Ujung Kulon National Park
The Ujung Kulon National Park is located in the extreme end of the West Java Province of Indonesia. It comprises of a triangular peninsula that protrudes on the southwestern of mainland Java. At this tip, you will find a low isthmus joined to the mainland that extends over a width of 1-2 kilometers.
Landscape Description
The most dominant feature of the park is the ridges of the Gunung Payung massif. Amazingly, the peaks of Gunung Payung, Gunung Guhabendang and Gunung Cikuja form the highest points in the Peninsula and thus if you love mountaineering, you will have a 360 degrees view if you climb any of the 3 peaks.
To the north-east, the relief attenuates to the low rolling hills and plains of the Telanca Plateau, and ultimately to the low-lying swamps in the region of the isthmus. To the east, the Gunung Further north east, you will find the relief attenuating into the rolling hills and plains of the Telanca Plateau. Ultimately, the plains will descend to the low swamplands of the isthmus. Another major feature in the park’s landscape is the coastal coral islands and reefs, with the largest of these being Pulau Handeuleum.
Geology
Ujung Kulon National Park, Gunung Honje and Pulau belong to the same geological origin of the Young Tertiary Mountain System that overlies the strat of Sunda Shelf. The Krakatau Nature Reserve lies on the outside boundaries of an active tectonic plate. The nature reserve is made of the islands of Payang, Sertung and Rakata as well as their surrounding reefs. The islands are the remnants of a volcano that exploded and collapsed about 1500 years go and in its wake left 3 cones.
Vegetation
One of the most notable factors that influence the vegetation in this ecosystem is the Krakatau eruption of 1883. The rich volcanic soils are ideal for primary lowland forests, which, covers 50% of the surface area of the park. The forest is mostly found I Honje Massifs and Gunung Payung.
Apart from the tall canopy forest that is found in Gunung Payung, you will also get a chance to explore the more open secondary forest on Pulau Peucang. In the northern promontory of Ujung Kulon is the swamp forest of the Alang –Alang. Other vegetation types found here are the mangrove forests of the isthmus that extends to the Cikalong River.
Fauna Species
Among the animals you can expect to see in this park include; Javan rhinoceros, Javan tiger, leopard, wild dog (dhole), leopard cat, fishing cat, Javan mongoose and several civets. Primates species found here include the endemic species Javan gibbon and Javan leaf as well as the endemic silvered leaf monkey and crab-eating. A rich avifauna is present with over 270 species recorded. Terrestrial reptiles and amphibians include two species of python, as well as two crocodiles and numerous frogs and toads. Green turtle is known to nest within the park.
Now that you know what you will be seeing during your visit, why not embark on this Indonesian adventure and have a well-spent holiday?
by Kennedy Runo on 05/08/2014 in Adventure