Way Kambas National Park

Way Kambas National Park is a protected conservation area in East Lampung Regency, Lampung Province, on the southeastern tip of Sumatra, Indonesia. Covering approximately 1,300 square kilometers of lowland swamp forest, grassland and coastal forest, it is internationally known as a sanctuary for the critically endangered Sumatran elephant. Established as a game reserve in 1937 and declared a national park in 1989, it also protects Sumatran rhinoceros, tiger and diverse birdlife.

Visitors can expect a lowland tropical forest landscape of swamp forests, grasslands, rivers and coastal areas in southeastern Sumatra. The main focus is the Sumatran Elephant Conservation Centre where visitors can observe elephants, learn about conservation and rehabilitation programs, and see trained elephants under ranger supervision. The park offers guided forest treks, birdwatching, river views along the Way Kambas and Way Kanan rivers, and a visitor centre with information on flora and fauna. Facilities are basic and exploration is typically with a guide.

Originally established as a game reserve by the Dutch colonial administration in 1937 to protect lowland forest wildlife. The Sumatran Elephant Training Centre was established in 1985 for elephant conservation and human-elephant conflict mitigation. The area was declared Way Kambas National Park in 1989 and is managed by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of Indonesia.

The park is a nationally important centre for conservation of the Sumatran elephant, an animal with cultural significance in Lampung and Sumatra, and serves as an educational and research site for wildlife conservation and community-based elephant management.