Way Kambas National Park

Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia

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Way Kambas National Park, located in Lampung Province at the southeastern tip of Sumatra, Indonesia, is a vital sanctuary for some of the world’s most endangered wildlife. Spanning approximately 1,300 square kilometers, the park is a mosaic of lowland rainforests, swamp forests, grasslands, and coastal ecosystems.

It was officially designated a national park in 1989, though its roots as a protected area date back to 1937 under Dutch colonial administration. The park is perhaps best known for its role in conserving the critically endangered Sumatran rhinoceros, elephant, and tiger, all of which find refuge within its dense forests and wetlands. The park’s biodiversity is staggering.

It harbors over 50 species of mammals, including the elusive Malayan tapir, clouded leopard, and sun bear, as well as more than 400 species of birds, such as the white-winged wood duck, Storm’s stork, and rhinoceros hornbill. Reptiles like the endangered false gharial crocodile also inhabit its waterways. The park’s varied habitats—from mangroves and peat swamps to riverine forests—support this rich array of life, making it one of Southeast Asia’s most important conservation areas.

Way Kambas is also home to two major conservation centers: the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary and the Elephant Conservation Centre. The rhino sanctuary, established to breed and protect the dwindling population of Sumatran rhinos, has seen several successful births in semi-wild conditions, offering hope for the species’ survival. The Elephant Conservation Centre, meanwhile, works to manage human-elephant conflict, train elephants for patrol and ecotourism, and provide veterinary care.

These centers are not open to the general public but play a crucial role in research, education, and species recovery.