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General
The almost 200,000 ha Kutai National Park lies in East Kalimantan province. The park has a stirring history.
In the early seventies an area of 300,000 ha was protected and named the Kutai Game Reserve. This protection did not prevent that one third of the forest was cut in subsequent years. Trying to prevent a further decline the Kutai National Park was established in 1982. However, great wood fires destroyed 60% of the protected forests in 1982/1983. Nowadays the forest is recovering and Kutai National Park is certainly worth a visit.
The main habitat in the park is primary and secondary tropical rainforest, although all habitats of East Kalimantan can be found. At the coast the vegetation consists of mangrove swamps, backed by freshwater swamp. Kerangas can also be found. There are a few lakes in the reserve: Danau Maau, Santan, Besar and Sirapan.
Several species of primates and probably more than 80% of the bird species of Borneo can be seen.
Access
Kutai National Park is one of the easy accessible parks on Kalimantan. You reach it from Bontang, a industry city north of Samarinda. To get to Bontang take a bus from Lempake station or take a boat from Seberang station, both in Samarinda.
At the PHPA office in Bontang you can get a permit, guides and advice about tours through the park.
Accomodation
* Bontang
o Hotel Equator
o Hotel Kutai Indah
* Kutai National Park
o Simple accomodation and meals at the PHPA posts
Trekking
Accompanied by a obligatory PHPA guide you can make several treks through the park. Inquire at the PHPA office in Bontang.
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