Mangrove Bedul Ecotourism
A cooperation between the village
of Sumberasri and Alas Purwo National Park, Mangrove Bedul Ecotourism (MBE) comprises
a space of 2,300 hectares of intact mangrove forest with an adjoining lagoon of
18 km.
The original idea
for the project was given by the community of the village of Sumberasri, in an
attempt to restore and protect the mangrove area and all its existing flora and
fauna.
The project also
serves as an alternative to develop the local economy and improve the welfare
of the community by providing employment opportunities and a leisure space.
So far, MBE is
still solely managed by the tourism-board of the village of Sumberasri, making
this project a genuine community-based tourism initiative, unique to Alas Purwo
National Park.
The Tours
Mangrove Bedul Ecotourism offers three
different tours to explore its mangrove and wildlife.
On all three tours visitors are
taken on traditional Javanese boats, the Gondang-Gandung, to discover the
wildlife in the park: monkeys, monitor lizards and migratory birds from
Australia are amongst some of the species who depend on the 26 different types
of mangrove for their sustenance.
In the future, the park intends to
increase its package tours to include a variety of activities that give
visitors a chance to see up-close village life and engage with the local
community.
The park also offers a pleasant
location for those who wish to fish. The tranquil beach of Bedul is also easily
accessible from the park, taking visitors through the lowland forest of Alas
Purwo where deer, wild boar, peacocks and other wildlife can be spotted.
An English-speaking guide will
accompany guests on all tours, and lunch can also be provided if requested.
For those who wish to enjoy this
area for longer, a homestay in a traditional Javanese home can be arranged.
Tour 1 – Kêre
Guests are taken by boat to the mouth
of the river Kêre where some species of wildlife and mangrove can be observed.
Visitors can finish their tour by
crossing the lagoon and taking a walk through the lowland forest that leads to
Bedul beach.
Route: 6 km return trip
Duration: 45 min
Guests are taken by boat to the
estuary of the lagoon where in the appropriate season, in addition to the
wildlife that can be spotted all year round in the park, migrant birds from
Australia can also be observed. This location provides a beautiful view point for
sunset.
In low tide, visitors can reach
the beach of Bedul within an easy 15 minute walk. Alternatively, they can take
the path through the lowland forest to reach the beach.
Route: 10 km return trip
Duration: 1 hour 30 min
Visitors take a 1 hour boat ride and
a 30 minute walk through the lowland forest to reach the turtle hatchery beach
of Ngagelan, comprised within Alas Purwo National Park, where they will be able
to see the newly born turtles and learn how they are kept and safeguarded until
they are ready to be released into the sea.
Route: 16 km return trip
Duration: 3 hours
By car:
From Banyuwangi - Srono - Muncar -
Tegaldlimo - Sumberasri - Bedul
From Banyuwangi - Srono - Benculuk - Purwoharjo - Sumberasri - Bedul
From Jember - Benculuk - Purwoharjo - Sumberasri - Bedul
Option 1: From Banyuwangi take the bus to Srono Muncar, in Muncar change
transportation to Tegaldlimo, in Tegaldlimo take a moto-taxi to Sumberasri
village and from there follow the directions to Bedul.
Option 2: Take a bus from Banyuwangi to Benculuk market. In Benculuk market take
another public transport to Curahjati. In Curahjati hire a moto-taxi to Bedul.
Contact
Eko: (0062) 082331121094
Email: Mangrove.Bedul@Gmail.com