Ujung Kulon National Park: A Pristine Natural Ecosystem
Ujung Kulon National Park, located about 300 km from Jakarta and 140 km from Serang, is a vast natural reserve that covers a total area of 122,955 hectares. This includes 78,619 hectares of land and 44,337 hectares of seas. The park spans across the Ujung Kulon Peninsula, Panaitan Island, Peucang Island, Handeleum islands, and Honje Mountain Range. Administratively, it is situated in the Sumur and Cimanggu districts within the Pandeglang Regency of Banten Province. Ujung Kulon National Park is not only renowned for being one of the world’s most well-preserved ecosystems but also serves as Indonesia’s prime national park.
A Haven for Flora and Fauna
One of the remarkable features of Ujung Kulon National Park is its undisturbed ecosystem teeming with diverse flora and fauna. The crown jewel of this park is the one-horned rhinoceros or Javan Rhino (Rhinoceros sundaicus), which holds iconic status not just within the national park but also in the entire province. This majestic creature is considered one of the rarest mammals on Earth and has been classified as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
In addition to the Javan Rhino, Ujung Kulon National Park harbors various other unique wildlife species such as owa Jawa monkeys (Hylobates moloch), surili (Presbytis aigula), dhole/wild dog (Cuon alpinus javanicus), banteng bull (Bos javanicus), silvery gibbon (Hylobates moloch), Javan lutung (Trachypithecus auratus), long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis), Javan leopard (Panthera pardus melas), Java mouse-deer/kancil (Tragulus javanicus), deer (Rusa timorensis), and many more. The park is also home to over 72 species of reptiles and amphibians, as well as 240 species of birds.
A Diverse Array of Flora
Ujung Kulon National Park not only boasts a rich wildlife population but also showcases a wide range of vegetation profiles, spanning from sea-coastal areas to tropical mountains. Within the park’s boundaries, there are more than 700 types of flora, with 57 of them classified as rare in Java and possibly even globally. Some notable plant species that exclusively grow in this area include Batryohora geniculata, Cleidion spiciflorum, Heritiera percoriacea, and Knema globularia.
How to Reach Ujung Kulon National Park
There are two main ways to access Ujung Kulon National Park: by boat from Carita Beach or by car via Labuan to Tamanjaya or Sumur.
By Boat:
- If you choose the sea route, you can charter a boat from Carita Beach which will take approximately 2-3 hours to reach Peucang Island. This island serves as the base for accommodation and the national park representative office.
By Car:
- If you prefer the overland route, starting from Jakarta, you can drive towards Serang, the capital of Banten, which takes around 2 hours via the Toll road. From Serang, you continue westward to Labuan in Pandeglang Regency, which will take approximately another 2 hours. In Labuan, you will find the main office of Ujung Kulon National Park located at Jalan Perintis Kemerdekaan No 51.
- From Labuan, the journey continues to Panimbang, Sumur, and Tamanjaya for a little over 2 hours. Please be aware that some parts of the road may be narrow and in poor condition, so it is important to drive with caution.
The Office of Ujung Kulon National Park area II Handeleum and Tamanjaya provides entrance tickets, insurance, and general information about the national park. It is situated in Tamanjaya Village near the Tamanjaya dock. All tourist activities requirements such as boat rentals, local guides, porters, and more can be arranged at this office.
