Bali Barat National Park

The park was founded in 1917 when Dutch authorities declared western Bali a protected area due to rare animals such as the Bali starling and tiger. In 1941, the park received the status of a national reserve, and in 1947, after Indonesia gained independence, its status was confirmed. Today it covers about 13% of the island's area.

Landscape and nature

The park is divided into tropical forests in the south, equatorial savannas in the north and a mountain range in the center, including volcanic peaks such as Mount Patas (1412 m). The Prapat Agung Peninsula and Menjangan Island are surrounded by coral reefs. Menjangan has no permanent residents, but does have several temples and a large population of Javan deer.

Animal world

The most famous resident of the park is the Balinese starling (myna). You can also see wild boars, leopard cats, Javan deer, long-tailed macaques, giant squirrels, eagles, hornbills, sea turtles, reef sharks, octopuses and many other species.

Flora

The park is rich in rare plants: salamander tree, giant myrtle, white sandalwood, Indian rosewood, wild orchids and mangrove forests. There are a total of 175 plant species, 14 of which are endangered.

Things to do

The entrance to the park is located in the village of Chekik, near Gilimanuk. The following activities are available for tourists:

• Hiking: routes of varying difficulty, from short (2 hours) to long (5-8 hours), for example, climbing Mount Klatakan.

• Boat trips: visit Menjangan Island with its temples and wildlife or explore the mangrove forests of Gilimanuk Bay.

• Diving and snorkeling: the coral reef of Menjangan or the volcanic sand of Gilimanuk with a rich underwater world.

Temples of the park

The area is home to sacred temples such as Pura Segara Rupek, Pura Teluk Terima and Pura Dang Kahyangan-Banyuwedang, which can be visited on tours.

Best time to visit

It is recommended to visit during the dry season from May to September. The park attracts tourists with its unique nature and the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of wild Indonesia.