Since it first opened in 2017, Lombok Wildlife Park has become one of the most popular attractions in North Lombok – delighting guests and earning rave reviews on sites like TripAdvisor.

Formerly named “Lombok Elephant Park”, the wildlife sanctuary has grown over the past two years and now provides a safe home for 195 animals and 50 different species, many of which are protected.

The Lombok Wildlife Park is the life-long dream of owners Fellicia and Ketut Suadika, two animal lovers who are dedicated to rescuing animals from cruel and dangerous situations.

Pak Ketut worked with animals at the Bali Bird Park for 25 years before deciding to pursue his passion and start his own animal sanctuary.

Fellicia and Ketut found the perfect natural jungle environment near the small village of Sigar Penjalin in North Lombok and, in 2013, set about creating their animal sanctuary.

The first years were spent rescuing and rehabilitating the animals, creating environments for them to live in, and training the staff who work at the park. Most of the staff are from the local villages and have been trained in zoos and conservation parks to learn how to care for the animals. The mahouts that work with the elephants spent 3 years in training. Many of the creatures who live at the park have been rescued from circuses and zoos, and arrive at the park abused and in poor condition, physically and mentally.

Fellicia and Ketut now dedicate their time to giving them a safe and comfortable place to heal and live out their days happily. In 2017, they opened their doors to the public. Although the name has changed, the three resident Sumatran Elephants are still the stars of the show, especially the two girls: Cindy and Melati. Both came from a notorious zoo in Java, where they were forced to perform circus tricks and offer elephant rides for up to 8 hours a day.

Anyone who knows the way that elephants are tortured and “broken” to force them to submit to elephant riding, will understand the terrible life they had before arriving at the park.

“For the first year, we did offer elephant rides,” Fellicia told us. “The elephants have been doing it all their lives and our visitors seemed to demand it.”

“We were careful and limited the number of riders every day but, in the end, we just couldn’t stand to see it anymore,” she explained. “We knew we would lose some business but really, this is about the animals. So we cancelled the elephant riding and don’t allow it anymore.” Lombok Wildlife Park is the first elephant park in Indonesia to refuse the practice of elephant riding.

Visitors to the Park can still meet the elephants up close and feed them fruit and vegetables from the fruit baskets available for purchase. The Park also offers the chance to join the animals in their daily bath and give them a scrub; an activity the elephants obviously love.

At the ripe old age of 51 and 52, Cindy and Melati are now basking in the sun, eating their body weight in food each day and delighting everyone who they meet.

Bayu, the 21 year old male elephant from the zoo in Java, was rescued early and hopes to have a young female mate joining him soon.

The Park spreads over 4 hectares with two hectares filled with gardens and animal enclosures designed to be as natural as possible. Another half a hectare is currently being developed as a home for deer, cassowary, crocodiles and a Komodo dragon.

Walking along the shady paths, you meet a wonderful variety of birds happily sitting on branches – colourful lorikeets, cockatoos, parrots, owls and fascinating hornbills, with their beautiful markings and oversized beaks.

Valent, the park’s resident Orangutan from Borneo, is a larger than life character who loves to put on a show, grabbing fruit from visitors, cuddling and playing with the guests like an overgrown child.

If you are lucky, you will meet Kiki and Kaka, the Park’s baby orangutans, who will capture your hearts with their childlike cuteness.

Siamang the Gibbon is another character, ruling the roost from his spacious enclosure. Running around the trees and swinging from the branches, he lets everyone know he’s the boss with his loud calls!

Other parts of the Park house Sun Bears, more Orangutans and Gibbons, Proboscis Monkeys, Crocodiles, cute Pygmy Hippopotamus, and more.

A large walk-through bird enclosure contains a variety of pretty birds including peacocks, while the nearby snake enclosure houses lizards and large pythons, which are happy to drape themselves over guests for a photo.

The highlight of the day has to be bathing with the elephants. Whether you pay for the privilege of getting in the water to scrub them or are a spectator, it is a total delight seeing these gentle giants cooling off in the pool and spraying water from their trunks in happiness.

Guests are welcome to spend as long as they like wandering around the park and enjoying the company of the animals. Afterwards, you can relax at the lovely Ivory Restaurant overlooking the jungle.

The restaurant has a great selection of meals and snacks, cold drinks, juices and milkshakes, coffee and teas, as well as a delicious variety of cakes and ice creams. The meals are particularly good, whether you choose an Indonesian Nasi Campur or fish and chips or a sumptuous afternoon tea. Lombok Wildlife Park is a “must visit” on your Lombok itinerary… families with kids will love it too!

Visit: lombokwildlifepark.com