Manupeu Tanah Daru National Park, National park in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Manupeu Tanah Daru is a national park in East Nusa Tenggara on Sumba Island, containing expansive lowland forests across steep terrain. The landscape encompasses thousands of hectares of densely vegetated slopes that reach up to 600 meters in elevation and contain multiple settlements within its boundaries.
The park was established in 1998 by Indonesia's Ministry of Forestry across three district boundaries on Sumba Island. Its creation responded to the need to protect the island's diverse forest ecosystems and their wildlife from degradation.
The park is woven into the daily lives of surrounding communities who have long connections to these forests and their wildlife. You can see how local people engage with the environment through traditional practices that have shaped the landscape over time.
You can explore the park on established trails and stay in community-run lodges that provide basic accommodations. The driest months from March to June and October to December offer the most comfortable conditions for walking through the forests.
The park harbors a remarkable bird population with many species found nowhere else on earth. Birdwatchers might spot uncommon birds like the yellow-crested cockatoo and other creatures adapted only to Sumba's particular forests.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
