Follow in the Footsteps of Wallace: Tangkoko Wildlife Tour

When entering Tangkoko Nature Reserve, you’ll pass under the enormous, bearded statue of Sir Alfred Russell Wallace, which was erected in 2019 to celebrate the park’s centenary. Continuing into the verdant interior of this biodiversity hotspot in North Sulawesi, the reputation of this famous naturalist also looms large over the reserve.

Wallace himself visited Tangkoko in September 1859, to research the many endemic animals that live here. He would later become famous for identifying the border line that distinguishes the animals and plants of Asia from Australia. Running between Bali and Lombok and Kalimantan and Sulawesi, this invisible biogeographic boundary would come to be known as the ‘Wallace Line’.

Today, visitors to Lembeh Resort can see many of the species that inspired Wallace’s discovery. By exploring Tangkoko Nature Reserve in wide-eyed wonder (enormous beard optional), they can also follow in his footsteps.

About Tangkoko Nature Reserve

Located at the foot of Mount Dua Saudara in North Sulawesi, Tangkoko is one of Indonesia’s oldest nature reserves. This forest, spanning around 9,000 hectares, is famed for the richness of its biodiversity. This means visitors can enjoy some incredible animal encounters, and get a glimpse of the conservation efforts ensuring their survival.

Among the reserve’s inhabitants are the Celebes crested macaque (Macaca nigra), an Endangered primate native to Sulawesi; and the spectral tarsier (Tarsius tarsier), the world’s smallest primate. The reserve is also home to the Sulawesi bear cuscus (Ailurops ursinus), various reptile species, and a diverse array of insects and odonatan, including colorful butterflies. 

For bird enthusiasts, species like the knobbed hornbill, kingfishers, Sulawesi mynas, and the Endangered maleo bird provide outstanding opportunities for photography and observation. Let’s take a closer look at just a few of the species that make Tangkoko North Sulawesi’s premier topside wildlife destination.

Celebes Crested Macaque (Macaca nigra)

In Tangkoko, you can observe large troops of Sulawesi crested black macaque threading their way through the forest, pausing to groom each other or gather up young stragglers. Locally known as yaki, wolai, or bolai, their jet-black bodies and elongated faces are punctuated by reddish-brown eyes and a crimson, heart-shaped skin pad on the rump. 

These macaques have almost completely lost their tails, which gives them an ape-like appearance and walking gait. The families here are used to being studied round the clock by researchers, so are relatively comfortable in human company – so expect some up-close-and-personal encounters with the more mischievous members of the troop!

Spectral Tarsier (Tarsius tarsier)

The world's smallest primate, the tarsier is a nocturnal creature with distinctive large eyes. They prefer to live among dense vegetation, shrubs, bamboo, palm, dense thickets of grass, bush, thorn scrubs, and secondary habitats on plantations. Uniquely among primates, tarsiers have an exclusively carnivorous diet, which consists mainly of insects that they capture on the ground, tree branches and leaves, and in the air. They will sometimes even take small birds and rodents.

Tangkoko Nature Reserve provides a unique opportunity to spot these elusive animals in their natural habitat. Our afternoon tour ends around dusk, when these captivating nocturnal creatures are beginning to venture out of their daytime hiding places. For those who look into the wide, captivating eyes of a tarsier, it’s an experience that’s not to be missed, and long to be remembered!

Knobbed Hornbills (Rhyticeros cassidix)  

The official symbol of South Sulawesi province, the knobbed hornbill (also known as the Sulawesi wrinkled hornbill) is a large black bird with a yellow bill, white tail feathers, pale blue skin around the eyes, black feet, and dark blue throat. Like many other hornbill species, the knobbed hornbill is monogamous – during a breeding season that lasts around 8 months, the female will seal herself inside the hollow of a tree, while the male will bring daily food parcels to her and their brood, which he passes through a small window in the edifice of the nesting chamber.

The knobbed hornbill is currently classified as Vulnerable (VU) in Indonesia by the IUCN Red List, due to habitat destruction caused by illegal logging. In Tangkoko Nature Reserve, these birds find a refuge from the threats they face elsewhere; for visitors with a passion for ornithology, these impressive creatures are an unmistakable highlight on one of our most popular land tours.

Kingfishers

The trees of Tangkoko Nature Reserve are also home to no fewer than six endemic species of kingfishers, namely the lilac, green-backed, great-billed, Sulawesi dwarf, scaly, and the black-headed kingfishers. Somewhat surprisingly, many of these species don’t actually fish for their food – most feed on insects and fruits among the foliage of Tangkoko’s lush forests. 

Like many of the species living here, kingfishers are used to seeing humans pass by on the tracks below, so travelers with a long lens can look forward to capturing some amazing shots of these colorful birds in the branches.

Sulawesi Bear Cuscus (Ailurops ursinus)

Another native to North Sulawesi, this tree-dwelling marsupial can often be seen in Tangkoko, moving leisurely through the forest canopy or taking a sunlit nap in the nook of the branches. Researchers here have discovered that Sulawesi bear cuscus spend around 15 hours a day resting; when it does finally get going, the Sulawesi bear cuscus uses its elongated claws and a long, prehensile tail to navigate the upper canopy, swinging leisurely from branch to branch. 

Like other marsupials, the female gives birth to relatively underdeveloped offspring, which she carries in a pouch on her belly for around 8 months. Adults can grow to approximately 15–22 lbs (7-10 kg) and 24 inches (61 cm) in length, with a tail that is almost as long as the rest of its body.

Lembeh Tours to Tangkoko Nature Reserve 

Lembeh Resort provides morning and afternoon trips to Tangkoko Nature Reserve, with full-day and half-day tours available. Each provides an unforgettable experience:

• Full-Day Tour: This option includes an early morning departure, breakfast at the Tangkoko Lodge, and a guided trek through the forest. Trekkers have the opportunity to observe various wildlife, followed by a boat excursion through the mangroves to spot herons, kingfishers, monitor lizards, and other fauna. 
• Half-Day Tour: Ideal for those with limited time or after morning dives, this tour involves a 2-3 hour guided trek focusing on spotting primates, birds, and other wildlife. The late afternoon schedule increases the chances of encountering the nocturnal tarsiers. 

For more information, please visit the Land Tours section of our website, or get in touch.