Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin There are three extant species of orangutan on earth today. Getty While Bali draws massive crowds of tourists each year thanks to its world-class resorts and stunning landscapes, it’s far from the only island worth visiting in Indonesia. In the western reaches of the country, Sumatra serves as the second-largest island in the nation and sixth-largest on the planet, with no shortage of fascinating cities and natural attractions to visit across its shores—yet when it comes to planning a truly bucket-list-worthy foray into the wilderness, it’s tough to find a better destination than Gunung Leuser National Park.
Officially established in 1980, this sprawling preserve is a crucial component to preserving Sumatra’s rich biodiversity, with just under 8,000 square kilometers of land that are brimming with vast swathes of pristine tropical rainforest. While the park plays host to a massive array of native reptiles and insects, it’s best known for harboring all sorts of charismatic megafauna, with Sumatran tigers, Sumatran rhinos and Sumatran elephants all calling the region home. Yet when it comes to ecotourism, one animal in particular draws tourists from all across the globe.
Indonesia is renowned for its high degree of avian biodiversity. getty The planet is home to three extant orangutan species, and the northern reaches of Sumatra are perfect for spotting the aptly-named Sumatran orangutan. For best results, visitors .