Mt Wangameti
Sumba’s highest mountain supports the largest area of forest (40,000 ha) remaining on Sumba. It catches more rainfall than other areas of Sumba and is covered in evergreen forest, favoured habitat of the Red-naped Fruit-dove. Visitors can stay with the head of Wangameti village and hire a guide to explore the forest or climb the mountain.
Key species
All Sumba’s endemic species (except Sumba Buttonquail) and Red-naped Fruit-dove common. Eclectus and Great-billed Parrots, Sumba Cicadabird, Chestnut-backed Thrush, Tawny Grassbird and Russet-backed Rhinomyias.
Getting there
Wangumeti village is about 65 km (3 hrs) south of Waingapu. From Waingapu drive west past the airport. 10 km from Waingapu take a turning on the right to Tana Rara, a further 49 km. continuing along the road from Tana Rara to Kanangar, after 7 km you reach a rough track to Wangameti on the right. Larondja village, which abuts the forest, is 24 km along this track.
A car charter to Wangameti will cost $45. by public transport ask around for the Ende Manis truck at the terminal in Waingapu in the evening. This truck does a daily run up to the Wangameti area. If you are going by motorbike, be aware that patrol is often not available in Tana Rara or Kanagar, but you can arrange for Ende Manis to drop a jerry can of benzene at Wangameti.
General Information
Visitors can stay with a family in Larondja; they ask for IDR 60,000 a night per person, including three basic meals. The village has a communal toilet block. The forest, which starts across a small river immediately behind the village, is criss-crossed with trails for collecting loba (the bark of a tree used in dyeing). The trek to the top of Wangameti is relatively gentle climb and takes 3-4 hrs. villagers ask IDR 30,000 a day for guiding. The price for half day is the same because they lose a day’s work.