VISITING NORTH SUMATERA
Why Bukit Lawang?
The Gunung Leuser National Park, located in North Sumatra, Indonesia, is one of Southeast Asia’s richest and most biodiverse tropical rainforests. Spanning 1,095,000 hectares, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a haven for thousands of indigenous species, including endangered wildlife such as the Sumatran Tiger, Elephant, Rhinoceros, and Orangutan. This pristine rainforest is an ecological treasure, filled with rivers, volcanoes, lakes, and breathtaking flora like the Rafflesia Arnoldi and Amorphophallus titanum, the largest flowers in the world.
A Rainforest Rich in Biodiversity
Gunung Leuser National Park is home to over 750 animal species, including 200 mammals, 580 birds, and 300 reptiles and amphibians. It’s the only place on Earth where you can find the Sumatran Tiger, Rhino, Elephant, and Orangutan living together in the wild. Among its 200 mammal species are 8 primates, such as the Thomas Leaf Monkey, White-Handed Gibbon, and Slow Loris. The rainforest also boasts an astounding 10,000 plant species, creating one of the most complex ecosystems on the planet.
Bukit Lawang: A Gateway to Conservation
Bukit Lawang offers a unique opportunity to experience the rainforest while supporting its preservation. As a model for ecotourism, the village demonstrates how responsible tourism can positively impact local communities and the environment. When locals benefit from sustainable tourism, their commitment to protecting the rainforest increases, reducing forest crimes and helping to preserve this global treasure. By visiting Bukit Lawang, you’re directly contributing to the conservation of the rainforest and its incredible biodiversity.
A Forest Under Threat
Despite its significance, the Gunung Leuser National Park faces immense challenges. The forest is endangered by palm oil plantations, illegal logging, and poaching. With 51 square kilometers of rainforest destroyed daily—an equivalent of 300 football fields every hour—Indonesia’s deforestation rate threatens the survival of countless species. Efforts are underway to conserve this natural wonder, but the ecosystem remains fragile, and the need for sustainable ecotourism is critical.
Meet the Sumatran Orangutans
The Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii), nicknamed the “people of the forest,” shares 96.5% of its DNA with humans. This critically endangered species is found only in the Gunung Leuser National Park, with fewer than 6,500 individuals remaining in the wild. Unlike other primates, orangutans live solitary lives, meeting only during mating season. Females give birth to just three babies in their lifetime, making their population recovery incredibly slow.
Orangutans build new nests daily, traversing several kilometers in search of food like fruits, leaves, and insects. Males grow up to 1.4 meters tall and weigh 80 kilograms, while females are smaller, at 0.9 meters and 40 kilograms. These gentle giants have a lifespan of around 45 years in the wild.
Threats to Orangutans
Between 1973 and 1991, Bukit Lawang rehabilitated around 230 orangutans rescued from captivity, releasing them into the forest. Many now thrive in the wild, while others remain semi-wild, living close to the village.
However, Sumatran orangutans face severe threats, including:
Deforestation for palm oil plantations, leaving them homeless
Illegal logging that destroys their natural habitat
Pet trade, where mothers are killed to capture their babies
Forest fires and illegal mining, which further degrade their environment
Why Trek with Us?
Trekking in Bukit Lawang offers a chance to meet semi-wild and wild orangutans while contributing to their conservation. With expert guides, you’ll explore the rainforest responsibly, learning about the delicate ecosystem and the incredible creatures that call it home.