Nantu Forest & Bogani Nani Wartabone
- 6 Days
- Wildlife
Easy-Moderate
Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park
Bogani Nani Wartabone, a 2,871 km2 National Park on North Sulawesi. Established in 1991, it has been identified by the Wildlalonzo Life Conservation Society as the single most important site for the conservation of Sulawesi wildlife. It is home to a large number of species endemic to Sulawesi. Thtarsie special tarsier is one of the endangered species inhabiting the park.
Bogani Nani Wartabone has recorded 125 bird species, 24 mammals, and 11 reptiles. These include the endangered anoa and cinnabar hawk owl, which was only described scientifically in 1999 from a specimen collected from the park. This place also uses for Maleo breeding, an endemic animal. For instance, maleo has been bred successfully in this park, and as of February 2012. Around 3,300 birds have been released to their habitat. Hungoyono camp in Bone Bolango is the largest maleo habitat in which the conservationists have 4 breeding sites. Normally the birds need geothermal hot sand for their breeding as in Hungoyono camp. Besides maleo, the larger animals of the park are babiroussa and the Sulawesi warty pig.
Nantu Forest National Park
Previously, Nantu Forest was closed to the public and only scientists could go there. There were cases when photographers/birdwatchers intend to go there which result in difficulty to get the permits (taking months for permit arrangement). The good news is, since October 2016 this area has been open to public.
One of the five most important sites for biodiversity in South East Asia
W. Duckworth
Nantu Forest is one of the last strongholds of Sulawesi’s richness. Home to hundreds of species that are only found on Sulawesi, nowhere else on Earth. Nantu Forest is located in the heart of the Wallacea region in Gorontalo Province, northern Sulawesi, Indonesia. The 500 square kilometers of virgin Nantu forests, become a sanctuary for babiroussa, the anoa, and Macaca heck.
- After early breakfast at Gorontalo hotel.
- We drive about 4 – 5 hours to Saritani Village, the starting point to Nantu Forest.
- Arrival Saritani village, check-in at the simple guest house with basic facility.
- Lunch at a local house in Saritani Village.
- Driving 15 minutes to the starting point for trekking, passing the paved and bumpy roads, some plantation area especially corn.
- Start a 30 minutes trekking and birding, before reaching the edge of the Nantu river.
- Cross the river by walk or canoe (depend on water's debit). It takes 5 minutes to cross the river by canoe and 10 minutes walking to the post guard.
- Walk along the jungle searching for babiroussa (Pig Dear), Macaca nigra, Hornbill, Anoa and other endemic wildlife of this forest. The trekking here is wet, muddy, and slippery BUT you will be amazed by the beautiful primary tropical rain forest of Sulawesi. We highly suggest using a rubber booth instead of a trekking booth.
- In the afternoon, trekking back to Saritani village.
- Dinner and overnight at Saritani Village local house
- Very early morning after breakfast, we start to explore different spots.
- We will transfer either by car for 15 minutes.
- Then walk about 30 minutes including crossing the river to the post guard. The trekking here is mostly flat, wet, muddy, and slippery BUT you will be amazed by beautiful primary tropical rain forest of Sulawesi with many huge trees including. We highly suggest using a rubber booth instead of a trekking booth.
- We will trek along the riverside searching for Hornbill, Macaca Nigra, Deer, Snake, Anoa and other exotic endemic wildlife of this forest.
- We will walk to “Salt Lick” spotting for endemic Babiroussa (Deer Pig), Anoa (dwarf buffalo), Macaca Nigra and many others.
- In the late afternoon back to Saritani village for dinner and overnight at local house.
- Early in the morning, drive for 15 minutes for birding along the riverside.
- After lunch, heading back to Gorontalo which takes about more or less 5 hours drive or 90 km away.
- Upon arrival in Gorontalo check-in at Magna Hotel 4**** or similar.
- Dinner at your personal account.
- Early breakfast at the hotel.
- Check out, drive about 1 hour to Hungayono Sanctuary Breeding Place for endemic Maleo Bird inside Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park.
- Then drive about 15 – 20 minutes by motorcycle as the road is too narrow for a car.
- Upon arrival in the gate of starting point Bogani Nani Warta Bone National Park, trekking about 1 hour to the ranger post. During trekking, we may see Tarsius inside the bamboo tree or other wildlife such as Macaca Nigra and many birds including the endemic Dwarf King Fisher. The trek here is hilly and surrounded by beautiful tropical rain forests. Fullday wildlife observation.
- Stay overnight at the campsite inside the park.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Early morning wake up.
- Trek to the Maleo Site where they lay their egg along the riverside.
- If you are lucky you have a chance for releasing the maleo baby if they already hatching.
- Continue observing wildlife to see Macaca Nigra, Sulawesi Hornbill, another endemic bird of Sulawesi such as Dwarf Hornbill and many others.
- Lunch provided by our guide team.
- After lunch, trekking back to the starting point about 1 – 2 hours before continuing by motorcycle about 15 minutes away and car for a one-hour drive.
- Upon arrival in Gorontalo check-in at Magna Hotel 4* or similar
- Dinner at your personal account (B, L)
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Transfer to the airport for your next destination.
