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Baluran National Park

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Overview

Baluran National Park is in East Java, Indonesia.

Facts

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Source

WBP almanac

External sources

Wikivoyage Wikipedia

Media

From Wikipedia471 words

WBP editorial3

Travel craft: entering the savanna

Most visitors arrive via the small town of Situbondo, where a morning minibus can be hired for the three-hour drive to the park's main gate. The journey offers a glimpse of East Java's patchwork of rice paddies and the looming silhouette of Mount Baluran. Once inside, a 4WD is practically mandatory for the savanna tracks; the soft, dry grass can swamp a standard car and the occasional river crossing demands higher clearance. Guides familiar with the seasonal water levels can steer you to the best buffalo‑watching hides, while also ensuring you respect the park's zoning, which limits vehicle access in the Wilderness Zone during the rainy months.

The local angle: why the park matters to Situbondo

For the residents of Situbondo Regency, Baluran is more than a tourist backdrop; it underpins livelihoods ranging from small‑scale fishing in the mangrove fringes to eco‑guided tours that showcase traditional Javanese knowledge of the terrain. Community‑run homestays near the park's periphery serve dishes seasoned with locally sourced tempeh and sea salt harvested from the Madura Strait. Seasonal festivals celebrate the return of the migratory waterfowl, and a portion of park entry fees is earmarked for school programmes that teach children about savanna ecology, reinforcing a sense of stewardship that extends beyond the park's boundaries.

When to visit: timing the dry savanna versus the wet forest

The park's micro‑climates dictate a dual itinerary. Between June and September the savanna is at its driest, the grass turning golden and the resident banteng more visible as they congregate around dwindling water holes. Conversely, October to December brings a gentle swell in humidity that awakens the lowland forests, inviting bird‑watchers to spot the elusive black‑capped kingfisher among the newly leafed canopy. Early morning drives are the sweet spot for both zones: the low light softens the harsh savanna glare and heightens the forest's chorus, while the cooler temperatures make the long rides more comfortable.

Introduction

National park on the island of Java in Indonesia Baluran National ParkTaman Nasional BaluranIUCN category II (national park)Buffalo at Bekol Savannah, Baluran National ParkBaluran NPLocation in JavaLocationSitubondo Regency, East Java, IndonesiaNearest citySitubondoCoordinates7°50′S 114°22′E / 7.833°S 114.367°E / -7.833; 114.367Area250 km2 (97 sq mi)Established1980Visitors10,192 (in 2007)Governing bodyMinistry of Environment and ForestryWebsitebalurannationalpark.web.id Baluran National Park is located in Situbondo Regency, East Java, Indonesia. It has a relatively dry climate and mainly consists of savanna (40%), as well as lowland forests, mangrove forests and hills, with Mount Baluran (1,247m) as its highest peak. Baluran National Park is located at the north-eastern extremity of Java, close to the islands of Bali and Madura. The park is bordered by the Madura Strait to the north, the Bali Strait to the east, the river Bajulmati (Wonorejo village) to the west and the river Klokoran (Sumberanyar village) to the south. The park is a rough circle, with the extinct volcano, Baluran, at its centre. Its total area is 25,000 ha. It consists of five zones: the Main Zone (12,000 ha), the Wilderness Zone (5,537 ha, comprising 1,063 ha water and 4,574 ha land), the Intensive Utilization Zone (800 ha), the Specific Utilization Zone (5,780 ha) and the Rehabilitation Zone (783 ha).

Flora and fauna

[edit] Ziziphus mauritiana trees in the park There have been 444 plant species recorded in the park, including some endangered plant species such as: Ziziphus rotundifolia, Tamarindus indica, Dioscorea hispida, Aleurites moluccanus and Corypha utan. Baluran National Park hosts 26 mammal species, including the endangered Banteng, Sumatran dhole, Indian muntjac, Java mouse-deer, Sunda leopard cat, Javan leopard and Javan lutung.[citation needed] The banteng population decreased from 338 in 1996 to just 26 in 2012. This is caused by invasive species such as Acacia nilotica and the water buffalo. However, intensive breeding efforts have increased the population to around 200 individuals by 2020. Avifauna in the park include the green peafowl, red junglefowl, oriental pied hornbill, rhinoceros hornbill and lesser adjutant. Until 2010, there had been 155 species of bird recorded in the park, but following a bird photography competition in 2012, the number of species was revised to 196. Extinct[edit] Javan tigers survived in the protected area until the mid-1960s.

Conservation and threats

[edit] The area has been protected since 1928, first initiated by the Dutch hunter A.H. Loedeboer. In 1937 it was declared a wildlife refuge by the Dutch colonial government. In 1980 the area was declared a national park. Poaching poses a major threat to the wildlife in the park, especially to the decreasing banteng population. According to ProFauna Indonesia, not only locals but also members of the military have been involved in poaching. The thorny acacia, which occupied at least 6,000 hectares of savannah at the Baluran National Park, has made it increasingly difficult for bantengs to find food. In 2013, there were only 35 bantengs, while in 1996 there were still 320 bantengs.