Original
Expeditions
Wildlife
Indonesia Expedition: Orangutans of Kalimantan
12 Days | Embark on an authentic Indonesian orangutan expedition
4.7
Excellent
15 reviews
12 days
Start
Jakarta, Indonesia
Finish
Jakarta, Indonesia
Trip Code
TISW
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - null
Physical Rating
Meals
11 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 4 dinners
Transport
Plane, Taxi, Klotok boat, Canoe, Private vehicle
Accommodation
Hotel (6 nights), Ecolodge (3 nights), Resort (1 night), Longhouse (1 night)
From £1,980(12 days)
Trip Informations
Go in search of the gentle giants of the Borneo jungles – the elusive orangutan – on a 12-day wildlife expedition. Kalimantan, the Indonesian portion of Borneo, is teeming with jungles to explore, cultures to learn, and welcoming people to have a laugh with – and your wildlife expedition will be so much more than that. Staying in comfortable eco-lodging and a traditional longhouse in the heart of the jungle, go out in search of orangutans and learn about how the local communities’ conservation efforts have ensured that these creatures, along with other endemic wildlife, continue to thrive in this slice of jungle paradise. Share in the wonder of an untouched Borneo before others find out about it, with a unique opportunity to spot orangutans in their natural habitat.
Why you’ll love this trip
Travel aboard a traditional klotok boat, traversing the winding rivers in Tanjung Puting National Park in search of local and endemic wildlife, including the elusive orangutan.
Learn about the organisation working to rescue, rehabilitate and release these critically endangered animals at the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF).
Appreciate a truly local experience in Tumbang Malahoi village with a stay in a longhouse. Receive a welcoming blessing ceremony and enjoy a night of eating and dancing with local families.
Head out on a canoe safari in Sebangau National Park, searching for orangutans, proboscis monkeys, macaques, monitor lizards, hornbills, kingfishers, and – if you’re lucky – clouded leopards!
Discover Indonesia’s central metropolis in Jakarta and the up-and-coming city of Palangka Raya, with plenty of free time in both to explore at your own pace.
By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Tuuur Foundation partner, Coral Triangle Center Foundation. Donations help expand their coral restoration project and support their educational outreach activities for local schools in Nusa Penida.
Is this trip right for you?
This trip takes you to a part of Borneo not often visited by foreign travellers and is ideal for those who have been to Indonesia previously and are keen to explore more. Each day is an adventure, and we filled this trip full of diverse wildlife experiences of Borneo which are impossible to find on any other trip. Please note that there is no guarantee of seeing wildlife on specific days of this journey, as you will be visiting national parks with endemic and rare species. Your expert guides will provide the best opportunity to see wildlife along the way, but as to be respectful to your environment, you may have a day or two simply admiring the jungle around you.
Sometimes you’ve got to rough it to get amongst it. While most of the accommodation on this trip is tourist class, there will be some very basic accommodation during the overnight stay in the longhouse. All bedding and mattresses are provided, plus mosquito nets to sleep under.
Some of the best scenery is found deep in Borneo’s jungles, which can be quite steamy, muddy and, at times, slippery. In order to experience the splendour of the diverse landscapes and waters, the included activities on this trip often require a moderate level of fitness. We ask that you read the Essential Trip Information and itinerary carefully to ensure that you will be able to participate fully.
Temperatures and humidity can be high in Indonesia, especially when walking around the jungles of Borneo where there may be little respite. Be prepared by taking plenty of drink breaks and wearing appropriate skin protection.
This trip has some long travel days by private vehicle, including on bumpy local roads. It's not unusual for journeys to take longer than estimated and travel times to vary from one departure to the next. Extra space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped. It’s all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
The longhouse stay is a wonderful opportunity to witness everyday rural life and includes a home-cooked dinner. Facilities are simple and multi-share but comfortable, with mattresses, bedding and mosquito nets all provided. Some travellers are nervous about the experience before they arrive, but we find most end up naming this as a highlight of their time and a rewarding, authentic experience. Other accommodation is in no frills, simple guesthouses and hotels, perfect for travellers on a budget. On occasion our accommodation may not have hot water, but you will probably be keen to cool down from the heat with a refreshing cold shower!
Itinerary
Inclusions
Meals
11 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 4 dinners
Transport
Plane, Taxi, Klotok boat, Canoe, Private vehicle
Accommodation
Hotel (6 nights), Ecolodge (3 nights), Resort (1 night), Longhouse (1 night)
Activities
Tanjung Puting NP - Tanjung Harapan orangutan feeding station
Tanjung Puting NP - Klotok boat cruise
Tanjung Puting NP - Camp Leakey
Tanjung Puting NP - Orangutan Feeding Platform 2
Tanjung Puting NP - Tanjung Harapan village visit
Tanjung Puting NP - Pondok Tanggui orangutan feeding station
Sebangau NP - Wildlife ranger walk
Tumbang Malahoi Village - Blessing ceremony
Tumbang Malahoi Village - Traditional dancing
Palangka Raya - Balanga Museum
Tumbang Malahoi Village - Village & jungle walk
Palangka Raya - Sei Gohong River Boat Tour
Palangka Raya - Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation Kaja Island Visit
Dates and availability
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Important notes
1. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking for the flight ticket on this trip. Ticketing fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket.
2. A Single Supplement is available on this trip excluding Days 2-4 (Ecolodge) where you will be in twin share accommodation and Day 8 (Longhouse) which is multishare.
3. To secure Tanjung Puting National Park permits and the flight ticket for this trip, a scanned copy of the personal details page of your passport needs to be sent to your booking agent no later than 45 days before departure. Ticketing fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases, you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket or permit.
Reviews (15)
5 stars
12
4 stars
2
3 stars
1
Marta
Aug 26, 2024
An outstanding trip to get to know the magnificent wildlife of Borneo. The encounters with the orangutans were all magical, in particular the boat trip to the pre-release Kaja island, which half of the group decided to repeat it during our free time at our own cost. And not only we spotted orangutans, but also proboscis monkeys, macaques, kingfishers, storm stork and many more!. The guides were all amazing and helped us to see all of them. Besides the wildlife, this trip allows you to learn the Dayak culture and get to know a part of Borneo which is not so touristic. The interaction with the locals in this area is truly special. As mentioned in the trip notes there are some long driving hours included, but this allows you to get to know the real Borneo. I would definitely recommend this trip for all wildlife lovers!
Nicholas
Jul 14, 2024
Excellent immersive adventure that gets well off the Westerners' tourist track to see rural areas, jungle and lots of orangutans and other wildlife. The days crusing the river on a Klotok in Tanjun Puting National Park going to the orangutan centres are superb as is the Dayak Village stay and visit and Orangutan Release Centre visit at the end. It does have a few early starts and travel days but it's all to pack in more wildlife encounters. And Abraham was a great tour leader!
Amanda
Jul 11, 2024
Excellent orangatan focused tour in less touristed area with fun, small group & excellent guide Nova. Tour starts and ends strong, with stay at eco lodge & boat ride to visit feeding stations as well as briefing from BOSF and boat trip around pre-release island. Enjoyable stay in longhouse with warm, welcoming villagers. Tour lags in middle with several days of long drives & limited activities. Good accommodation, meals, & local rangers.
Lesley
Oct 15, 2023
This trip was an adventure indeed ! Abraham was so knowledgeable and we had fabulous experiences with the Orangutans and also learning about village life, deforestation and the challenges for this very interesting country. Loved every minute of it and appreciated the great group of fellow travellers i was fortunate to meet and share this with. One to add to your must do list !
Louise
Oct 13, 2023
Such an amazing trip! Well paced and a great variety of activities. Abraham looked after us all so well, so everything ran smoothly. It was so wonderful to see the orangutans; the rehabilitation efforts are clearly successful, as we saw so many mums with babies and young. For me the absolute highlight of the trip was the optional boat ride around the pre-release islands just outside Palangkaraya; I thoroughly recommend it! The trip wasn't all about the orangutans though, the visit to the Dayak village was excellent too!
Robert
Sep 27, 2023
An amazing adventure to encounter Orangutans and the local ways of life. Varied activities at a good pace = one great experience.
Cameron
Sep 20, 2023
An excellent trip if you want to see the rural areas of Indonesia and are passionate about orangutans. There are lots of boats on the trip which are excellent, and make the trip travel fun!
Espen
Aug 12, 2023
Very nice small group trip to a part of Indonesia which not too many Westerners will visit. This was the very first departure of this trip, but everything run smoothly. The itinerary might need some small changes, though, but that must be expected from a first departure. I highly recommend to join the optional canoe trip to see the islands where Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation’s pre-release program takes place, because that was one of the trip's highlights (the orangutans here felt more natural, as we saw them in the wild and not at the feeding stations, and we didn't share the sight with hundreds of other tourists).
Leon
Aug 08, 2023
Absolutely amazing trip - the wildlife was fantastic, our group leader was great, and we got to see so many different aspects of Kalimantan that I had not expected to see. Highly recommend.
Robert
Jul 26, 2023
Simply brilliant. Well run. Well organised. Saw everything that I was hoping to see plus more (other wildlife)
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