JAKARTA REFERENCE

Just over an hour away - on week days.. :( - from busy Jakarta, nestling in the mountainous region of Cisarua lies Taman Safari, a nature park that allows visitors to observe animals at close quarters. A more beautiful and fitting setting could not have been chosen for the park. The toll road to Cisarua is flanked on either side by wildly flowering bougainvillea, that gives way to the spectacular Javanese countryside, generously dotted with coconut palms. Paddy fields stretch out to the horizon, and as one gets closer to the mountains, the impressive silhouette of Mount Gede can seen standing sentinel over the lush green landscape.

For a small fee, one enters the fascinating world of animals. Taman Safari spread over 75 hectares provides natural habitat type conditions for the various species of animals that are reared there. Visitors can view these animals from the safety of their automobiles close up. The Taman Safari experiment has been successful on all counts: the animals population has grown and multiplied at a rate that has exceeded all expectations, and the park now has a record number of animals born in captivity, and a record number of visitors too!

Of the 150 species of animals that one can see at the park, over 60% are from other countries. On entering the park, visitors are often "greeted" by inquisitive lamas wandering up to cars and poking their heads through open windows in search of a snack - but please don't feed them or any other animals in the park. Here one can also observe the endangered single horned Sumatran rhino. There are game wardens patrolling the reserve in jeeps who ensure the safety of spectators.

Then come the monkey and orangutans, who keep the visitors amused throughout the trip, as they dance, covert and put on a dazzling display of acrobatics for their captive audience. The giraffes are the more stately and hardly turn their heads to acknowledge the crowds. The gentle slopes of the park are dotted with axis deer, indigenous to Java and colorful bird.

Through the double electronically controlled doors, one heads straight for the lions den. The big cats are well fed fine specimens, resting on platform they seem to be on display for the endless stream of visitors who stop for a quick photograph. The park has one Sumatran tiger that is so tame that visitors can have their pictures taken with him. The tiger population has expanded considerably, and they are great source of pride to the management of the park.

Recently, the komodo dragon was added to the impressive list of animals at the Park. The komodos were brought directly from the Komodo island, and have now begun lo lay their eggs in captivity. If one is lucky, one might get to see a baby dragon being hatched!

On Sundays visitors can enjoy the circus performance put on artists that live on the premises, and after hours tent to the park and the animals.

Once the excitement of watching the animals is over, and the one and a half hour drive through the park is completed, the return trip to Jakarta begins. It is every bit as enjoyable as the trip up. There are quaint antique shops filled with all kinds of knick - knacks for art lovers, there are vegetables stalls for the health conscious, and even kite sellers!

Taman Safari Indonesia

Jl. Raya Puncak No.601 Cisarua

Bogor - Jawa Barat 16750

Phone: (62-251) 250 000

Fax : (62-251) 250 555