Some trips call people long before they decide to pack a bag. Nusantara Wilderness creates exactly that kind of pull. Their journeys lean into a world where leaves hold quiet stories, where insects glow softly in the underbrush, and where movement flickers between branches long before anyone notices. The brand has quickly grown into a gentle guide for travellers to understand Indonesia’s ecosystems with more care, curiosity, and context. At the heart of it is its founder, Garda Damastra, whose lifelong fascination with the small, often overlooked lives of the forest shaped not only the trips he leads, but the way people learn to look at nature again with patience and fondness.
- Would you like to share with us a little bit about yourself?
I was born on 30 August 1993, and I now see myself as someone who genuinely enjoys sharing stories about nature and biodiversity, the very things I’ve loved since childhood.
Growing up in Yogyakarta, I was surrounded by nature, gardens, and small pockets of forest where insects, plants, and all sorts of creatures were part of my everyday world. Before social media crossed over, this was my entertainment. I observed anything harmless enough to hold and study, and my parents, thankfully, supported that curiosity. They took me to nearby forests almost every week and often helped me find the animals or books I was fascinated by.
Although I never pursued this academically, the passion stayed with me. I still actively learn, observe, and publish about the species and ecosystems I encounter, and that early interest eventually guided me toward the work I do today.
- What’s travel mean to you?
Travel gives me the chance to learn from new places, new experiences, and new people. Because my passion is closely tied to nature and biodiversity, every journey lets me add to my knowledge while connecting with likeminded people. Those connections often lead to meaningful discussions, ideas, and collaborations that open new doors for the greater good.
- Can you tell us, what first pulled you toward building a brand that guides people through the quieter and wilder corners of Indonesia?
It really began in childhood, when exploring the animals became second nature to me. Observing insects, plants, and tiny creatures was something I did every day, and it grew into a long-lasting interest.
As I got older, colleagues from Indonesia and abroad started asking if I could accompany them on private safaris. One request became another, then slowly became a series of private trips. But I realised it wasn’t sustainable to rely only on foreign visitors. And it also bothered me that many Indonesians had never truly explored their own forests, while foreigners often appreciated them more deeply. That thought pushed me to shift the focus.
I continued the short trips but began creating short classes aimed at locals, spaces to introduce the forests, the species, and the ecosystems we live among. That was the foundation of Nusantara Wilderness.
The hope is simple: to give people a chance to understand Indonesia’s biodiversity more personally, because we don’t always need to travel far to find something extraordinary. Even the nearest patch of green holds life worth appreciating and protecting.
- Your trip often touches on ecology, sustainability, and conservation. In your view, what makes you different and what is the most meaningful part of bringing travellers into these spaces with care?
What sets Nusantara Wilderness apart is that every trip is guided by a certified expert. We don’t only walk people through an exciting location, we help them learn. For reptile-focused trips, for example, the guide is someone who works with reptiles professionally. For plants, we bring researchers or lecturers, for marine life, a marine biologist. Every specialist is passionate about their field, and that creates a richer experience.
It’s even more meaningful when children join us. Their curiosity is still wide open, and exposure to nature at a young age can inspire them to respect and protect it as they grow. If the values they encounter during our trips stay with them long after, that’s the real reward.
- For someone joining one of your wilderness trips what experience do you hope stays with them once the journey is over?
I hope they leave with a deeper appreciation for their surroundings. Even a small shift in awareness, understanding ecosystems, recognising the roles of tiny creatures, or simply noticing what they used to overlook is already meaningful. If that awareness encourages them to care for nature in simple, everyday ways, then the trip has done its job.
- With so many travel brands inviting people to explore Indonesia, what do you feel makes Nusantara Wilderness unique?
Like I share, we provide certified experts for every trip, so the experience isn’t just exploring, it’s learning. We take travellers to places that are not only beautiful but also offer insight into biodiversity, ecosystems, and the lives that depend on them. Many of our trips also introduce sustainable ecosystem practices.
We offer three different trip packs, suitable for individuals, pairs, or groups, and travellers can choose between morning sessions (7 AM to noon) or evening sessions (6 PM to around 9–10 PM). It isn’t just about having a fun trip, it’s about creating a meaningful one that stays with them long after its end.
- If you could leave one message for travellers before they step into the wild with you, what would you hope they carry in mind through the journey?
I always hope travellers bring their curiosity, their love for nature, and their desire to understand it better. Our trips aren’t meant to rush anyone from point A to point B. We stop often, we talk, we observe because the journey itself holds as much value as the destination.
If I could leave them with one message afterward, it would be: caring for nature is a shared responsibility, and every bit of awareness helps.
What stays with me the most is seeing people return from our trip carrying a spark of joy. Our trips are all about nature, what lives within them, and how we can care for it.
