Ujung Kulon National Park

Ujung Kulon National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage national park at the southwestern tip of Java in Pandeglang Regency, Banten Province, Indonesia. Encompassing lowland rainforest, mangroves, beaches and offshore islands including Peucang and Panaitan, it is the last natural habitat of the critically endangered Javan rhinoceros. Formed after the 1883 Krakatoa eruption, the park protects diverse wildlife and marine ecosystems and is accessed primarily by boat from the mainland.

Visitors can expect a remote lowland rainforest and coastal landscape with dense jungle, mangroves, white-sand beaches and offshore islands. Access is mainly by boat from Sumur, Tamanjaya or Carita. Areas open to visitors include Peucang Island, Handeuleum Island, Cidaon grazing ground, Tanjung Layar and the southern coastline. Activities center on guided jungle trekking, wildlife and bird watching, snorkeling, canoeing and camping. Facilities are basic and a licensed guide is required.

The peninsula was depopulated and returned to forest after the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa. It was declared a nature reserve in 1921, proposed as a national park in 1980, formally established as Ujung Kulon National Park in 1992, and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991 for its outstanding natural values and as the last refuge of the Javan rhinoceros.

The park area is traditionally associated with Sundanese and Banten coastal fishing communities and is managed as a conservation and ecotourism area promoting environmental education and sustainable livelihoods for surrounding villages.