Indonesia's National Parks: 15 Amazing Reserves

Indonesia is made up of thousands of islands and vast, untouched wilderness areas. Visiting all of Indonesia's nature reserves in just a few trips is simply impossible: the country boasts over 50 diverse national parks, teeming with rare and astonishing wildlife. These vast territories, veritable sanctuaries, offer the chance to encounter orangutans, elephants, rhinos, tigers, and Komodo dragons. We'll explore several amazing places where natural beauty is preserved in the following article.

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Komodo dragon

One of Indonesia's most famous nature reserves, attracting visitors from around the world, it's home to the largest lizards on the planet, nicknamed Komodo dragons for their fearsome appearance . This ancient and rare lizard species is often compared to dinosaurs. They can reach over 3 meters in length and weigh over 130 kg!

Tourists can see Komodo dragons in their natural habitat, but only on two islands—Komodo and Rinca. Travelers on both islands must be accompanied by a park ranger. Rangers are also responsible for the safety of visitors. Encountering Komodo dragons on your own can end tragically, as attacks are not uncommon.

The most popular route is the 2-kilometer walk to Banunggulung. By prior arrangement, it can be extended to Poreng. Shorter routes are also available from the ranger station in Lo Liang to Kampung Komodo in the southwest. The waters of the reserve abound with rich coral reefs, home to sea turtles, whales, and dolphins.

How to get to Komodo

Fly to Labuan Bajo on Flores Island. Flights are available from Bali, Lombok, Jakarta, and Yogyakarta. Motorboats run daily from Sa Pae in West Nusa Tenggara to Komodo, weather permitting.

Incidentally, it's convenient to combine several islands into one trip: start in Bali's cultural capital, Ubud, and then head to the rice fields of Sidemen. A short flight to Flores allows you to explore volcanoes and local villages, followed by a cruise to Komodo and other islands near Labuan Bajo.

Visit

The entrance fee depends on the selected package. As of 2025, it is 1,355,000 IDR per person (approximately $90). This is the price for a single boat trip around Komodo. It includes trekking on Komodo Island and Padar, ranger services on Padar and Rinca Island, snorkeling, local tickets, and a wildlife conservation fee.

Some boat tours prefer to visit Rinca instead of Komodo Island. This boat excursion costs 900,000 IDR.

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Lorenz

This is the largest protected area in Southeast Asia, where you can swim in the azure ocean waters and practically simultaneously take a photo against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks. After all, Indonesia's highest mountain, Puncak Jaya, is located in Lorentz Park, reaching 4,884 meters and covered in perpetual ice.

The park is home to many rare animals and remains home to isolated tribes: the Amungme, Western Dani, Nduga, Ngalik, Asmat, Mimika, and Somohai.

How to get there

Fly to Wamena, Biak, Jayapura or Timika and then continue overland.

Arfani Mujib, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kerinci-Seblat

Kerinci Seblat in West Sumatra is home to Sumatran elephants and tigers, clouded leopards, Malayan sun bears, and tapirs. It's also the only place in the world where the world's tallest flowers, the Titan arum, and the largest flower, the Rafflesia arnoldii, grow.

The park is one of Indonesia's largest nature reserves, covering an incredible 14,000 square kilometers. It is home to West Sumatra's highest peak and Indonesia's second-highest volcano, Gunung Kerinci. It attracts climbers willing to test their mettle.

How to get there

The nearest major city is Padang, the airport. From the airport, it's another 3-4 hours' drive to the park. Hikes begin in Kersik Tuo, a tea plantation village at the foot of Gunung Kerinci. Guests can stay at a guesthouse and find a trekking operator. For safety, authorities recommend exploring the park with a guide.

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Meru Betiri

Meru Betiri National Park on the island of Java is the last remaining habitat of Javan tigers. Although they are considered extinct, reports of their appearance in the park surface from time to time. In 2011, park authorities agreed to install camera traps to monitor tiger presence in the park. The best way to fully explore this area is by renting a motorbike or boat.

You can also watch turtle hatchlings in the park. Sukamade Beach is home to various marine species, including the green turtle, hawksbill turtle, and leatherback turtle. The most popular beaches for relaxation are Green Bay and Rajegwesi.

How to get there

The reserve is located in East Java, so it's best to hire a driver and guide with a good 4x4 vehicle in Banyuwangi or Jember.

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Gunung Leser

Gunung Leuser National Park, covered in dense jungle and home to elephants, rhinos, bears, tigers, 500 species of birds, and orangutans, is located in the heart of Indonesia, on Sumatra. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is dominated by Gunung Leuser, Sumatra's second-highest peak (almost 3,500 m). The park is also home to the world's largest flowers!

How to get there

Fly to Medan Kualanamu International Airport. You can catch a flight from Jakarta, Singapore, or Malaysia. Then, take a bus or taxi to one of the villages near the park, such as Bukit Lawang or Ketambe.

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Tanjung Puting

Tanjung Puting National Park, located in the heart of Borneo, is home to orangutans, pythons, bearded pigs, and pitcher plants. The park covers over 416,000 hectares and features authentic jungles, mangroves, swamps, forests, and a beach. It is a renowned ecotourism destination, home to orangutan sanctuaries and research centers.

Tourists have the opportunity to observe the monkeys being fed. At Camp Leakey and Pondok Tanggui, orangutans are offered bananas and milk at special stations, helping to compensate for the seasonal food shortages in the forest. The park also has a rehabilitation center.

How to get there

Fly to the nearest airport, Pangkalan Bun. You can also take a 72-hour speedboat from Semarang, Java, to Kumai.

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Bantimurung-Bulusaraung

throughout the reserve on the island of Sulawesi! However, Bantimurung Bulusaraung's most famous landmark is its stunning waterfall. Thanks to its rich flora, the park is teeming with fascinating and diverse wildlife. But most importantly, it's a kingdom of butterflies! The reserve even has a museum housing thousands of unique and rare species that still inhabit the area.

How to get there

The national park, located just 20 km from Hasanuddin Airport in Makassar, can be reached from the airport by local public transport "pit-pit" in approximately 30 minutes.

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Wakatobi

The underwater paradise of Wakatobi National Park is world-renowned for its wide variety of coral reefs and fish in the Asia-Pacific Coral Triangle. Nearly a thousand different fish species inhabit the area and 750 coral reef species have found a home here. And in November, you can spot sperm whales swimming majestically in the pristine waters.

How to get there

Fly to Makassar or Kendari, then take a connecting flight to Wangi Wangi, near the national park. Alternatively, you can fly to Bau Bau and then take a boat to the nearby islands of Wanchi, Kaledupa, or Tomia.

Jenny from Taipei, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Bromo Tengger Semeru

One of the most popular volcanic peaks in Indonesia, the park's heart is the active Mount Bromo, which gives the reserve its name. Thousands of visitors wake up before dawn each year and climb the volcano's slopes to enjoy the breathtaking view of sunrise over the mountains. Many enjoy exploring the park on horseback, in jeeps, or on motorcycles, which are available for rent.

How to get there

Surabaya, Malang, and Probilingo are the most popular places to visit in Bromo National Park. The easiest way to get to Surabaya is by plane.

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Gede Pangrango Mountains

Just under two hours' drive from Jakarta is Mount Gede Pangrango National Park, home to two nearby volcanoes – Gede and Pangrango. The park has four entrances, each with hiking trails. Cibodas is the most popular. Of course, hiking isn't the only activity visitors can enjoy. Although the park is primarily sports-oriented, it's a great place for family fun. Along the way to the summit, visitors will encounter numerous observation platforms with stunning views, a lake, and a stunning waterfall.

How to get there

The drive from Jakarta takes about an hour.

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Berbak

The dense, wet swamps and forests of Berbak National Park are fraught with danger—it's one of the rare habitats of the endangered Sumatran tiger. Due to its importance for wildlife conservation, the Sumatra reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Ramsar site. However, the park is open to the public, and visitors are welcome to explore it at any time. One of the most notable trails runs along the Air Hitam Dalam River.

How to get there

The nearest airport is Jambi (DJB), from where the park can be reached by car.

Photo by James Maiden www.cifor.org Center for International Forestry Research, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Way Kambas National Park

The unique landscapes of Way Kambas National Park epitomize the southwest coast of Sumatra. This is the perfect place to see elephants. The park is renowned for its population of domesticated elephants and is also a sanctuary for Sumatran rhinoceroses. Tourists can also raft down the local river. It's simply breathtaking! A four-hour one-way boat ride through the rainforest from Labuhan Meringgi, 12 kilometers south of the park, to the mouth of the Way Kambas River is highly recommended.

How to get there

Day trips to Way Kambas National Park are possible from Jakarta via Bandar Lampung International Airport in South Sumatra.

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Ujung Kulon

This well-protected national park is home to many rare and endangered plant and animal species, including the silvery gibbon, one-horned rhinoceros, and Javan mouse-deer. The park also includes the Krakatoa Peninsula, located at the westernmost point of Java. Ujung Kulon is open to visitors, who can take tours, book accommodations, and even camp.

How to get there

Rent a boat for 2-3 hours from Carita Beach, a town on the west coast of Java, to Peukang Island, where one of the national park offices is located.

Muhammad Adimaja, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Bunaken Marine Park

A popular diving spot in Indonesia, home to more than 390 different coral species. In some places, the sea depth exceeds 1,500 meters.

Biodiversity is not limited to corals: you might even encounter a dugong. In addition to Bunaken Island, the park includes Manado Tua, Siladen, Montehage, and Nain.

How to get there

Once in Manado, the second largest city on the island of Sulawesi, head to Manado harbor, Molas, Kalesi, or Tasik Ria beach and take a ferry to Bunaken. The boat trip takes about 45 minutes.

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Rinjani National Park

Mount Rinjani is Indonesia's third volcano exceeding 3,700 meters in height. Its breathtaking panoramas make the park one of the most popular hiking and trekking destinations. Note that foreign tourists are not allowed into the park without a guide. Overnight stays are possible. The park is located on the island of Lombok, near Bali. Organized excursions here are very common.

How to get there

There is a high-speed boat service from Bali to Lombok; the journey takes about 75 minutes.

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What you need to know before visiting nature reserves in Indonesia

• Parks are paid, and in some cases, you need to obtain permission from local authorities to enter.
• Prices vary widely, but there is a big difference between what locals and foreign visitors pay.
• Usually, the fee for foreigners is three times higher than for locals, especially in popular places.
• It is best to check the cost of a visit with guides on site: you won't always find this information on official websites.
• For your own safety, many parks recommend visiting with a guide who knows the trails and local inhabitants. In some reserves, this is a mandatory condition.
• Ask your guide on site what you need to take with you to the reserve: clothing, protective equipment, repellents, water, food.
• Both one-day excursions and multi-day hikes into the depths of protected areas are possible.
• In some reserves, it is possible to meet representatives of local tribes. If you plan such an adventure, you will need to book an expedition to the tribes in advance. For example, treks to the Korowai tribe are practiced, who build tree houses.

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