Lore Lindu National Park

Lore Lindu National Park is a forested protected area in Central Sulawesi. The area of the national park is 2,180 km² and it covering both lowland and montane forests. It provides habitat to numerous rare species, including 77 bird species endemic to Sulawesi. The national park is designated as part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves. In addition to its rich wildlife, the park is also contains megaliths dating from before 1300 AD.

There are over 400 granite megaliths in the area, of which about 30 represent human forms. They are vary in size from a few centimeters to 4.5 meters. The original purpose of the megaliths is unknown. Other megaliths are in form of large pots (Kalamba) and stone plates (Tutu’na). Various archaeological studies have dated the carvings from between 3000 BC to 1300 AD.

At surrounding the park there are 117 villages, from which 62 are located on the borders of the park and one is within the park. The local population belongs to the Kaili, Kulavi and Lore ethnic groups. There are also migrants from South Sulawesi, Java and Bali.

Lore Lindu National Park stretches over multiple ecosystem types, including lowland tropical forest, sub-montane forest, montane forest, as well as sub-alpine forest at altitudes over 2,000 metres (6,600 ft). Plant species include Eucalyptus deglupta, Pterospermum celebicum, Cananga odorata, Gnetum gnemon, Castanopsis argentea, Agathis philippinensis, Phyllocladus hypophyllus, medicinal plants, and rattans.

Endemic mammals include the Tonkean Macaque (Macaca tonkeana tonkeana), North Sulawesi babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa celebensis), Pygmy Tarsier (Tarsius pumilus), Dian’s Tarsier (Tarsius dianae), Sulawesi Bear Cuscus (Ailurops ursinus furvus), Sulawesi Dwarf Cuscus (Strigocuscus celebensis callenfelsi) and Sulawesi rat (Rattus celebensis). Endemic birds include the Maleo fowl (Macrocephalon maleo), Sulawesi Palm Civet (Macrogalidia musschenbroekii musschenbroekii). Reptiles and amphibians include the gold snake (Elaphe erythrura and E. janseni) and Sulawesian Toad (Bufo celebensis). The Xenopoecilus sarasinorum fish is endemic to Lake Lindu.

Lore Lindu has been declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978. The national park was formed through the amalgamation of three existing reserves: the Lore Kalamanta Nature Reserve, the Lake Lindu Recreation and Protection Forest, and the Lore Lindu Wildlife Reserve.

To reach Lore Lindu National Park we can use private car. If you start the trip from Palu we can seek direction to Tantena City that can be taken during 7-9 hour drive. From Tantena to the Bada Valley is can be reached during 3 hours trip. It is advisable to use private car with good condition because the access road when it raining will be muddy.