Exploring the Hidden Treasures of Baluran National Park’s Untamed Wilderness
Indonesia’s wealth is extraordinary. Indonesia’s geographical diversity has various types of very interesting places. One of them is copy-paste from the continent of Africa which is on the border between the Banyuwangi and Situbondo districts. Baluran National Park was called Africa Van Java because the conditions of its territory resemble the Savanna desert in Africa.
LOCATION OF BALURAN NATIONAL PARK
Baluran National Park located in Wongsorejo Village, Kec. Banyuputih, Situbondo Regency. The distance from Bondowoso city is approximately 101 kilometers or about 2 hours and 14 minutes to reach the gate of Baluran National Park. Finding the entrance to the Baluran National Park is not difficult because it is on the edge of the northern Surabaya provincial road. It takes about 20 minutes to get to Padang Savana. Now, the road to Padang Savana has been paved, and the time to get there is getting faster.
Baluran National Park is taken from the name of Mount Baluran. With an area of 25,000 hectares, Baluran National Park has a variety of different types of forests. Those are swamp forests, mangrove forests, seasonal forests, and evergreen forests that have always been green throughout the years.
There are more than 20 species of mammals that live in the Baluran forest, including Banteng, wild buffalo (Bubalus Bubalis), deer (Cervus timorensis russa), small antelope (Muntiacus Muntjak Muntjak), Mangrove cats (Prionailurus Viverrinus), several types of monkeys and there are more than 150 species of birds that live in Baluran National Park.
SAVANNAH BEKOL
Baluran National Park is very famous for its savannah-wide field named BEKOL. The place where it can be the place to control the office of the animal and animals located. There are various kinds of wildlife in BEKOL, namely Bulls, Deer, Peacocks, Long-tailed Monkeys, and various species of birds such as the Peacock (Pavo Muticus), Crane-tong (Leptoptilos Javanicus), Red Forest Chicken, and many more. There are also various types of flora during the dry season that will be brown and will be green when the rainy season. Whether it’s a dry or rainy season, Baluran National Park has its beauty. The view of dry trees has become an icon of Baluran National Park, visitors use this spot as a background for pre-wedding and video clips. The best time to take photos is when the sun sets.
Savannah which has an area of around 300 hectares was the largest savannah on java island. The expanse of Savannah which was backed by Baluran Mountain and Forest is a pleasant place to simply take photos or enjoy nature. There is also a tower or monitoring tower as high as 30 meters, so we can enjoy nature from above while watching animals roam even the Bali Strait using the telescope. However, to reach this tower visitors must climb the stairs of about 200 meters.
BAMA BEACH
At around 3 kilometers from Savanna Bekol, there is a quiet beach called Bama beach. But, visitors must be careful because the monkeys roam the beach area. Make sure, valuable items and food visitors are well protected so it is not to be carried by wild monkeys.
Bama Beach has more adequate facilities. There is a small mosque and a bathroom to change clothes after swimming. There are also outbound game facilities and guesthouses that are rented to stay. Visitors can put up tents in this area if they want to stay overnight. Because the beach faces east, the view of the sunrises is very amazing in the morning.
At Bama Beach, visitors can go snorkeling with help of a guide to prepare equipment. There are various kinds of coral reefs on Bama Beach. Many sea anemones also live there. Visitors can also enjoy the panorama of Mangrove or Mangrove forests around the coast. There are footpaths where visitors can walk on swamps and enjoy the mangrove forest more closely. In the mangrove tree root area also live small fish that can be seen from the bridge.
TIPS AND TRICKS
- Use sun protection because Savannah is very hot, like sunscreens, hats, and glasses.
- Bring food and drink supplies from home, because there are rarely food sellers.
- Be careful of naughty monkeys, and take care of valuables such as cameras, glasses, wallets, small bags, and food that are carried.
- It is better to visit in the morning until late afternoon because it is dangerous to drive at night.
- For prewedding photos, the moment of sunset is the best time.
- If you want to set up a tent you must report to BKSDA Baluran National Park.
- prohibit going alone in the forest without the supervision of Baluran National Park employees.
- Do not make bonfires
