National park · Indonesia
Bukit Barisan Selatan National ParkTaman Nasional Bukit Barisan Selatan
Enter the park for a day: pay the entry fee (check) and walk a short coastal path (2‑3 h) in the dry season, or plan a multi‑day trek (4‑5 d) with a guide in cooler months; avoid the rainy season (Nov‑Mar).
- 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.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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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
3,568 km² (1,378 sq mi)1,378 sq mi (3,568 km²)
approximate
Established
1982
Best months
—
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 8Drug 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.
- Sumatra ↗Aceh applies sharia-influenced rules: modest dress, no alcohol sold in most places.
- Sumatra ↗Do not drive the Trans-Sumatran Highway after dark; sharp curves are poorly signed and roadside theft is reported.
At a glance
- Country
- Indonesia
- Area
- 3,568 km² (1,378 sq mi)1,378 sq mi (3,568 km²)
- Official area is 3,568 km²; some sources split land and sea components, but the total remains consistent (check).
- Established
- 1982
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- For some areas
Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park spans Lampung, Bengkulu and South Sumatra, protecting lowland rainforest, coastal cliffs and endangered Sumatran wildlife as part of the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra World Heritage site.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2004Part of Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra.
Size and age
3,568 km² (1,378 sq mi)1,378 sq mi (3,568 km²) · national park since 1982
Official area is 3,568 km²; some sources split land and sea components, but the total remains consistent (check).
Why go
- Large rainforest with endangered Sumatran wildlife.
- Coastal cliffs and inland hills offer varied hiking.
- Part of a UNESCO World Heritage network.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanRainy season, trails muddy.
- FebRainy season.
- MarRainy season.
- AprStart of dry season.
- MayDry, cooler.
- JunDry, good for trekking.
- JulDry, warm.
- AugDry, warm.
- SepDry, pleasant.
- OctDry, end of season.
- NovRain returns.
- DecRainy season.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sumatran elephantAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Sumatran tigerAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Sumatran rhinoAll 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 Any major city (e.g., Bandar Lampung, Bengkulu)
Travel by road to the park gate; check local bus or private transport schedules.
Check
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Kalianda gate | Main entry, visitor centre, short coastal trail. | Open with entry permit. |
| Sukaraja forest | Inner rainforest, longer treks, wildlife spotting. | Guided access only. |
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 are approximate centre of the park.
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 (per person) | Free | person | Check official site for current price. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guide for multi-day treks permit or guide
Camping permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without a special permit from the park authority (check).check
- Guides
- Required for any trail beyond the short coastal walk near Kalianda.
- Camping
- Permitted only in designated sites with a permit; no wild camping.
- Wildlife
- Do not feed, approach or disturb animals; maintain a safe distance.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no fires outside designated cooking areas.
Where to stay
Near the park
Kalianda guesthouses
Basic rooms, 10‑15 min from gate.
Near the park
Bengkulu city hotels
Range of budget to mid‑range options.
Safety
Heat and humidity medium
Lost on remote trails high
Rainfall landslides 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
- The Kalianda gate and visitor centre are reachable by car with short, flat walks.
- The coastal trail is mostly flat but may have uneven sections; not suitable for wheelchairs.
- Multi-day treks involve steep, muddy and remote terrain; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally‑run guesthouses.
- Hire certified guides to support community income.
- Do not feed wildlife.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park?
Entry fees are set by the park authority; check the latest price at the gate or official website.
What are the best hikes in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park?
The short coastal trail (2‑3 h) is ideal for a day visit; the multi‑day Sukaraja ridge trek offers deeper rainforest experience.
When is the best time to visit Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park?
The dry season from April to October provides the most reliable trail conditions.
Do I need a guide for any trek?
Yes, any trail beyond the coastal walk requires a licensed guide.
Are campsites allowed?
Camping is permitted only in designated sites with a permit.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park
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