START / END: GORONTALO, NORTH SULAWESI 

To reach Gorontalo, there is a direct flight by Batik Air from Jakarta ( 3 hours ), but from Bali, you have to transit at Makassar. After Bogani Nani and Nantu Forest tour, you can explore Tangkoko National Park in Manado ( 40 minutes flight by Wings Air

 

BOGANI NANI WARTABONE NATIONAL PARK

 

Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park is a 2,871 km2 (1,108 mi2) National Park on Minahassa Peninsula on Sulawesi island, Indonesia. Formerly known as Dumoga Bone National Park, it was established in 1991 and was renamed in honor of Nani Wartabone, a local resistance fighter who drove the Japanese from Gorontalo during World War II. The park has been identified by Wildlife Conservation Society as the single most important site for the conservation of Sulawesi wildlife and is home to a large number of species endemic to Sulawesi.

 

Common plant species in the park are Piper aduncum, Trema Orientalis, Macaranga species, and various orchids. Endangered plants in the park include the matayangan palm (Pholidocarpus ihur), Makassar Ebony, ironwood (Intsia spp.), yellowwood (Arcangelisia Flava), and carrion flower (Amorphophallus Campanulatus).

 

The spectral tarsier is one of the endangered species inhabiting the park. In the park,  there have been recorded 24 mammals, 11 reptiles and 125 bird species. These include the endangered anoa and cinnabar hawk owl, which was only described scientifically in 1999 from a specimen collected from the park. Among the larger animals of the park are babirusas and the Sulawesi warty pig. This place also uses for Maleo breeding. The maleo megapode is endemic to the island and is the park's mascot Maleo birds have been bred successfully in this park, and as per February 2012, about 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.

 

NANTU FOREST NATURE RESERVE

Nantu Forest is one of the last strongholds for Sulawesi’s richness. Healthy air and healthy water for the people around Nantu Forest, unequaled wealth in wildlife. 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. Wallacea is the wildlife transition zone between Asia and Australia. Nantu Forest consists of Nantu Wildlife Reserve (Suaka Margasatwa, 33.023 ha), Protection Forest (19.606 ha) and Production Forest (10.002 ha). In other words; 500 square kilometers of virgin rainforest. Nantu forests, specifically, become a sanctuary for babirusa, anoa and Macaca heck. 

BOGANI NANI WARTABONE TOUR ITINERARY

 

DAY 01. GORONTALO – WONOSARI VILLAGE – SARI TANI VILLAGE - NANTU FOREST NATURE RESERVE

Early breakfast.

Drive to Saritani Village (starting point to reach Nantu Forest), about 90 km away or 4 – 5 hours passing the paved and bumpy roads, some plantation area especially corn. There is 2 alternative way to reach Saritani Village. You can drive about 4 – 5 hours to Wonosari Village then continue the trip by 45 minutes by a motorcycle or just using 4 wheel drive straight to Saritani Village that could be faster.

Upon arrival in Saritani village check-in at the simple guest house with BASIC facility. Lunch on the way or at the village.

After lunch,  the ranger will brief you about the program, then we can start trekking around the village for bird watching or straight to the Nantu Forest.  We will pass by motorcycle or car (depend on what vehicle you use to reach here) about 5 minutes away and ended at Palm Oil Plantation, then keep walking passing palm oil plantation, corn plantation before reaching the edge of Nantu river.

Cross the river by walk or use the canoe. It takes about more or less 30 minutes away from the starting point until reaching the post guard. After registering the permit then we will walk along the jungle searching for baby Roussa (Pig Dear), Macaca nigra, Hornbill, Anoa and other endemic wildlife of this forest. FYI, the trekking here is  wet, muddy, and slippery BUT you will  be amazed with beautiful primary tropical rain forest of Sulawesi. We highly suggest using a rubber booth instead of trekking booth. Back to the village for dinner and overnight.

 

DAY 02: WONOSARI VILLAGE – NANTU FOREST NATURE RESERVE

Very early morning wake up and light breakfast then we start to explore different spots. We will transfer either by car or motorcycle for 5 minutes then walk about 30 minutes including crossing the river to the post guard for register. FYI, the trekking here is mostly flat, wet, muddy, and slippery BUT you will be amazed at beautiful primary tropical rain forest of Sulawesi with many huge trees including. We highly suggest using a rubber booth instead of trekking booth. Then we will be trekking along the riverside searching for Hornbill, Macaca Nigra, Deer, Snake, Anoa and other exotic endemic wildlife of this forest. Then we will walk to “Salt Lick” spotting for endemic Babi Rusa (Deer Pig), Anoa (dwarf buffalo), Macaca Nigra and many others. Simple provide lunch in the jungle.  In the late afternoon back to the village for dinner and overnight.

 

DAY 03: EARLY MORNING BIRDING AND WILDLIFE SPOT – PREPARATION FOR CHECK OUT – GORONTALO

Early in the morning another chance for spotting the wildlife such as more Macaca Nigra normally stay along the riverside or birding in the village.  FYI, the trekking here is wet, muddy, and slippery. We highly suggest using a rubber booth instead of a trekking booth. Breakfast and lunch at the village,  packing before heading back to Gorontalo that takes about more or less 5 hours drive or 90 km away. Upon arrival in Gorontalo check-in at Magna Hotel 4**** or similar hotel. Dinner at your personal account.

 

DAY 04: GORONTALO – HUNGOYONO (BOGANI NANI WARTABONE NATIONAL PARK)

After breakfast then we check out drive about 1 hour to Hungayono Sanctuary Breeding Place for endemic Maleo Bird inside Nani Wartabone National Park. Then we continue the drive about 15 – 20  minutes by motorcycle as the road is too narrow to be passed by a  car.  Upon arrival in the gate of starting point Nani Warta Bone National Park, accompanied by the ranger and our guide team trekking about 1 hour to the ranger post. On the way during the 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. We will stay at the campsite inside the park. Lunch and dinner provided by our guide team. We will use the day for animal observation. Stay overnight at the camping site. (B, L, D) \

 

DAY 05: HUNGOYONO - BOGANI NANI WARTABONE NATIONAL PARK JUNGLE TREK – GORONTALO

Early morning wake up and we will trek to the Maleo Site where they lay their egg along the riverside. Then if you are so lucky you have a chance for releasing the maleo baby if they already hatching.  Then continue observing wildlife to see more chance for Macaca Nigra, Sulawesi Hornbill, other endemic birds of Sulawesi such as Dwarf Hornbill and many others. Lunch provided by our guide team. In the afternoon after lunch packing and trekking back to the starting point about 1 – 2 hours before continuing by motorcycle about 15 minutes away and car for a 1-hour drive. Upon arrival in Gorontalo check-in at Magna Hotel 4* or similar hotel for overnight. Dinner at your personal account (B, L)

 

DAY 06: GORONTALO TOUR - NEXT DESTINATION

Breakfast at the hotel
Optional tour:  snorkeling with the whale shark 
Transfer to the airport

End of Services 

 

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