Denpasar, In the City

An Intriguing Escapade at a Mangrove Forest

Confused about adventure sites in Denpasar? Why not come to the Mangrove Information Centre? It’s situated in South Denpasar, at Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai, Suwung Kawuh. From downtown Denpasar, it’s 21 km or 20 minutes drive, 15 minutes from Kuta and some 20 minutes from Nusa Dua. Having arrived at Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai, we will pass by small road to the south around 500 metres and there it is.

Mangrove Information Centre is good for training, research, environmental education and ecotourism. If you would like to explore the forest area, you’d better come on Monday-Friday at office hours at 09:00 to 17:00 Local Time. Or you may also come on Saturday or Sunday but its entrance fee is more expensive. Adventure at this mangrove forest should be performed in the morning or afternoon so it will not be hot.
This place is frequently used as a venue for environmental education for elementary to senior high school students. They at all times come in-group or one school. In advance, they should send a reservation letter to get a confirmation so they obtain complete facilities including a guide that give direct explanation.
Previously, this location was prawn and milkfish embankment. Then in 1992, regional government of Bali brought back its function to forest. Prior to entering the location, visitor should report to attendant and buy entrance ticket IDR 50.000 per person. Then, you will be led to a large building of which location is not far from parking area. Before proceeding to an adventure, you will be taken to a meeting hall to get some introductory explanation on what mangrove is, where it grows, its function and how to preserve it. To learn more about it, a videocassette will be played for a detailed description on how actually mangrove plant grows.
Afterwards, visitor will be led to see diorama that expounds around the nature and whatever exists in the Mangrove Information Centre. For instance, mangrove ecosystem is complete with its trees and animals, like crabs, molluscs, birds, snakes and herbarium. Still in the room, you will be also invited to a show room in the west side. Here, you can see description of mangrove tree along with its examples.
When being considered enough, we’ll be taken to the field in the south. First of all, we’re introduced to a seedling site or seedbed. Seedling is taken from its tree and then germinated on that seedbed. Next to it, lays a touch pool where children can play. This pool has been freed from any kinds of stone. If playing here, visitors should be careful, as there are many crabs and prawn.
Southerly, you will encounter the mangrove forest. The forest of 101 hectares was planted in 1994 and managed by Department of Forestry. Escapading at this forest can be carried out on foot passing through the trail (wooden bridge) of which names are adjusted to the name of group of local mangrove plant. Get bored? You can take a rest on the gazebos available. There are five gazebos of which names are taken from that of bird, like Javan Pond Heron, Purple Heron, Whrimbrel Hall, Tern Hall and Spotted Dove Hall.
On entering, you will see Javan Pond Heron Hall. Right and left side is natural forest. Some metres later, you’ll find a tower of 10 metres high. From this tower top, you can see several kinds of birds and their nest that sticks on trees. For a poet or painter, this view will provoke abundant inspirations for works of art.
Some metres to the south, you arrive at Tern Hall Gazebo. From here, you can discern the magnificence of Benoa Harbour. Ships to and fro and once in a while you hear the thundering sound or planes above our head. When satisfied, you can take eastern trail. Within this passage, forest animals like lizard, snake and the like often surprise us. Your adventure in this forest has cover a distance of 1400 metres and takes you 1.5 to 2 hours. Hopefully you get pleasurable adventure! (BTN/015)