Birdwatching in Bukit Barisan National Park

Bukit Barisan National Park

This 356,800-ha park covers the southern tip of the Barisan range and just out as a spur into the Sunda Strait. It could act as a funned for migratory passerines and raptors between August and October but this has never been checked out; the mosaic of scrub, forest and grassland around Bimbing looks particularly promising.

The whole park is below 700 m, making it an excellent place to see lowland forest specialities, and it boasts spectacular coastal scenery. The best birding excursion is the 4-day circular trek from Tambung across the southern tip to Belimbing, returning along a new track, which follows the coast. There is an alternative return route from Belimbing via the caves at Way Paya, which could be good.

In the northern part of the park there is a trail that leads into excellent forest and across the peninsula from the PHPA post at Sukaraja.

Key species

Beach Thick-knee, Great Argus, Pink-necked Green Pigeon, Pied and green Imperial Pigeons, Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, Raffles Malkoha, Blue-banded Kingfisher, Rhinoceros Hornbill, Olive-backed Woodpecker, Black-and-yellow Broadbill, Rail Babblers, Purple-naped Sunbird, Black Magpie.

Getting there

The town to head for is Kota Agung. There are daily buses from Bandar Lampung; the journey time is approximately 4 hrs and the fare IDR 7,500. if you fly to Bandar Lampung, taxis at the airport will drive you to Kota Agung for $40-45.

General Information

The national Park office is at Jl Raya Terbaya, this is 1.5 km before downtown Kota Agung on the main road from Lampung. Park entrance fee is IDR 7,500. You are obliged to take a park guide to enter the park ($10/IDR 90,000 per day)

source: Birding Indonesia. periplus Publishing. Singapore

Birdwatching in Way Kambas National Park (Sumatra)

Bandar Lampung

Bandar Lampung (often called Tanjung Karang) is the capital of Lampung Province. It is easily accessible from Jakarta, making excarsions to Way Kambas and Bukit Barisan National Park quite feasible for visitors to West Java.

Way Kambas National Park

Way Kambas, on the east coast of Sumatra’s Lampung Province, is one of Indonesia’s best known wildlife reserves. Tigers still roam the reserve, as do large herds of elephant. For the bird-watcher, the way Kanan area is much preferred to the more generally visited Way Kambas, with its elephant training centre. The trails and canoe trips offer the opportunity to see a wide range of lowland forest birds and the possibility of seeing great rarities such as White-winged Duck and Storm’s Stork.

Key species

White-winged Duck, Storm’s Stork, Large, Gould’s and Sunda Frogmouths, Crested Fireback, Great Argus, Grey-headed Fish-eagle, Checker-throated Yellownape.

Other wildlife

Siamang, Agile Gibbon, Banded and Silvered Leaf Monkeys, Elephant. Tiger and Tapir are present but very rarely seen.

Getting there

By car Way Kambas is 7-8 hrs by car and ferry from Jakarta. The turning east for way Kambas off the Trans-Sumatran highway is signposted at Panjang, 4 km south of Bandar Lampung and 85 km north of Bakauheni harbour. Follow the road to Way Jepara and on to Rajabasalama (92 km). in Rajabasalama turn right at the stone elephant; the park entrance is reached after 7 km and Way Kanan after a further 13 km. or take the Kota Bumi road north out of Bandar Lampung and follow the elephant signs.

By bus direct buses, signed to Way Jepara, leave from Rajabasa bus station in Bandar Lampung; the last bus departs at 3 pm, but you should depart by lunchtime as the ojek drivers will not enter the park after dusk. The journey takes 3 hrs and costs $1.50. get off at the stone elephant at Rajabasalama and hire an ojek for the 20-km journey to Way Kanan, $4.50

From Bandar Lampung airport, which is the northern Rajabasalama road, simply step out and flag down a Way Jepara bus. Alternatively you can take a taxi direct to Way Kanan ($25.00)

Accommodatin/dining

There is a 6-room guest house at Way Kanan. Quite basic, but clean sheets, $12.50D. you need to bring your own food but you can use the rangers’ kitchen.

General information

The dry season, May-Nov, is the best time to visit the wildlife reserve. To obtain a permit, pay $2 at the park entrance, or get it in advance from PHPA in Bandar Lampung. A rangers’ cooperative organizes the Way Kanan facilities. See map and main article for details of trails. Canoes can be hired for $12.50/day, full days only, and speedboat for $80/day.

taken from Birding Indonesia. Periplus Publishing. Singapore