Rawa Aopa Watumohai National Park
Rawa Aopa Watumohai National Park comprises sub-montane rain
forest, mangrove forest, coastal forest, savanna, and freshwater
swamp forest ecosystems.
The savanna vegetation of this Park is unique, being a combination
of grassy plains with fan palms, thorny bamboo, bushes and other
plants growing along the rivers that flow through the savanna.
There is a remarkable variety of plants in this Park. It has been
recorded that there are at least 89 families, 257 genera, and 323
species of plant such as lara (Metrosideros petiolata), sisio (Cratoxylum
formosum), kalapi (Callicarpa celebica), tongke (Bruguiera
gimnorrhiza), fan palm (Borassus flabellifer), and lotus (Victoria
sp.).
Various species of bird also inhabit the Park: 155 species have been
recorded, of which 32 are endangered and 37 are endemic. Those 155
bird species include the maleo fowl (Macrocephalon maleo), lesser
adjutant stork (Leptoptilos javanicus), woolly-necked stork (Ciconia
episcopus episcopus), collared kingfisher (Halcyon chloris chloris),
sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita triton), vinous-breasted
sparrowhawk (Accipiter rhodogaster rhodogaster), Sulawesi black
pigeon (Turacoena manadensis), and Nicobar pigeon (Caloenas
nicobarica).
The eastern tarsier (Tarsius spectrum spectrum) and black-crested
macaque (Macaca nigra nigra) are among the primate species to be
found here. Endangered and protected animals in the Park include
lowland anoa (Bubalus depressicornis), mountain anoa (B. quarlesi),
water-hagedis dragon (Hydrosaurus amboinensis), small cuscus (Strigocuscus
celebensis celebensis), Timor deer (Cervus timorensis djonga),
Sulawesi palm civets (Macrogalidia musschenbroekii
musschenbroekii), and babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa celebensis).
Interesting locations/attractions:
Pulau Harapan II: located in the centre of Rawa Aopa, a good
place for viewing the natural panorama of the swamp and watching
water fowl spy on fish, and boating.
Lanuwulu Beach: travelling downriver by boat to the beach, mangrove
forest, swimming and marine tours.
Mt. Watumohai: climbing and camping. On the slopes of the mountain,
there is a savanna plain where hundreds of deer can be seen grazing,
along with other animals and birds.
A cultural attraction outside the Park is the Tolaki Festival, held
in Kendari in December.
Best time of year to visit: June to October.
How to reach the Park: Kendari-Lambuya-Aopa-Lanowulu by car, 4 hours
(" 145 km); or Kendari-Punggaluku-Tinanggea-Lanowulu by car, 2.5
hours (" 120 km); or Kendari-Motaha-Tinanggea-Lanowulu by car, 3
hours (" 130 km).
Declared : Minister of Forestry, in 1989,
a total area of 96,804 hectares
Designated : Minister of Forestry SK.No.756/Kpts-II/90,
a total area of 105,194 hectares
Location : Regencies; Kendari, Buton, Kolaka (Province of Southeast
Sulawesi)
Temperature 23° - 30° C
Rainfall 1,500 - 2,000 mm/year
Altitude 0 - 981 m asl.
Geographical location 121°46' - 122°09' E; 4°00' - 4°36' S
Park Office: Lanowulu, Tinanggea
Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi
Tel./Fax. : +62-408-21377
Related resources
National park in Sulawesi:
- National Parks in Indonesia
- Bunaken National Park - Manado
- Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park - Kotamobagu, North Sulawesi
- Lore Lindu National Park - Palu, Central Sulawesi
- Taka Bonerate National Park - Selayar, South Sulawesi
- Wakatobi National park - Buton, Southeast Sulawesi
