Sumatra countryside, Sumatra, Indonesia

Sumatra

Sumatra is home to the Kambas National Park, established in 1924 in a 1,300kmsq forest and one of the oldest protected areas in Indonesia.

Primarily known for its elephant population and the nearby elephant and rhino sanctuary, visitors can also expect to see macaques, gibbons, langurs and siamangs, as well as larger (and more elusive) mammals such as tapir, Sumatran tiger, clouded leopard and honey bear.

There have also been more than 300 species of birds recorded here, including the rhinoceros hornbill and white winged Duck.

Swimming Sumatran elephant Tangkahan, Sumatra, Indonesia
Sumatra, Indonesia

Elephant Conservation Centre

Home also to the Elephant Conservation Centre, which gives an opportunity to see elephants and their carers (mahouts) up close and possibly bathe them in the river, after enjoying an optional elephant ride through the surrounding plains. Please bear in mind that the animal welfare standards found in Indonesia are very different from those in the west although organised visits have helped to improve the welfare at the centre. An evening can be spent on a night walk to look for owls, nightjars, and slow loris.

Experiences

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Blyth Horbill, Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Way Kambas National Park

Explore the rivers and forest of this National Park in southern Sumatra – hike forest trails and cruise the Way Kanan River in search of hornbills and kingfishers.

A slow loris curled up in a ball staring towards the camera.

Sumatran Nocturnal Wildlife

Search for nightjars and slow loris on a night walk in southern Sumatra.

Two Asian elephants with tusks playing.

Sumatran Elephant Conservation

Visit the Elephant Conservation centre in Sumatra and spend time with these beautiful and endangered creatures.

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A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Clare Higginson

It was my passion for languages that first encouraged me to leave the UK behind and grab my rucksack. Since then, it’s been a mixture of intriguing cultures, jaw-dropping landscapes and the wonder of seeing animals in their natural habitat that sees me continuously extending my travel wish list.

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