5 Unique Ecotourism Experiences in Indonesia

Looking for fresh tourist spots to visit after the pandemic? How about taking an eco-friendly trip? Ecotourism started gaining popularity about a decade ago and environmental-friendly destinations saw a surge in interest from travelers.

Enlighten yourself with these 5 ecotourism spots in Indonesia to enhance your post-pandemic travel plans and to make a positive impact on the community:

1 | Mount Leuser National Park

Named after the lovely Mount Leuser in North Sumatra, this large park is home to thousands of unique species of wildlife, including endangered tigers and orangutans. The diversity in the soil and the altitude of this North-Sumatran treasury results in an enormous variety of flora. The fact that 45% of all known plant species in the whole Indo-Malayan region can be found in this place, makes it so unique.

Unfortunately, in 2011, UNESCO included 7,927 km2 of beautiful land on the list of World Heritage in danger, pushing the community to change its ways. Now, tourists can enjoy their visit and at the same time animals, wildlife, and community around the area can be protected. The priority is to give back to society by employing local communities and keeping the trips waste-free, leaving only footprints on this precious soil.

Observe the stunning diversity as you jungle trek with experienced local guides; witness Amorphophallus titanum, the biggest flower in the world, and watch the endangered orangutans venture deep into the jungle.

2 | Baluran National Park

Covering an area of about 250 km2, the Baluran National Park, in East Java, allows you to encounter the savannah wildlife. The lush vegetation here includes pecan nut trees, maja, and Java tamarind trees. Tourists, who love the woodland-grassland landscape, can gaze upon the 144 species of birds, including black kites or Hirundo rustica, and enjoy binocular views of the 26 mammal species that this habitat offers.

In addition to the wildlife panorama of the savannah, tourists can enjoy the Bama Beach which lies east of the area. This enchanting location offers water activities, like snorkeling and diving, to explore the abundance of nature. Baluran National Park is the perfect ecotourism destination for those who want to experience savannahs and water ventures.
 

3 | West Bali National Park

This prosperous destination is located in Bali, a place loved by tourists, both local and foreign. Serving as the island’s main wildlife conservation area, West Bali National Park’s greenery stretches across a staggering 19,000 hectares of land.

With the coarse savannahs, dense tropical rainforests, mangrove swamps, and coral reefs, tourists can witness Mother Nature at its finest here. This ecotourism spot is home to more than 300 fauna species, especially the endangered Bali starling, and serves as a protected reserve, allowing access to only those who have permission.

But no need to worry; West Bali National Park is always open for eco-tours. With the assistance of a tour guide, tourists can indulge in sightseeing on outriggers, diving, trekking, and bird-watching, some of the most popular activities here!
 

4 | Komodo National Park

Featured on the list of National Geographic’s World’s Top 10 Destinations (2017), Komodo National Park serves as the perfect retreat for peace and tranquility. This park is located in the East Nusa Tenggara province and is the best place to spot the slithering four-legged reptile, the Komodo dragon. Local and foreign tourists can also discover other species of wildlife in this area, including the orange-footed scrub fowl, Timor deer, and the endemic Rinca rat.

Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, the park has expanded its conservation goals from protecting the vulnerable Komodo dragon species to preserving the entire biodiversity. How could it not? This vast field accommodates more than 260 species of coral reefs, 1,000 diverse species of fishes, and at least 19 types of mangroves.

Tourists can enjoy the magnificent panoramic view of the island, observe the Komodo dragons with local tour guides, or even experience the park’s marine life by snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters of this ecotourism site.
 

5 | Bunaken National Park

Unlike the other locations mentioned above, the Bunaken National Park serves as a tropical marine park. Established in 1991, this park has 89,065 hectares of surface area, 97% of which is warm tropical seawater and only 3% of it is land.

This park, located in Manado, North Sulawesi, is well-known for its unique bathymetry, an eye-catching attraction for scuba divers, and those who want to experience the park’s marine life. Ecotourism will contribute to assist the local community and the earnings will be spent on the conservation programs of the park.

Whether you have recently developed an interest in ecotourism or happen to be a dedicated eco-tourist, it is important to create a sustainable environment and more sustainable destinations for future generations to enjoy! These 5 breath-taking national parks do not only attract tourists but also implement eco-friendly ideas of preserving wildlife and also contribute to the local communities.