The Orangutans of Borneo

The jungles of Indonesian Borneo, or Kalimantan, are one of the last strongholds of the orangutan, the great red ape found only here and on Sumatra. The classic experience is at Tanjung Puting National Park, where visitors cruise the jungle rivers aboard a traditional wooden klotok houseboat, sleeping on deck under the stars, to reach rehabilitation feeding stations and glimpse these gentle, endangered apes in the wild, along with proboscis monkeys and gibbons.

What you actually see

• The orangutans - the great red apes at feeding stations and in the wild.
• The klotok river cruise - the traditional houseboat through the jungle.
• The rehabilitation centres - Camp Leakey and the feeding platforms.
• The wider wildlife - the proboscis monkeys, gibbons and birds.

When to go

The drier months, roughly May to September, are most comfortable for the river trip, though orangutans can be seen year-round; the feeding-station times are the most reliable for sightings. It is hot and humid throughout.

Honest expectations

Orangutans are endangered, largely by deforestation for palm oil, so this is bittersweet as well as wonderful; choose responsible operators supporting conservation. Sightings at the wild feeding stations are likely but never guaranteed. It is hot, humid and buggy, and the klotok boats are simple, sleeping on deck. Reaching it takes flights and time.

Nearby

Pangkalan Bun is the gateway; the wider forests of Borneo spread around, shared with Malaysia.