West Bali National Park is the only national park in Bali.
Menjangan Island, West Bali National Park
The West Bali National Park (Taman Nasional Bali Barat in Bahasa Indonesia)
History
The park was officially recognized as an important area in 1917, and designated as a natural park. Since 1941 it is considered a national park.
Landscape
The landscape is very diverse: rain forest, dry savannah, acacia scrub and floodplain forests … There are also some areas with dense mangrove forests.
In the north of the park there is a peninsula called Prapat Agung. Around this peninsula there are long-distance sheltered beach and coral reefs, e.g. the small outlying island called Menjangan. The latter is a very popular dive area.
There are several long-inactive volcanoes in the protected area in the east with Mount Patas (1,412 meters) and Mount Merbuk (1,388 meters), which form the highest mountains.
Flora and Fauna
160 different bird species have been spotted in the park, including the extinct Bali Starling, Bali’s only native animal and the main reason why this national park was created in the first place. By 2001, only six Bali Starlings were around to survive in the wilderness, all of them in this park. Since then breeding in captivity and reintroduction efforts have gained pace, but poaching pressures are a major problem. In this sense, a second-counter reintroduction was launched in remote regions of Nusa Penida in 2004. Keen bird observers can find a checklist status here [1].
Mammals found in the park include Banteng, a wild cattle, from which derive the familiar Bali cows. Java Rusa and Indian Muntjac deer are also very commonly found, and Menjangan Island is in fact named after this animal (Menjangan, deer in Bahasa Indonesia). Wild boars and leopard cats are both quite common, but rarely found.
A Bali tiger (a complete subspecies of the tigers) was shot here in 1937, and despite the rumors to the contrary, this is the very last confirmed sighting of the animal as extinct since that moment.
Getting there
The park was officially recognized as an important area in 1917, and designated as a natural park. Since 1941 it is considered a national park.
Costs
- A parking fee of 25,000 IDR is due. These can be obtained either in Cekik or at the office in Labuhan Lalang.
- The cost of a guide for tours are negotiable. Approximately Rp. 50.000 to Rp. 100.000 for half a day to all day is appropriate and you will be ensured that you have not missed the best places.
Surroundings
- A parking fee of 25,000 IDR is due. These can be obtained either in Cekik or at the office in Labuhan Lalang.
- The cost of a guide for tours are negotiable. Approximately Rp. 50.000 to Rp. 100.000 for half a day to all day is appropriate and you will be ensured that you have not missed the best places.
Places of interest
The ‘Tegal Blunder Trail’ is very popular with ornithologists, and it is an easy 2 hour walk. The Ranger Checkpoint is located in the village of Slumber Klampok, about 20 minutes west of Cekik. From the same checkpoint you can take the strenuous ‘Gunung Klatakan Trail’ to the southeast. This one is more difficult to walk and takes about five hours, but it takes you through some memorable parts of rainforest. There are other ways and possibilities for interesting hikes, but these are the two most popular and the easiest ones. Ask for other options of guided tours at the time, especially those that go more deep into the Prapat Agung peninsula.
The uninhabited ‘Menjangan Island’ is a must-see for any visitor to Bali interested in marine life, snorkeling or diving. Boats depart from the beach in Labuan Lalang on the northern edge of Teluk Terima Bay, and can be chartered on the day. Groups of tourists often join together in Labuan Lalang in the morning exactly for this purpose. Each boat charter must be accompanied by a guide, and you must purchase an authorization (Rp 25.000 per person) from the National Park office in the main Labuhan Lalang parking lot. Many of Bali’s diving bases are based in the southern tourism regions offer diving trips specifically to Menjangan. The snorkeling here is probably the best on Bali with good clear water and a calm sea.
There is a remarkable temple on Menjangan called ‘Puri Gili Kencana’ which is certainly worth a visit. You can walk around the entire Menjangan in about 1 hour and 15 minutes by foot. Take it slower if you want to absorb all the natural coastal protected beauty.
‘Gilimanuk Bay’ snakes in the southwestern tip of the Prapat Agung peninsula and the park management arranges a guided boat trip for you in a traditional outrigger. Expect to pay approximately Rp 300.000 per hour including guide. The bay is quiet and supports a rich diverstity of marine life. There are some notable areas of mangrove forest fringing the bay, and these act as a natural nursery for the most diverse fish life in the region.
- Apparently there is no water to buy within the park, so bring enough water yourself
- Camping is not allowed within the national park
Contact
Balai Taman Nasional Bali Barat
Jl. Raya Cekik-Gilimanuk Jembrana, BALI 82253
Phone: +62365 61060
Fax: +62365 61479
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.tnbalibarat.com
