National park · Indonesia
Tangkoko Nature ReserveTaman Nasional Tangkoko
Visit Tangkoko for a half‑day tarsier walk (enter before dusk, 30 min hike) or a full‑day trek to see macaques and birds; go May‑Oct for drier trails, avoid rainy season.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
87 km² (34 sq mi)34 sq mi (87 km²)
approximate
Established
1919
Best months
May–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Indonesia ↗Buy the visa on arrival or e-visa only on the official Immigration portal; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Indonesia ↗Complete the All Indonesia digital arrival and customs form before landing; it is free.
- Indonesia ↗Foreign visitors to Bali pay a one-off tourist levy; keep the payment proof on your phone.
- Indonesia ↗Riding a motorbike needs a valid licence that covers motorbikes (an international permit alongside your own) and a helmet; check your insurance covers it.
At a glance
- Country
- Indonesia
- Area
- 87 km² (34 sq mi)34 sq mi (87 km²)
- Officially 8 718 ha (≈87 km²); some sources split the reserve into Batuangus and Batuputih sections, so the exact figure may vary.
- Established
- 1919
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Manado
Tangkoko Nature Reserve protects the northern tip of Sulawesi’s forested hills, home to the world’s smallest primate, the tarsier, as well as endemic macaques, maleo birds and distinct marsupials; guided walks are required to see wildlife safely.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1919.
Size and age
87 km² (34 sq mi)34 sq mi (87 km²) · national park since 1919
Officially 8 718 ha (≈87 km²); some sources split the reserve into Batuangus and Batuputih sections, so the exact figure may vary.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Manado.
Why go
- Spot the world’s smallest primate, the tarsier, at night.
- See black‑tailed macaques, maleo birds and endemic marsupials.
- Walk through rolling hills and valleys of hardwood forest.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanRainy, trails muddy (check).
- FebRainy season continues.
- MarRainfall still high.
- AprTransition to drier months.
- MayDry, good visibility for wildlife.
- JunDry, cooler mornings.
- JulDry, ideal for trekking.
- AugDry, low humidity.
- SepDry, still warm.
- OctStart of rains, still okay.
- NovRain increases.
- DecRainy season resumes.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tarsier (Tarsius tarsier)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Black‑tailed macaqueAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Maleo birdAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Manado
Private car or tour bus (≈1–2 h) to the park gate; public Angkot (Rp 10 000) to Bitung then transfer to pick‑up truck (Rp 10 000).
1–2 h
Open the page →
From Bitung
Hire a car or join a tour; road to the gate is about 50 km (31 mi).Hire a car or join a tour; road to the gate is about 31 mi (50 km).
≈1 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Batu Putih entrance | Gate, visitor centre, short forest trails to tarsier viewing point. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Dua Saudara area | Rolling hills, hardwood forest, wildlife spotting routes. | Guided walks recommended. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates centred on the park gate; village point approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry ticket | IDR 50,000 (≈ US$4) | person | official fee (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for night tarsier walk and any trek beyond the entrance area.
- Torches
- Use red‑light only; no flash photography.
- Camping
- Not allowed in the forest; stay in local losmen or homestays.
Where to stay
Near the park
Losmen guesthouses
Simple rooms, basic meals.
Near the park
Homestays in village
Family‑run, traditional food.
Safety
Night navigation medium
Rain‑induced mud medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Entrance area reachable by car; short walks are flat.
- Longer treks involve uneven terrain, not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Do not feed wildlife; keep distance.
- Support local homestays and buy food locally.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Tangkoko Nature Reserve?
The entry ticket is about IDR 50,000 per person (check official price).
What are the best hikes in Tangkoko Nature Reserve?
Night tarsier walk (30 min) and the daytime macaque‑bird trek (3–4 h) are the main marked routes.
When is the best time to visit Tangkoko Nature Reserve?
May to October offers the driest conditions and clearer wildlife spotting.
Do I need a guide?
Yes, for any night walk and for treks beyond the entrance area; guides are mandatory.
Are there accommodations inside the reserve?
No camping is allowed; stay in nearby losmen or village homestays.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Tangkoko Nature Reserve
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