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Baluran

Mountain

Baluran National Park in East Java preserves savanna, monsoon forest and coastal habitat; visitors come for banteng sightings, birdwatching and short nature trails.

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In this guide

Baluran essentials

Address: Baluran National Park, Situbondo Regency, East Java, Indonesia
Website: balurannationalpark.com
Hours: Daily 6am-6pm
Admission: Entry fee: ~Rp 10,000 (~$0.60) for national park entrance; additional fees for safaris and vehicle permits
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About Baluran

Baluran is a national park in East Java, Indonesia, that protects a mosaic of habitats including dry lowland forest, coastal mangroves and an extensive savanna plain. The park is noted for its open grassland known as Savana Bekol and for populations of several native species.

Visitors come to see the savanna plains, wildlife such as wild cattle and deer, and the park’s coastal wetlands. Roads and simple visitor facilities provide access to lookout points over the savanna and to beach areas on the eastern side of the park.

Baluran was established to protect the area’s distinctive dryland ecosystems and the species they support; management since establishment has balanced habitat protection with limited tourism and local land use. The park’s savanna and coastal habitats have been maintained while also facing pressures typical of lowland protected areas in Java.

The park occupies a coastal position on the northeastern tip of Java in Banyuwangi Regency, East Java province, with the savanna and forested slopes rising toward Mount Baluran inland from the coast.

  • ‘Little Africa’ and best season: The park is sometimes called “Little Africa” because of its open savanna landscapes and visible grazing mammals, and is best visited in the dry season for wildlife sightings.

What to See#

  • Savannah Bekol: The broad grassland known as Savana Bekol, a striking open plain within the park that is a prime spot for wildlife viewing and photography.
  • Mount Baluran: Mount Baluran, the park’s highest feature, which rises above the surrounding lowlands and savanna areas.
  • Coastal zones: Coastal sectors and beaches on the park’s eastern side that include mangrove and intertidal habitats.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Baluran

The dry months from May to September are generally best for wildlife viewing and overland photos; the wet season brings birdlife and green scenery but more challenging logistics.

Dry season
May-September · 24-32°C (75-90°F)
Best wildlife visibility in the savanna and easier walking trails; grasses are shorter and animals concentrate near waterholes.
Wet season
October-April · 23-30°C (73-86°F)
Lush vegetation and migratory birds arrive; some trails may be muddy or flooded.

Weather & Climate near Baluran

Climate

Baluran's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 16°C to 26°C. Heavy rainfall (2061 mm/year), wettest in January with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 45 Good
Best Time to Visit
SeptemberAugustOctober
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
34°
Warmest Month
17°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Good 17° - 24° 20° 406 mm overcast 85% 1.9 m/s 2.4 extreme 12.4h
February Good 16° - 24° 20° 361 mm overcast 87% 1.9 m/s 2.6 extreme 12.2h
March Good 17° - 24° 20° 342 mm partly cloudy 86% 1.9 m/s 2.6 extreme 12.0h
April Very Good 17° - 24° 21° 184 mm partly cloudy 85% 2.3 m/s 2.4 extreme 11.8h
May Very Good 17° - 25° 21° 122 mm partly cloudy 85% 2.3 m/s 2.1 extreme 11.7h
June Excellent 16° - 24° 20° 61 mm some cloud 85% 2.5 m/s 1.9 very high 11.6h
July Excellent 16° - 24° 20° 41 mm mostly sunny 84% 2.5 m/s 2.0 extreme 11.6h
August Ideal 16° - 25° 20° 16 mm mostly sunny 81% 3.8 m/s 2.4 extreme 11.8h
September Ideal 16° - 26° 21° 14 mm mostly sunny 78% 3.6 m/s 2.6 extreme 12.0h
October Ideal 17° - 27° 22° 41 mm mostly sunny 76% 3.5 m/s 2.7 extreme 12.2h
November Very Good 18° - 26° 22° 162 mm partly cloudy 78% 2.8 m/s 2.6 extreme 12.3h
December Good 17° - 25° 21° 311 mm overcast 83% 2.1 m/s 2.3 extreme 12.4h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Baluran

Baluran is reached from the town of Situbondo (East Java). From Situbondo, local minibuses (angkot) or private transport head to Banyuputih and onward to the park entrance. The nearest larger transport hub is Banyuwangi (ferry+train connections); from Banyuwangi it’s roughly a 2-3 hour drive west.

Tips for Visiting Baluran

  • Hire a local guide for the Bekantan (forest) and savanna circuits - rangers know where the banteng and wild buffalo gather.
  • Visit the savanna (Savana Bekol) at dawn or late afternoon for the best wildlife viewing and softer light for photography.
  • Bring insect repellent and a long-sleeve shirt: mosquitoes are most active near water in the mornings and evenings.