Manusela National Park, Maluku Islands, Indonesia

4WiwidSaja 5:00 PM Jul 24, 2015

National Park for people and biodiversity
This is one of greatest national park in eastern Indonesia. It is located in the central of Seram Island, Mollucas, Indonesia. I travel many times here for research and work. I just passed this natural forest by car, never been stayed for couples days. I have limited times in the field. Manusela National Park can be accessed from Ambon, the capital of Mollucas Province. From Ambon we have to go to Natsepa harbor and go to to Seram Island by speedboat for one-half hours. The Seram Island harbor located in Amahai village, in Central Maluku District. Need four hours to arrived at the gate of Manusela National Park. The more I like when I passed Manusela National Park is we could feel the fresh air, enjoy the nature. When we pass it in evening, we can see the thin cloud over the road. We can hear bird singing or other species sound around. We have to driving car carefully because there are no such lighting here. In the northern of national park we can meet local people in many kampongs. They live in the coastal area. Most of them are fishermen. They are still protect the forest, even national park, through their traditional ways. They are believe forest gives them a lot of benefits over their life. There are interdependency between people and forest in Manusela National Park. I miss to come here again. My work was ended by 2014. May you bring me here again? :)

5nadiaz_11 5:00 PM Mar 26, 2018

Fantastic jungle to see endangered parrot species and trek
This is one of the last home for Molluccas Cockatoo and other endangered parrots. You can see and hear them while trekking on the beautiful dense rainforest crossing rivers or climbing mountains. I recommend to contact a community project in Masuhilan linked to the seram parrot rehabilitation project Sony the guide is the kindest person, as is the community that will host and accompany you. Sony speaks broken english and will pick you up right from your ferry and negotiate the best transport fares for you. I wouldn't think going on your own in Seram if you don't speak Bahasa. And even if you do, guide like Sony can really introduce you to its biodiversity. Besides by helping reconvert ex illegal traders into ecotourist guide, this is a great contribution you can make to the preservation of this unique natural capital. Avoid Seram for diving as the use of dynamite and overfishing means most corals are destroyed and besides sharks, few fishes remained. But Seram is worth visiting for the sheer opportunity to trek into Manusela park. I had a fantastic time with them and got a glimpse into village life.