Sungai Wain shows its natural beauty
Sungai Wain shows its natural beauty
BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan (Antara): Balikpapan, nicknamed
the "oil city", offers more than just the routine, dull sight of
seemingly endless lines of barrels belonging to the state company
Pertamina. Few people are aware that the city boasts charming
ecotourism spots.
Taman Wana Wisata Sungai (River) Wain is possibly one of the
best places for ecotourism enthusiasts.
Balikpapan regent Tjutjup Suparna has said the local
government is developing the tremendous ecotourism potentials in
the area, especially Sungai Wain.
Sungai Wain is a 15 hectare park located just about 15
kilometers north of Balikpapan, to the left of the Balikpapan-
Samarinda highway.
It has a gorgeous valley challenging visitors with adventurous
spirits. The natural landscape is breathtaking. The typical
tranquility is broken only by the sounds of nature: birds
singing, insects chirping and leaves rustling.
The forest managed by the state-owned forestry company PT
Inhutani I can be reached by a public bus that will take about 10
minutes and cost you a mere Rp 1,000.
The government is planning to develop Sungai Wain not only for
ecotourism but also for educational and research purposes.
Upstream grows 125 species of trees endemic to Kalimantan.
There are also hundreds of orangutans which were formerly
"rehabilitated" at the Samboja Research Forest after they were
rescued from their habitat that was being severely threatened by
logging and poaching.
Smaller monkeys, deer and hornbills also abound. Swarming
downstream are various species of fresh water fish.
Sungai Wain is relatively safe from human encroachment and
therefore the various flora and fauna live undisturbed.
The river is about 18 kilometers long, an ideal distance for
jungle trekking. Visitors can go from Balikpapan by speedboat and
enjoy nature along the way: forests, brown monkeys, long-tailed
monkeys, and long-nosed monkeys swaying on the trees on the
riverbanks. Crocodiles are often sighted under the ubiquitous
mangroves. Hills and valleys are also of great attraction.
Sungai Wain is also designed as a good place for family
outings. Available there is a camping ground with bathrooms, rest
rooms, a parking lot and a mosque.
Sungai Wain offers a wide variety of natural beauties.