point where they were never seen in Ujung Kulon until earlier this century when they again re-appeared, possibly partly due to the dwindling tiger population.
BIRDS
Although over 250 species have been recorded in Ujung Kulon, the birds are not always easily seen as many live high in the forest canopy or are vigilant inhabitants of the dense undergrowth. However it is the constant bird calls of Ujung Kulon that contribute to the atmosphere of the forest, for seldom is the park silent.
AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILS
# Crocodiles
# Turtles
# Frogs
# Lizards
# Snakes
INSECTS
The world's vast numbers of invertebrate species, which out-number the animals by ten to one, have extremely important roles as pollinators, re-cycles, pest controllers and generally keep the forests alive and healthy
MARINE LIFE
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.
FISHES
The easiest to find particularly on the shores of Peucang islaand are the brilliantly colored reef browsing fish with colors and patterns from nature at its most vivid and creative.
Of these perhaps the most beautiful is the black, white and lemon vertical striped Moorish Idols with long, sweeping dorsal fins emphasizing its gracefulness.
Delicate yet boldly patterned butterfly fishes come in various shades white, yellow and orange with black markings and often have a black vertical stripe through the eye. usually found in pairs, when alarmed they use their fins and spines to firmly wedge themselves in crevices in the reef.
The most common clownfish in Ujung Kulon are golden brown in color white bands across the body. Often found sheltering amongst the tentacles of sea anemones, the mucous of the clownfish contains a substance that makes the stinging anemone believe it is one of its own. Other outstanding fishes include the imaginatively patterned angelfishes of which the Emperor Angelfish with thin blue and yellow horizontal striped and a bright orange tail is a wonderful example
Yet another spectacular species is represented by the Lionfish which motionlessly hovers over the reefs spreading black usually placid, if approached too closely can inflict an extremely painful sting from the row of poisonous spines along its back.
Often the larger fish are just as eye-catching with brilliant red rock cod and snapper, range striped trigger fish, banded and mottled morays eels and exquisitely patterned surgeon fish. The colorful parrotfish has teeth that are fused into a parrot-like beak with which it crushes corrals and mollusk into fine coral sand. They sleep inside lose cocoons constructed of mucous, sand and weeds in crevices in the reef. Marine mammals that visit the coastline include the regularly seen dolphins and the unusual and rarely seen dugong or sea cow
CORALS
The reef builders, the stony or hard corals make up the reefs of shallower waters. During the day many of these area are dull brown color but at nights they are transformed into miniature marine forests of plankton feeding tentacles
Hard corals are built from the skeletons of tiny marine animals called polyps and come in a wide variety of shapes. These can resemble rocks or branching stag horns, be flat-topped or cup shaped, appear like up-turned mushrooms or have fungi-like folding on tours. Their color tend to be more subdued than the soft corals because of the extra sunlight in shallow waters. The soft corals, colonizers of established reefs, do not have the limestone skeleton of the reef builders and instead are numerous polyp gathered around a fleshy centre. Their lovely formations vary from fan-like shapes to branching varieties or have finger-like tendrils and whips in colors that vary from the delicate to the vivid. The more delicate or leafy forms tend to be found in deeper waters as they are too fragile for strong currents
ESTUARIES AND FRESHWATER
The mudflats and stream of Ujung Kulon also hold a fascinating array of life forms. Mangrove swamps, rich in nutrients are home to two unique species of fish, the skipper and the archerfish. The bulging-eyed mudskippers, constantly seen hoping across the water surface, often venture onto land but must return to the water to replenish their gill chamber reserves. Mudskippers also have the most unusual attribute of being able to climbing trees. The clever little archerfish is named for its practice of squirting shafts of water over 2 meters high to knock insects off overhanging leaves.
Yet another fascinating fish, that lives in the fresh waters of the park is a tool using fish. It clings to the underside of floating leaves which it then maneuvers, often against the current and from its hiding place preys on smaller fish. Ujung Kulon is alive with crabs of many sizes and colors. Perhaps the most common is the small whitish Ghost crab, aptly named because of its quick disappearances, which deposits tiny sand balls in fan shaped designs on beaches. Hermit crabs are the species that live inside shells, exchanging them for larger ones as the crab matures. The large holes found on the forest floor, sometimes many kilometers from the sea, are made by mature hermit crabs that have abandoned their shells.
Fiddler crabs of colors that include bright red and turquoise are also easily identifiable because they have one claw far larger than the other and are sometimes seen engaging in group claw waving sessions in defense of their holes. the reefs and waters of the Park have an enormous variety of marine life. A vast world of shells, sponges, anemones, slugs, seahorse, squids, sea cucumbers, lobsters, shrimps, snails, jelly-fishes and worms- these are just a few of the numerous creatures for visitor to discover (Source: Indonesia's Ujungkulon National Park Handbook, written (by Margareth Clarbrougks).
The tree entrance points for visitors to Ujung Kulon National are Taman Jaya, Peucang Island and Handeuluem Island. Two less visited regions, Panaitan Island and Gunung Honje Range, can be reached from these entrance Points or direct from Labuan
TAMANJAYA AREA
The village of Tamanjaya, where the road down the coast line ends, is just side the park boundary. This is the main entry point for trekking into the park and visiting Handeuleum Island
This pleasant village provide into kampong life and offers both short and long walks in Gunung Honje area and the south coast. Boat trips to Handeuleum and Peucang Islands can be made from Tamanjaya.
WALK AND TRIP
This short walk meadering through Tamanjaya village and paddy fields leads to a hot spring just inside the park just inside the park boundary.
KALEJETAN WALK TRIP
The trail to Kalajetan passes through forest holding a variety of wildlife including pigs, squirrels and monkeys. at the south coast the camping area and guard post overlook the wave swept sandy shores of Kalejetan and bateng grazing grounds. crocodiles are also found in nearby lagoon and rhino are occasionally sighted in this region. this very pleasant walk provides both forest and shores experience.
Handeuleum Island Trip
West across Welcome Bay by local fishing boat is Handeuleum Island amongst aa group of small island off the Ujung Kulon Peninsula.
PEUCANG ISLAND AREA
The unique and delightful island of Peucang lies in cleasr blu waters off the north western coastline of Ujung Kulon Peninsula. Itswhite sand beaches and coral reff shores hold a fascinating world of marine life while Peucang's impressive forest shelters an abundance of wildlife, some of which graze and play around the lodges. Opposite Peucang Island across a 800 meters cannel is the Ujng Kulon Peninsula with a wide variety of attractions.
SWIMMING AND DIVING
Peucang Island's beach is superb for swimming and shallow snorkeling reefs are also found all along the shore, for deeper snorkeling there are coral reefs to the east, midway between the island and mainland. Scuba diving areas are also found to the west and at several other locations off Peucang Island.
WALK AND TRIPS
Karang Copong Walk
This pleasant walk north on peucang Island passes through towering forest to a rock archway beyond which are the reef pools of Karang Copong. The trail leads to the top of a bluff overlooking the reef from where spectacular tropical sunset can be seen. From this point an alternative trail return to the lodges.
Citerjun Teracces Trip
Located to the north esast on the mainland peninsula is calcified terraces and stalactites created by the waters the citerjun. These are remnants of the once spectacular formations recorded by early mariners that were destroyed by Krakatau tidal waves of 1883.
Cidaon Grazing Ground Trips
situated on Peninsula opposite Pucang Island, this large grassland with an observation tower is grazing ground for banteng, pigs, monkey, peafowl and on very rate occasions Java Rinoceros. Early morning or evening are the best times to visit.
Ciujung River Trip
Just to the east of Cidaon the waters of the Ciujungkulon form a canoe able route through overhanging nypa a swampland.
Cibunar Walk
From Cidaon the trail south through magnificent rain forest, crosses a low saddle, join the river Cibunar the continues to clearing and rock ramps on the south coast. just western ward are the cibunar river mouth and the park guard post. Monkey, bantemg, pigs and the track of rhino are often seen on this trail and it provides a excellent profile of the park's vegetation.
Tanjung Layar
there are two ways of reaching Tanjung Layar. From those choosing the shorter walk. the boat travels 3 km west to Peninsula shore a Cibom. At Cibom are remains of a proposed naval port that was begun in 1808 and than abandoned because of hardships and political un heavily, and nearby shelter contains information about they region. The trail followers the coastline west passing the currecnt lighthouse. from this tower are spectacular views of the rugged headlands’ and island below( permission must be obtained from lighthouse staff to enter the property and to clip the lighthouse tower. The route continues to the ruins of early building from where a stairway climbs 40 m bluff to Tanjung Layar Historical Site where two previous lighthouses and staff quarters were constructed in 1800's.
Tanjung Layar (Via Cidaon)
The longer walk to Tanjung Layar involves a short boat ride to Cidaon river opposite Peucang Island. The trail follows the shores westward through coastal rain forest to Cibom and continues along the coast to the historical site.
Walk and Trip
Alter taking a boat to Cibom the direct route to Ciramea travel thought the forest to a shelters at the south and follow the shore through rocky inletts and coastal forest to the northern end af ciramea bach. Either of these routes can be used for a return trip.
HANDEULEUM ISLAND AREA
Situated among a group of small islands just off the north eastern coast of the Ujung Kulon Peninsula, the Handeuleum island area offers river experiences with a variety of forest, wildlife and wetland in peace full location away from the main tourist routes.
Walk and Trip
This short forest walk across the island, the home of monkeys and deer, has views of Peninsula coastline and adjacent island.
Cigenter Grazing Ground
There several ways of reaching the grazing grounds and the most direct is by boats to a jetty near the Cigenter river mouth although alternatives routes through the forrest can be more interesting. The grazing ground's wildlife include banteng, pigs, deer, peafowl and tunneling birds .
Cigenter River Trip
Canoe trips up the Cigenter River are somewhat influenced by tides and trees across the river and if conditions are right the canoes can travel deep into the forest. The cigenter's waters meander thought dense overhanging rain forest, the habitat of pythons and hornbills where crocodiles and rhinos may also de seen on rare occasions. The charm of this river lies in its tranquile, primeval beauty.
Cihandeuleum Walk
Beyond the grazing grounds are dry season routes through the forest in the region between the Cigenter and Cikembeumbeum rivers. The attractions include a massive fig tree, popular with wild life, which extend over a wide area. Animal treks in the stream beds and wetlands of this region record wildlife activity and rhino and leopard tracks are often seen.
Cikabeumbeum and Cihandeuleum Rivers trip
South east of Handeuleum Island are three enchanting river outlets and their lower reaches can be explored by boat an high tide. From these forest of the sea come strange cloning sounds created by crabs and beyond are the silent inner waters.
PANAITAN ISLAND AREA
Panaitan's hill rise from pristine forest with wildlife of deer, pig, monkey, crocodiles, monitor lizards large pythons and a wide variety of bird life on the ancient Hindu statues on the summits of gunung Raksa. Panaitan Island's rugged coastline and wide sandy beaches shelters several scuba diving reef and created exceptional surfing waves
SURFING AND DIVING
There several good scuba diving location off Panaitan island's northern and eastern shores including the reef of Batu Pitak near Lagon Butun but diving around Panaitan Island is not recommended for beginners
Gunung Rakasa Walk
From Citambuyung the trail climb to Hindu statue of ganesha and lingam symbol of Shiva on the summit of Gunung Raksa. These statue date from the pre-Islamic period in Indonesia n history and the ganesh statue is of particular interest as it is unlike others found in Indonesia.
Lagon Sabini Walk
From Lagoon B Butun the trail crosses north west the Lagoon Bajo an a beach rout continues to white sandy beach, reefs and swamp of Lagoon Sabini at the head of Teluk Kasuaris.
GUNUNG HONJE AREA
The slopes of this range are the habitats of endangered Java gibbon and variety of Animal and birdlife. The villages in this region are seldom visited by tourist and provide insights into traditional Sudanese life.
WALK AND TRIP
Gunung Honje Walk
The climb of Mt. Honje begins near Tamanjaya at Cimenteng and accent through the forest to the summit with views of Welcomes Bay ant the Ujung Kulon Peninsula.
Cegog via Ranacecet
Beyond Cibadak the road becomes a motorbike or walking track passing through several kamung to the remote coastal village on Rancecet an Cegog at the south eastern corner of Ujung Kulon.