Where in Java can you go to avoid the 120 million people living on this island? The land mass to people ratio makes Java one of the most densely populated places on earth. If you want to find peace and solitude and get away from people then head to Ujung Kulon National Park . Located in the remote southwestern tip of Java, Ujung Kulon National Park is the country’s premier wildlife reserve. Because of its isolation and difficult road access, Ujung Kulon has remained an outpost of virgin forest and untouched wilderness. The park was declared a world heritage site in 1992.
The wildlife that inhabits the park includes the Javan one-horned rhinoceros. The shy rhino are extremely hard to spot, as their thick skin and body shape allows them to penetrate deep into the jungle, and with the 760 sq km of land mass, there are plenty of good hiding spots for this elusive animal. With its sharp sense of smell and ability to match the running speed of a human, few people have actually seen the great Javan Rhino. Being a highly mobile creature of the jungle, covering distances of up to 20kms a day, it is easy for the rhino to evade people. It is estimated that numbers have increased and now 60 rhinos live in the park. Other wildlife which inhabits the park includes the banteng (wild cattle), wild pigs, otters, leaf monkeys, gibbons, squirrels and a variety of birdlife.
If you are lucky you can spot panthers, which also live in the forest but beware when swimming in the river estuaries as crocodiles lurk in the waters. Green turtles live in various bays around the park and it is not uncommon to see monkeys and rusa deer on the beaches. The best way to gain access to the park is by boat. We boarded the “Nomad”, a traditional pinisi, in Tanjung Lesung. The boat is owned and operated by Todd, an ex pat from Australia. Other options include boat charters from Carita or Labuan.
When taking a boat charter out of Tanjung Lesung you have the added bonus of exploring Krakatau on the way to Ujung Kulon. The legendary Krakatau blew itself apart in 1883 and to date is one of the world’s most catastrophic eruptions. The explosion sent shock waves around the world with ash falling on the island of Singapore. As far away as East Africa, pumice and miscellaneous items were washed up on the shores of Tanzania. The 40 meter high tidal wave destroyed 165 villages and more than 36,000 people were killed. The fascinating tales and facts of Krakatau are well documented in Simon Winchester’s book, Krakatoa, published in 2003.
When planning a trip to Krakatau and Ujung Kulon the best time to travel is the dry season – April to October. The seas are calm at this time of year and the wet boggy areas of the park are drier. Malaria is a risk in the National Park, so avoid rainy season and take the appropriate preventative measures to minimize your risk of being bitten.
The park is famous for its hiking trails, however the beautiful isolated beaches that cover the coastline are among Ujung Kulon’s best kept secret. The snorkeling is spectacular and the waters are some of the cleanest you will see anywhere in Indonesia. Because of the isolation and the fact that there are no populated villages and towns in the park’s boundaries, this allows for the beaches to be free of waste and rubbish. A welcome relief.
Pulau Peucang is one of the main entry points to the park, if you are coming by boat. The beautiful white powder sand beaches and coral reefs around this area make this a worthwhile stop. Trails through the forest take you to the North coast where the famous surf-pounded beaches abound. It is possible to stay in simple accommodation on the island, and this allows you extra time to spend with some of the huge monitor lizards that hang around the rangers hut and jetty area.
A trip to take in the highlights of Ujung Kulon and include Krakatau can be done in three or four days and is easily accessible from Jakarta. The combined beauty of the secluded bays and beaches, the unique wildlife of the park and the primeval forest environment make this trip a memorable one.
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