We went as a family because for a while we wanted to do something different and show the kids more than just another hotel and pool. We wanted them to see real wildlife for once. Kids these days spend way too much time on their phones anyway, so this trip actually turned out to be a really good way to pull them out of that for a bit. What I loved most was just watching the orangutans. It’s such a strange feeling when you look at them and realize how much they actually resemble us. And Borneo itself was amazing. You’re slowly moving down the river, jungle everywhere around you, no noise at all… felt like being in a completely different world. At one point I caught myself thinking this is exactly why we love traveling in the first place. Really glad we did this trip as a family.
Borneo Orangutan Tour
Borneo is one of Indonesia’s wildest and least explored destinations. It receives far fewer travelers than the country’s more popular islands, and much of its territory is still covered by ancient rainforest that is considered among the oldest tropical forest ecosystems on Earth. This is a rare opportunity to experience a part of Indonesia where nature still dominates the landscape and mass tourism has barely reached.
The main reason travelers come here is the chance to see orangutans in their natural habitat. Tanjung Puting National Park is one of the world’s best-known conservation areas for these rare primates. It is also home to a major orangutan rehabilitation program, where rescued animals are cared for and, whenever possible, prepared for life back in the wild. Beyond orangutans, the forests of Borneo are home to proboscis monkeys, gibbons, crocodiles, many bird species, and other wildlife that form the island’s unique ecosystem.
Throughout the journey, you will explore the jungle aboard a traditional klotok — a comfortable river houseboat that becomes your base for several days in the heart of the national park. This format allows you to experience the wild nature of Borneo without giving up basic comfort: you travel slowly along the river, watch the jungle from the deck, and wake up surrounded by the sounds of the forest. This tour is not about a standard holiday, but about seeing one of the few places where people still feel like guests in nature.
Tour options:
How it will be
Upon arrival at Pangkalan Bun Airport, you will meet your guide and driver before transferring to the port town of Kumai. The journey takes approximately 20 minutes.
Upon arrival in Kumai, you will board a traditional houseboat, which will serve as your accommodation throughout the expedition. Lunch will be freshly prepared and served on board.
After lunch, your river cruise begins along the Kumai River. After approximately 15 minutes, the boat enters the Sekonyer River — the main waterway of Tanjung Puting National Park.
As you travel deeper into the national park, you will pass through dense tropical rainforest landscapes filled with nipa palms, pandanus, and the characteristic jungle vegetation of Borneo. Wildlife sightings are common from the very beginning of the journey, including numerous bird species, macaques, proboscis monkeys, and occasionally even wild orangutans.
If time allows, around 03:00 PM you will visit the first orangutan feeding station at Tanjung Harapan Camp.
At approximately 04:00 PM, the cruise continues along the riverbanks in search of proboscis monkeys in their natural habitat. These rare primates are endemic to Borneo and can only be found on this island.
In the evening, dinner will be served followed by an overnight stay on board a Deluxe or Super Deluxe houseboat.
After breakfast, the boat continues upriver toward Pondok Tanggui Camp — one of the rehabilitation centers dedicated to orangutan conservation.
At around 09:00 AM, you will visit the morning orangutan feeding session, where you will have the opportunity to observe the animals from close range and take photographs.
The journey then continues toward the famous Camp Leakey — the best-known research center in Tanjung Puting National Park and one of the highlights of the expedition.
Along the route, you will pass through the so-called Black River, an area known for its especially rich ecosystem. This part of the park is home to numerous bird species, primates, fish, and occasionally crocodiles.
Lunch will be prepared and served on board during the journey.
Upon arrival at Camp Leakey, you will take a short jungle trek and visit another orangutan feeding station.
After 04:00 PM, the boat begins its return journey downstream toward the nipa palm forests, where thousands of fireflies appear after sunset and illuminate the riverbanks.
Dinner and overnight stay on board.
After breakfast on board, the boat begins its final journey back downstream to Kumai.
Upon arrival at the port, you will transfer to Pangkalan Bun Airport according to your departure schedule.
Your journey through the jungles of Borneo comes to an end.
Important Information:
during orangutan observation, it is prohibited to touch the animals, approach them without the guide’s permission, or feed them independently, as this violates national park regulations;
all animals live in their natural habitat, therefore encounters with specific species cannot be guaranteed and always depend on nature;
Tanjung Puting National Park is a protected conservation area, so it is important to follow environmental rules and avoid leaving any waste behind during the trip;
orangutans are highly susceptible to human viruses, therefore if you feel unwell, it is important to inform the organizer in advance;
the route and schedule may be adjusted depending on weather conditions and natural factors; however, the overall experience and program content will remain unchanged.
Travelers reviews
We’d wanted to see orangutans for a long time. It was one of those things we kept saying “one day we should do this”, but once we started looking into how to get to Kalimantan by ourselves, it honestly looked like a whole mission 😄 Then we found this trip and thought okay… this is probably the way to do it. And honestly the whole experience felt super different from anything we’ve done before. Just being on a boat in the middle of the jungle already feels unreal. Total silence, sometimes you hear monkeys somewhere in the trees and that’s basically it. And then suddenly you see orangutans right there in front of you… not in a zoo, not behind glass, just living their normal life. Very very cool experience. Definitely one of those trips you sit and think about afterwards like damn… the world is actually huge.
Included
- transfer service from airport — destination — airport
- houseboat accommodation during the river trip
- full board meals during the trip according to the program
- accommodation during the trip (double/twin share basis)
- english-speaking guide during the trip
- entrance permit
- donation for the park
Not included
- airfare tickets and airport taxes
- tipping for the guide
- additional fees for photography, videography, and drone usage permits
- personal expenses
- alcoholic beverages
- additional expenses beyond the program (for example cancelled flights)
- insurance
comfortable shoes for trekking;
swimwear;
light clothing, a hat and sunglasses;
sunscreen and insect repellent;
backpack;
personal medications;
binoculars and a camera with a good zoom/telephoto lens;
money for personal expenses.
your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure from Indonesia
1 air-conditioned cabin (1 double bed + 1 extra bed);
open deck with additional sleeping area (1 double bed);
shared bathroom with shower and western-style toilet;
orthopedic mattresses, pillows, blankets, and towels;
basic toiletries;
individual reading lights;
mosquito nets;
cabin windows with sliding shutters for privacy;
waterproof protective blinds on the open deck for the rainy season.
length: 16 meters;
width: 3.8 meters;
boat material: iron wood;
carrying capacity: 10 tons;
engine: Dongpeng 48 diesel motor;
generator: 2 kW diesel generator;
fuel capacity: 80 liters;
available: life jackets, first aid kit, and fire extinguisher;
fresh water capacity: 2200 liters.
cancellation within 12 hours before departure — 100% cancellation fee;
cancellation within 24 hours before departure — 75% cancellation fee;
cancellation after deposit payment — 25% cancellation fee;
rescheduling is possible with confirmation no less than 30 days in advance;
refunds are made at the exchange rate set by the Bank of Indonesia on the day of payment;
we give a full refund in case the provider can't render the service;
we review the issue of a refund up to 5 calendar days from the date of customer's application;
we provide a refund within 14 calendar days from the date of customer's application.
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