Exciting Picnic at Tahura Bunder Gunungkidul: Trekking Amidst Deer Sightings
Gunungkidul Regency offers more than just beach tourism; it also boasts equally beautiful nature tourism. One such attraction is trekking through the Bunder Forest Park (Tahura Bunder) in Gunungkidul, where visitors can observe diverse flora and fauna.
The Head of Tahura Bunder, Alex Zubaedi, stated that while the park is open to the public, it currently utilises a gatekeeping system. Specifically, Alex noted that this system requires prospective visitors to be more organised when planning their visit.
“The public can make a reservation in advance or contact officers at 0_821_3836_8731 to obtain visit information,” Alex told reporters on Tuesday (2/6/2026).
Alex explained that the gatekeeping system aims to maintain the tranquility of the wildlife within Tahura Bunder. Additionally, it ensures that the visitor experience remains high-quality and peaceful.
“At Tahura Bunder, visitors can engage in camping, trekking, and even playing in the Oya River, which is bordered by karst rocks,” he said.
Regarding entry fees, each visitor is charged Rp 5,000. For those wishing to pitch a tent, the rate is only Rp 10,000 per site per night. Parking is priced at just Rp 1,000; all collected fees are reinvested into the maintenance of Tahura Bunder.
“There are more than 10 tent sites available, along with bathroom facilities. Most visitors come here for camping and perform trekking in the morning, walking a total distance of approximately three kilometres,” he added.
Alex mentioned that the trekking route follows established paths guided by trained personnel. The route includes visiting deer breeding facilities, wildlife protection units, visiting the seed nursery, and seeing the eucalyptus plantations firsthand.
“Guides are provided by our operators, and payment is based on what the visitor feels is appropriate,” he said.
According to Alex, trekking allows visitors to become more acquainted with the flora and fauna of Tahura Bunder. He also highlighted a unique spot along the route.
“The highlight of the trek is seeing Watu Sipat, a small river feature with lines etched into its rocks. If these lines were drawn straight, they could reach as far as East Java,” he remarked.
Alex noted that the Keraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat has requested the management of Tahura Bunder to strictly preserve the Watu Sipat site. The Yogyakarta Palace has issued a warning that no alterations should be made to the location.
“Therefore, in addition to the physical site being preserved, visitors can relax due to the still very natural forest atmosphere,” he concluded.