Aketajawe-Lolobata National Park, National park in North Maluku, Indonesia.
Aketajawe-Lolobata National Park covers 167,300 hectares of Halmahera in two blocks: Aketajawe (77,100 ha) in Central Halmahera and Kota Tidore Kepulauan, and Lolobata (90,200 ha) in East Halmahera. Its lowland and montane rainforest includes Agathis, Intsia bijuga and Octomeles sumatrana. The Lolobata block reaches 1,417 m and Aketajawe 1,513 m, with limestone cliffs, waterfalls and caves.
The area was historically part of the Moluccas and gained national park status in 2004 after decades of conservation efforts. This recognition followed early protection plans from the 1980s that aimed to preserve this forest region for the future.
The Togutil people have lived in these forests for generations, maintaining deep connections to the land through daily practices and traditional knowledge. Visitors can encounter signs of their presence throughout the park, where life follows the rhythm of the surrounding wilderness.
Visits require advance permission from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, which oversees access to the protected area. Hiring a local guide is recommended to navigate the forest safely and understand what you encounter along the way.
The park's forests also shelter the ornate cuscus (Phalanger ornatus), a marsupial found only on Halmahera. Of the 51 mammal species recorded in North Maluku, 28 occur on the island and seven are endemic to the region. The Togutil people, estimated at around 2,000, share a language with coastal Tobelo communities.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,521 contributors worldwide.