Indonesian Borneo, known locally as Kalimantan, is home to some of the world’s oldest rainforest and one of the last strongholds of wild orangutans. An eco adventure here moves at the pace of the river, drifting through dense jungle on a traditional klotok boat in search of wildlife that exists almost nowhere else on earth.
What Makes Borneo a Unique Eco Destination
Tanjung Puting National Park, the main gateway for Borneo eco tourism, protects one of the largest populations of wild orangutans remaining in Indonesia. Beyond orangutans, the park’s rivers and peat swamp forest support proboscis monkeys, gibbons, hornbills, and an enormous range of plant life found only in this part of the world.
Top Experiences
Orangutan Encounters at Tanjung Puting
Guided visits to feeding stations within the national park offer close, respectful encounters with wild and rehabilitated orangutans, accompanied by rangers who explain the park’s conservation work.
Klotok River Cruise
A multi-day journey aboard a klotok, a traditional wooden houseboat, is the classic way to explore Borneo’s rivers. Days are spent cruising slowly upriver watching for wildlife along the banks, while nights are spent on board under mosquito netting, with the sounds of the jungle close by.
Camp Leakey
Established by primatologist Dr. Birutė Galdikas, Camp Leakey is one of the longest-running orangutan research and rehabilitation sites in the world, and remains a key stop for understanding the species and the threats it faces.
Best Time to Visit
The dry season, from May to September, offers the most comfortable conditions for river travel and wildlife viewing, with lower water levels making animals easier to spot along the riverbanks.
Sustainable Travel Tips
- Choose operators who support local conservation and ranger-led programmes
- Keep a respectful distance from wildlife and follow ranger instructions at all times
- Avoid single-use plastics on river trips, since waste is difficult to manage in remote areas
Planning Your Borneo Eco Adventure
Most itineraries begin with a flight to Pangkalan Bun, the closest airport to Tanjung Puting, followed by two to four days on the river. Because access, permits, and boat availability vary by season, it is worth planning this trip with a specialist who can coordinate the logistics and build the right balance of wildlife viewing and river time for your schedule.
Start Planning Your Borneo Trip
Bespoke Indonesia Holiday can build a Borneo eco adventure into a wider Indonesia itinerary. Browse our Holiday Packages or contact us to arrange your river and orangutan itinerary.