Visiting Indonesia in August

Peak season continues across Indonesia, with even more visitors to the country during August than July – be prepared to book ahead and for crowds, unless you’re venturing well off the beaten path. Between great weather on the beaches, fantastic wildlife-spotting opportunities and people flocking to national parks, coast, temples and volcanoes for family holidays, it’s one of the busiest times to explore the country.

Java

Humidity is rising in Yogyakarta, but it’s one of the driest months to explore Java. You’ll get some of the best views of the perfect cone of Mount Bromo as well as the ideal conditions to climb it, the Ijen Plateau and the Dieng Plateau. Escape some of the crowds with a visit to Kalibaru village where you can learn about daily life while walking among the spice plantations, although be prepared for  Borobudur to be busy – the later in the month you can visit, the better. The same goes for Bandung, although you can get a taste of some of Java’s highlights by teaming the city with the beach at Pangandaran and a trip to the active Papandayan volcano.

The weather is still blissfully good at Nusa Tenggara. Escape some of the crowds on a cruise to less accessible coves, or head off to discover the more remote parts of Flores before hitting the beach at Maumere. Away from the coast, you could head into the hills of Tetebatu for a taste of authentic Lombok, or climb Mount Rinjani, although the islands’ attractions are tempting however crowded, including the white sands of Senggigi, the gorgeous Gili Islands and the chance to see Komodo dragons.

Bali

Temperatures are dropping slightly in Bali’s central region around Ubud and Sidemen if you’re looking for a slightly cooler escape. Otherwise you’ll find around 10 hours of sunshine per day at the beaches, tempting plenty of visitors to hotspots like Sanur, Lovina and Jimbaran. The waters off the east coast can be choppier again this month thanks to the trade winds, so consider Pemuteran for some calmer seas.

And there’s still dry weather at Kalimantan and Sumatra if you’re hoping to spot wildlife. August is one of the hottest months on Kalimantan with temperatures hitting 33C, if you’re planning a river cruise or to head into the rainforest to see orangutans. Sumatra is equally hot and dry, if you’re heading to Bukit Luwang for the chance to see the orangutans in the jungle. Head up into the highlands at Berastagi to escape some of the heat, or discover more about local culture and life at the lakes – Samosir Island in Lake Toba or Lake Maninjau are both tempting.

Festivals: Independence Day is celebrated on August 17 with a public holiday, marking the anniversary of Indonesia gaining its independence from the Dutch in 1945. There are celebrations across the country to commemorate the occasion.

The Bali Kite Festival usually takes place this month (or July) in Padang Galak where the strong summer winds are perfect for flying kites. Once a way to thank the Hindu gods for the harvest, the festival now features a string of competitions and attracts visitors from around the world, making it one of Indonesia’s biggest festivals.

Best for: Heading off the beaten track, sunny weather, beaches, wildlife spotting, climbing and trekking.