In the last 2 years, ElderTreks' CEO Gary Murtagh has been working hard to work out the logistics of visiting the Sumatran Rhino Breeding Sanctuary in Way Kambas National Park, South Sumatra. Not only is this a rare and special experience (as there are only about 100 Sumatran rhinos left worldwide), but we hope that by supporting and bringing sustainable tourism, that the locals may help protect the rhinos and no longer be a potential poaching threat. South Sumatra is not known for its tourism infrastructure and things do not happen easily here, yet it has some incredible experiences for intrepid travelers!
Other trip highlights includes a visit to Krakatoa (including Anak Krakatoa, or son of... which rose from the Sunda Strait in 1927), the site of the biggest and loudest explosion in modern history when Krakatoa violently exploded in 1883. The reason you will not find many adventure tour operators offering either of these stops is because they are not easy to get to or operate. This has never stopped ElderTreks as we are often the first to offer unique itineraries (we have been running trips to Iran for almost 15 years and Cuba for over 22 years just to name a few)! Here are a few words from Claudio Portal, our beloved tour leader, after our first group visit to Way Kampas and the Rhino Breeding Sanctuary...
"I'm glad to report we have successfully visited the SRS (Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary) this morning with a visit to see Harapan at his feeding session. He was very curious and approached the fence within 4 feet of our group so they got a really good view of this rhino. We spent 1 hr. there at the SRS with Dr Zulfi and he was kind enough to come to the Eco Lodge tonight to answer all our questions plus he made an excellent presentation including a projector for video and pictures. It was like having our group's very own NatGeo experience... They loved it!
To learn more about our Sumatra adventure including our visits to see orangutans, Sumatran elephants, meet the Batak people of stunning Lake Toba and the Minangkabau (matrilineal society) of West Sumatra, click here.
