Visiting Indonesia in April

The sun returns to most of Indonesia, and the crowds along with it, so it’s quieter earlier in the month. And whether you want to spy orangutans in the rainforests and jungles, hit the beaches, go diving, discover temples or generally explore the country’s fantastic scenery, this is when to go to Indonesia, including some tempting opportunities for family holidays.

Java

After the months of rain, rice fields are vibrantly green and lush and the flowers are blooming. On Java, it’s one of the best months to visit Borobudur, surrounded by greenery, although Jakarta will feel hot and sticky with temperatures rising into the low 30Cs. Now the dry season has arrived, you can trek the Ijen Plateau with its volcanic peaks, explore villages like Kalibaru and climb Mount Bromo – although conditions here will be even better later in the year. For one of Java’s more unusual experiences, you can discover a little slice of Africa in the savannah of Baluran National Park, where flowers will still be in bloom after the last weeks of rain and before the driest months begin in May.

Bali

It’s also a great time to go diving off Bali, including Pemuteran, the west Bali National Park and the east coast such as Nusa Lembongan, Amed and Candidasa. There’s fabulous weather on the beaches too if you fancy a more relaxed time in the sun, whether that’s around Sanur, Lovina, Jimbaran or the surf at Paradise Beach. The rice paddies of Ubud and Sidemen will still be green, as will the hills at Munduk and around Tirtagangga where you can visit the famous water palace.

Snorkelling and diving are just as good in Nusa Tenggara, with clear, warm water off the coast of Lombok, the Gili Islands, Flores and in the Komodo National Park, where you can also look for the island’s dragons. Can’t decide where to go? How about an island-hopping cruise to see some of the best. Head into the hills of Tetebatu to discover the scenery away from the coast, or climb Mount Rinjani, although bear in mind that it will be cooler as you trek here.

It’s one of the best months for spotting wildlife as well. You won’t escape the rain entirely in Kalimantan, but there are fewer wet spells and more sun, with temperatures rising to around 32C as you cruise down jungle rivers or venture into the rainforest to look for orangutans. You’ll find a similar situation in Sumatra too; less rain in the south, and while there’s the occasional downpour in the tropical north, you’ll have a good chance of seeing orangutans in the jungle, especially around Bukit Luwang.

Elsewhere, you’ll find more sun in southern Sulawesi, and while it’s shoulder season across the Molucca Islands, the winds have dropped in the Banda islands, and it’s less rainy in the southern and northern islands of the archipelago this month too. You’ll find warm weather and good diving in Raja Ampat as well.

Festivals: Nyepi, or the Balinese Day of Silence is a celebration to mark the New Year (date varies, usually in March/April). A public holiday across the country, people fast and spend the day quietly and in meditation – expect streets to be silent, most places to be closed, even internet to be shut off, with everyone expected to abide by the restrictions. The following days are for families and friends to perform certain rituals together, with parades taking place.

Best for: Exploring the whole country, beaches, diving and snorkelling, trekking, rice paddies, wildlife spotting, temples