Primate Watching

 

Seeing this Species

 

Just like most other leaf monkeys (Presbytis, Semnopithecus, Trachypithecus), Javan Langurs are shy and rather elusive. By the time you hear them crashing through the forest, they are already long gone before you could catch a glimpse. Lots of patience is needed. Stay and wait for them to come to you. 

 

There are five non-human primates that can only be found in Java: Javan Slow Loris, Javan Langur, West Javan Langur, East Javan Langur, and Javan Gibbon. Mount Halimun Salak can be considered as one of the best places to see four of them!

 

Mount Halimun Salak National Park, Java, Indonesia 

Sundanese for "The Mountains of the Mist", Mount Halimun Salak National Park preserves Java's largest remaining rainforest, ranging from 500m to nearly 2,000m above sea level.

 

From the capital Jakarta, it takes approximately 6 hours to reach the national park. There's plenty to see once you exit the busy traffic of the city, going through narrow strips of vibrant towns and winding stone-clad roads, and into the mist-shrouded mountains. We went with two local bird-watching good friends and shared a rental car (with a driver, see Local contacts below) which was relatively inexpensive. You may also go with bus or train towards Bogor, and then minibus (locally known as angkot) to Cigudeg. Lastly, hail a motorcycle taxi (ojek) to the national park entrance. The charm of Mount Halimun Salak lies in its remoteness, which also means that the roads are rough and getting there on your own may not be easy.       

 

There are two entrances: Cikaniki and Citalahab. We went to the Cikaniki research station, which also provides accommodation (with kitchen, so you may cook here!). In fact, the 3.8km footpath that connects Cikaniki and Citalahab is a wonderful spot for primate watching. The park director and rangers were extremely friendly and provide free maps.

 

A few fees to note (click to enlarge):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Probability of success: ◆ ◆ ◇ ◇ ◇

 

Overlapping species:

• Javan Gibbon (Hylobates moloch)

• Long-tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis fascicularis)

• Javan Slow Loris (Nycticebus javanicus)

• West Javan Langur (Trachypithecus mauritius)

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Other sites:

Gunung Gede Nature Reserve, Java, Indonesia

I have yet to visit this nature reserve.

More information can be found at their official site.

 

Overlapping species:

• Javan Gibbon (Hylobates moloch)

• Long-tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis fascicularis)

• Javan Slow Loris (Nycticebus javanicus)

• West Javan Langur (Trachypithecus mauritius)