TANGKOKO NATIONAL PARK TOUR
(Excursion: departure only from Mapia Resort)Do you want to get the feeling of being united with nature? Tangkoko National Park will give you that feeling.
Located near Batu Putih village, it is the home of the smallest primate in the world: Tangkasi (Tarsius Spectrum). It is also the home of approximately 328 bird species, of which 47 are endemic, as well as typical Sulawesi protected animals such as the Black Macaca Monkey (Macaca nigra), the Hornbill, the Cuscus and the Maleo Bird (Macrocephalon maleo).
Also found in this park is the Bitung tree (Barringtonia asiatica) whence
the name of the city is taken, and a full range of floral communities, including
mangrove, beach, lowland, submontane and elfin cloud forests. Due in part
to its history of geographic isolation, Sulawesi has evolved a number of
birds and mammals unique to the island.
The Tangkoko National Park provides one of the last refuges in North Sulawesi
for several of these unique species and is therefore an extremely important
conservation region.
It comprises an area of 8,718 Ha. The park boundary runs from the sea to an altitude of 1351m, providing trails from beach forest through gently sloping lowland forest and on up to cloud forests that cling to the edges of volcanic calderas. The reserve contains three volcanoes; the mountain Tangkoko (1149 m), the ash cone of Batuangus which results from an eruption in 1839, and the twin peaks of Dua Saudara (1351 m). The ash cone of Batuangus is almost bare of vegetation and has a lava flow that extends to the sea. Where the lava flow meets the sea, a collapsed tunnel has formed a 400 m long cove that contains coral formations and the only mangrove habitat in the reserve.
During hornbill breeding season your guide can show you several nest sites along the trail. One particularly dramatic fig tree known as the 'Beringin Lobang' (hole of tree Ficus benyamina) is located on our trail. The host tree of this strangler died and rotted long ago. The fig remains as a free-standing tree with its hollow interior mirroring the form of the original host.
An easy and enjoyable trip to explore the spectacular jungle with excellent possibilities to see the unique tiny “Tarsius”, the Black Macaca, the Hornbill bird and the Cuscus.
Departure from Mapia Resort at 11 am heading for Batu Putih village in the East of Bitung region where the Tangkoko National Nature Reserve is located. After a drive of 2 hours we reach the National Park, where the park rangers guide us. Your lunch box is prepared in our restaurant.
Duration: 7-9 hours
Price: € 50,- p/p (minimum 4 persons) (High Season € 55,-)
