Day 1. Jakarta – Laban – Karang Ranjang – Cikeusik/Citadahan
You will be picked up at 05.00 a.m. at the hotel in Jakarta, then we will go to the border of Ujung Kulon. Arrive at the border of Ujung Kulon, we continue by boat to Laban, at Laban we start trekking to the Javan Rhinos spot at Cikeusik camp site, arrive at Cikeusik around in the evening.
Note: we will stay at Cikeusik river for 3 nights, and if there is no sign for rhino, we will move to Citadahan.
Day 2 – 4. Focus to Javan Rhino Expedition at Cikeusik River
Today, we will explore the forest as we search for the Javan rhino, we will rise early each morning as we aim to find a rhino as they use the river to bath and browse on the semi aquatic vegetation. In the past this has been one of the most fruitful ways to find and see the rhino, by using a couple of canoes we will silently paddle up and down stretches of the Cikuesik River and possibly other rivers nearby for a while, hope that we see the rhino.
We will go back to the camp for breakfast and then plan the next course of action, we will probably look to cruise the rivers at dawn and dusk and also have the opportunity to set up hides overlooking some of the wallows that the rhinos like to use. This is an option for anyone wishing to do this and of course we can hike around to try and find fresh evidence of the rhinos as they move through the forest.
As mentioned, this is just an overview of what is possible and the exact day by day plan will change and be discussed and dictated by the rhino’s movements. Alongside the rhinos, there are many other species in the park, like all tropical forests there are many species of birds, reptiles and amphibians. Mammals wise there are Javan gibbons and ebony lutung (both endemic to Java) in the trees, various squirrels around, Javan small-toothed palm civets, banteng and even leopards in the park. The leopards have a near mythical status here and the rhinos are seen a lot more often. It is also worth keeping an eye out in the rivers and sea as there are salt-water crocodiles here and so be careful when near the riverbanks and keep your hands and feet inside the canoe at all times.
Day 5 – 8. Cikeusik – Citadahan Camp Site
After earlier breakfast, we will trek to Citadahan spot. We will camp for 5 nights at Citadahan. Then we will explore the forest as we search for the Javan rhinos, we will rise early each morning as we aim to find a rhino. We will return to the camp for our meals and of course our tents for each night. The estimate hiking per day will be around 2-3 hours, however some days maybe longer and others much shorter.
Day 9. Citadahan – Cidaon Camp Site
After breakfast, we will go to Cidaon to stay overnight at the camp site. Enjoy the fresh air, rainforest and the wildlife.
Day 10. Cidaon – Border of Ujung Kulon – Jakarta
You will be picked up by a wooden boat to go back to the border of Ujung Kulon, arrive at the border of Ujung Kulon, the driver will drop you off then to the hotel or Jakarta international airport.
