National park · Indonesia
Way Kambas National Park
Enter Way Kambas for a half‑day elephant‑school visit (entry IDR 10,000, 30 min walk) or a full‑day jungle trek (guide required, 6 h, start early in May–Oct).
- 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
1,256 km² (485 sq mi)485 sq mi (1,256 km²)
approximate
Established
1999
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
- 1,256 km² (485 sq mi)485 sq mi (1,256 km²)
- Park covers about 1,256 km² (≈125,631 ha) as defined by the 1999 decree; figures may vary slightly in different sources.
- Established
- 1999
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Bandar Lampung
Way Kambas National Park protects low‑land dipterocarp forest and savannah in Lampung, home to Sumatran elephants, tapirs, tigers and a visitor‑friendly elephant school where rides and shows are offered. The park offers guided jungle treks to see wildlife and bird‑watching walks, but most areas require a licensed guide.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1999.
Size and age
1,256 km² (485 sq mi)485 sq mi (1,256 km²) · national park since 1999
Park covers about 1,256 km² (≈125,631 ha) as defined by the 1999 decree; figures may vary slightly in different sources.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Bandar Lampung.
Why go
- Elephant school with rides and shows.
- Tropical rainforest trekking to see tapir, elephants and gibbons.
- Bird‑watching in a low‑land dipterocarp forest.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanRainy, trails slippery
- FebRainy, high humidity
- MarRainy, occasional floods
- AprTransition, less rain
- MayDry, cooler mornings
- JunDry, good wildlife spotting
- JulDry, warm
- AugDry, peak visitor season
- SepDry, less heat
- OctStart of rains, still good
- NovRain increases
- DecRainy, trails muddy
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sumatran elephant (trained)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Sumatran tapirAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Malayan sun bearAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Bengal tiger (rare sightings)All 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
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Elephant school area | Show arena, ride tracks, visitor centre. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Main forest zone | Trails for bird‑watching and jungle trekking. | Guided access only. |
| Riverside camp sites | Designated spots for day picnics. | No overnight camping allowed. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 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 are approximate centre of the park; exact trailheads may vary.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (general) | IDR 10,000–15,000 (≈ under US$1) | person | Covers access to visitor centre and short trails |
| Elephant school show | IDR 50,000–80,000 (≈ US$4–5) | person | Includes ride and performance |
| Guided jungle trek (full day) | IDR 250,000–350,000 (≈ US$16–25) | person | Guide, transport, basic lunch |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided trek permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- Rp10,000–15,000≈ under US$1
- Rp50,000–80,000≈ US$4–5
- Rp250,000–350,000≈ US$16–25
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any trek beyond the elephant school area.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the park; use homestays in nearby villages.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use portable stoves only.
- Wildlife interaction
- Do not feed or approach elephants or other animals.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins at visitor centre.
Where to stay
Near the park
Gunung Agung hamlet homestays
Simple rooms run by local families, basic meals.
Near the park
Bandar Lampung
Hotels and guesthouses 30 km (19 mi) from the park gate.Hotels and guesthouses 19 mi (30 km) from the park gate.
Safety
Elephant incidents medium
Lost on trail high
Heat 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
- Visitor centre and elephant school reachable by car with short paved walks.
- Longer jungle trails not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Support homestays that use local produce.
- Choose guides certified by the park authority.
- Do not purchase souvenirs made from wildlife parts.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Way Kambas National Park?
General entry is IDR 10,000–15,000 per person; the elephant‑school show adds IDR 50,000–80,000. A full‑day guided trek costs about IDR 250,000–350,000.
What are the best hikes in Way Kambas National Park?
The popular guided trek to Tapir Ridge (5–6 h, moderate) and the early‑morning bird‑watching walk near the visitor centre are the main options.
When is the best time to visit Way Kambas National Park?
May to August offers the driest conditions and cooler mornings, ideal for trekking and wildlife spotting.
Can I camp inside Way Kambas?
No. Overnight camping is prohibited; stay in nearby homestays or in Bandar Lampung.
Is a guide required for the elephant school visit?
No, the elephant school is open to all visitors with an entry ticket; a guide is only needed for jungle treks.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Way Kambas National Park
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