Rinjani Flora and Fauna

The Mount Rinjani National Parks lies within the Wallacea Transition Zone (Wallace) that divides Asia from Australasia. The Wallace Line as it is known runs between Bali and Lombok and is the transition point between what sort of plants and animals we see in Asia and Australiasia. It is quite a stark contrast from the lush tropical forests of Bali to the open savannahs found on Rinjanis North East and Eastern flanks.

The Park itself has a rich variety of flora and fauna though they can be difficult to spot unless you remain quiet and patient.

Sometimes seen early in the mornings is the rare black Ebony leaf monkey, known locally as Lutung. We have often seen these in the trees on the eastern flank on the lower slopes and also on the northern primary forests higher up the mountain. The Long Tailed Grey Macaque or Kera is common in Lombok and older males are seen on the crater rim. Large troops can be seen on both the eastern rim and the northern rim as well as camp sites and luch stops on the northern slopes scavenging for food.

Ruda Deer are forest dwellers and are occasionally seen along the Rinjani trek trail. The smaller barking deer or Kijang has an alarm call with a distinct dog-like bark. Look for the disturbed ground where the Wild Pig or Babi Hutan has been foraging. Also found in the forest is the Leopard Cat or Bodok Alas, Palm Civet or Ujat and Porcupine or Landak. These are very hard to find though you may encounter them if you camp in the jungle sites on the northern slopes.  The western and southern slopes are more reminiscent of an African savannah with high grasses and few trees.

A variety of colorful birds live in the forests of the Park. Perhaps the best known icon of the Park is the Sulphur Crested Cockatoo that is not found any further west of Lombok. These are large white parrots with a yellow crest and can be heard from some distant by their distinct squarking call. Swallows and swifts are also sighted at higher altitudes as well as the occassional bird of prey.

Many of the forest-dwelling animals, insects, birds, civets and monkeys owe their survival to the wild fig tree or Beringin as a provider of food and shelter. The pine-like Casuarina species, Cemara, are a feature of the grassy higher slopes. Orchids or Anggrek are also a feature of the grassland areas, as is Edelweiss or Bunga Abadi growing above the tree line.