Indonesia Nature and Wildlife
The moderate climate, fertile soil and minerals found on the land and in the waters of Indonesia make the archipelago an ideal habitat for a large amount of incredible flora and fauna. Indonesia is divided by the “Wallace Line” - an imaginary line between Bali and Lombok, continuing north between Kalimantan and Sulawesi. Any vegetation or wildlife found to the west of the line is traditionally Asian in nature while anything to the east is similar to that found in Australia.
As there are over 17,000 islands found in Indonesia, it is not surprising that a vast array of landscapes can be found. Islands such as Sumatra, Kalimantan and Papua are considerably wetter than other islands and therefore offer ancient rainforests that cover much of the islands’ areas. Islands located to the east of Bali are home to great savannahs while mountain tops found in Gede National Park located 100km outside of Jakarta look like they belong in the Swiss Alps rather than the tropical paradise of Indonesia.
Some of the large animals traditionally found in Asia can be found, albeit in small numbers, on a few of the islands of Indonesia. Tigers and leopards are rare, but can still be seen in Sumatra. Leopards are also found in Ujung Kuton National Park in Java. This national park also hosts the one-horned Javan rhinoceros - a species that is almost extinct. Elephants, again small in number, exist in the wild in Sumatra and in Way Kambas National Park. Some have also been spotted in the northeast part of Kalimantan. Papua is the only part of Indonesia to lay claim to any marsupial species. Tree-kangaroos, bandicoots and ring-tailed possums exist there, while some Australian reptiles, like crocodiles and frilled lizards also call Papua home.
Perhaps the two most famous species associated with Indonesia are the orangutan and the Komodo dragon. Orangutans are long haired red apes found in Sumatra and Kalimantan. These apes are a favourite amongst locals and visitors alike. Bohorok Orangutan Viewing Centre in northern Sumatra and Tanjung Putting National Park in Kalimantan are good places to view these animals in their natural settings. The Komodo dragon, reaching 3m long, is the world’s largest lizard. It can be found in the Komodo group of reserves made up of the Komodo, Padar and Rinca Islands.
To protect and accommodate such incredible nature and wildlife, the first national parks in Indonesia were established in 1980 and have been growing ever since. There are now forty-four designated national parks that cover both land and sea, six of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. There are also a large number of protected reserves, botanic gardens and zoos. Conservation groups like The Nature Conservancy and WWF have developed projects and reserves throughout the country to educate the population about the preservation of the immense flora and fauna found in Indonesia.
Indonesia Travel Information
At Goway we believe that a well-informed traveller is a safer traveller. With this in mind, we have compiled an easy-to-navigate travel information section dedicated to Indonesia.
Learn about the history and culture of Indonesia, the must-try food and drink, and what to pack in your suitcase. Read about Indonesia's nature and wildlife, weather and geography, along with 'Country Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts. Our globetrotting tips, as well as our visa and health information will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering Indonesia for yourself. Start exploring… book one of our Indonesia tours today!
Extend Your Trip
After your Indonesia vacation, consider taking the time to visit other destinations. Goway offers exciting China vacation packages, India tours and Thailand vacation packages plus a comprehensive selection of vacation packages in many other Asian countries.
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ASIA by Goway is an exclusive division that specializes in planning and organizing Indonesia tours, vacations and experiences. Choose from a simple city stopover, a romantic island stay, a stay of distinction, a independent travel module, and much more. We want to be your first choice when next you go globetrotting to Indonesia.
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