|Sembilang National Park|
Sembilang National Park comprises peat swamp forest, freshwater swamp forest and riparian forest in the province of South Sumatra.
A wide variety of terrestrial and aquatic plants grow in this Park, including paku gajah (Acrostichum aureum), nipah (Nypa fruticans), cemara laut (Casuarina equisetifolia), pandan (Pandanus tectorius), waru laut (Hibiscus tiliaceus), nibung (Oncosperma tigillaria), jelutung (Dyera costulata), menggeris (Koompassia excelsa), gelam tikus (Syzygium inophylla), Rhizophora sp., Sonneratia alba, and Bruguiera gimnorrhiza.
The coastal and forest areas, particularly in Sembilang and Semenanjung Banyuasin, are a habitat for Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), Asian elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus), Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus), siamang (Hylobates syndactylus syndactylus), golden cat (Catopuma temminckii temminckii), sambar deer (Cervus unicolor equinus), saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), Sembilang fish (Plotusus canius), giant freshwater turtle (Chitra indica), freshwater dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) and various species of bird.
Huge numbers of migrant birds from Siberia can be seen in Sembilang, reaching a climax in October. The calling of thousands of birds flying in formation can even be heard over the thundering waves of the Bangka Strait.
Other bird species inhabiting this Park
include the Asian dowitcher (Limnodromus semipalmatus), spotted
greenshank (Pseudototanus guttifer), eastern white pelican (Pelecanus
onocrotalus), milky stork (Mycteria cinerea), lesser adjutant
stork (Leptoptilos javanicus), and white-winged black tern (Chlidonias
Semenanjung Banyuasin, Sembilang, Benawan Bay, Sekanak Bay, Betet Island: exploring the river and mangrove forest by boat, fishing, and watching animals, migrant birds from Siberia and freshwater dolphins.Cultural attractions outside the Park include the Krakatau Festival each July in Bandar Lampung and the Lake Ranau Festival in December in Oku, South Sumatra.
Best time of year to visit: June to August.
How to reach the Park: Palembang-Sungsang,
about 2 hours by chartered motor boat, plus another 2 hours to the location.
Office: Jl. Kolonel H. Barlian 79
Designated : Minister of Forestry, SK No.
Temperature 22° - 33° C