Sumatra’s national parks offer some of the most raw and remote wildlife experiences in Asia. In Gunung Leuser, you’ll trek through dense rainforest home to one of the last viable populations of wild orangutans. It’s also the only place on Earth where tigers, elephants, rhinos and orangutans coexist. The landscapes are as rich as the biodiversity: tangled jungles, fruiting trees, river canyons and mountainous peaks, alive with the call of hornbills and the rustle of flying lizards.
In the southeast, Way Kambas is one of Indonesia’s oldest reserves, where you can visit the sanctuary protecting the critically endangered Sumatran rhino. Further west, the vast Kerinci Seblat is known for its challenging treks and hidden species like the clouded leopard and sun bear. Trek to the top of Gunung Kerinci for views over alpine lakes, or take a night safari to glimpse elusive nocturnal creatures. These parks aren’t easy to reach—but for those with a wild streak, they’re unforgettable.
