Ujung Kulon National Park

The Ujung Kulon National Park on the southwest tip of the island of Java is the first national park in Indonesia. The importance stems from the diversity of species of wildlife, especially of its population of Javan Rhinos and the largest lowland rain forest on Java and the surrounding marine life.

Geography

The National Park lies in the southwest of Java and is part of the district of Pandeglang. To the east of the National Park of Gunung Honje ridge runs in a north -south direction, which rises to 620 meters above sea level. At the southern end closes in a westerly direction a peninsula on. This peninsula are offshore islands like more Handeuleum, Peucang and Panaitan in the north. The land area is 76 214 hectares, the adjacent sea zone further 44,337 hectares. The Ujung Kulon peninsula is mostly flat, with the exception of Gunung Payung with 480 m height in the southwest. Has panaitan with the Gunung Raksa a central elevation to 360 m. The island group around the Krakatau is located about 60 km north of Ujung Kulon peninsula in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra and covers 2,500 hectares.

West of Gunung Honje a narrow strip of land connects before wide sandy beaches bordering the Sunda Strait. The north-east coast of the peninsula is mostly marshy. In the north and west, narrow sandy beaches and reefs alternate. In the southwest, the hills fall steeply down to the sea. The south is dominated by wide sandy beaches.

The climate is tropical, with temperatures between 25 and 30 ° C and 80-90 % humidity. The rainy season lasts approximately from October to April and bring in addition to high rainfall (400 mm in December and January) and strong north winds. The driest months are between July and September.

History

The Ujung Kulon - Peninsula has been declared a nature reserve in 1921. 1937 have been added to the islands Peucang, Handeuleum and Panaitan, 1958 Gunung Honje - ridge. Ujung Kulon in 1980 was raised together with the Krakatau Nature Reserve National Park, and finally in 1992 by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Biology

The vegetation is characterized by great diversity. These include original tropical rainforest, mangroves, freshwater marshes and Küstenbewaldung. Everywhere flowers and fruit-bearing plants can be found. There are lists more than 310 animal species, including mammals, reptiles and birds as well as countless species of insects. In Ujung Kulon National Park - are still alive 50 to 60 Javan Rhinos, the last group of its kind in Indonesia. While rhinos are up to their numerous tracks, only extremely rarely seen diving in the clearings banteng wild cattle on more often. Also mane deer, barking deer, wild boar, warty, Kant Chile and macaques and langurs are frequently seen. Especially near the river, monitor lizards, pythons, turtles and occasionally crocodiles can be observed. Among the most striking birds are the hornbill, kingfishers, sea eagles and the bee-eater species Blauschwanzspint and Malaienspint. Towards evening flying foxes and bats show. Rarely are observations of leopards, wild dogs and gibbons.

To the coast around there are some reefs and colorful coral reefs, home to numerous marine life.

Tourism

Starting point of tours in the Ujung Kulon National Park, is the city Labuan on the Sunda Strait to reach Jakarta by taxi or bus in 3 to 5 hours. In Labuan is the park administration, granted the permission to visit. On Peucang there are Guesthouses different equipment and a restaurant on Handeuleum another simple guest house; availability should be previously obtained from park management. In Labuan or in the neighboring resort of Carita also tours are offered in the National Park. The trip to Krakatau take the motor boat about two hours to Ujung Kulon about four hours. By land you can take the bus from Labuan on to Taman Jaya ( about 5 hours ) and set there either rent a boat or on foot walking through the park. A guide is mandatory. Since there is no meal option up to Peucang, all food can be taken. Water in some places is available in the park, but must be filtered and boiled accordingly.

From Handeuleum from a canoe trip on the river Cigentar can be done, followed by a 2 km long march can connect through the jungle to a cataract. Is located at the mouth of the Cigentar a clearing with an observation tower.

From Peucang out can be placed on the peninsula to the clearing of Cidaon with an observation tower or after Cibom and Tanjung Layar lighthouse at the westernmost point of Java. More hikes to the south coast or the north are possible. Peucang also offers beautiful coral reefs for snorkeling.

From Taman Jaya from there are various ways through the park to the south coast and from there to Peucang ( at least 2 days schedule ). Along the way there are some shelters to stay, take a tent but is beneficial. A complete circumnavigation of the peninsula is not possible due to the marshes in the northeast. There are over 100 km of hiking trails that lead extend offshore due to the nature conservation for the most part and rarely in the interior of the peninsula.

In a cave in Sanghyang Sirah in the southwest is a Muslim memorial, which is sometimes visited by local groups of pilgrims.

The South Panaitans offers ideal waves for surfing. On Panaitan a surf camp was built under questionable circumstances in 2005, which has now (2009) abandoned. On the mountain Gunung Raksa is a statue of the Hindu deity Ganesha.

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