These holidays all feature the Indonesian part of Borneo known locally as Kalimantan. The steamy rainforest, one of the oldest in the world, provides a natural habitat for the majestic orangutan. A short visit to Kalimantan works well with a holiday in the neighbouring island of Java as the diverse nature and remarkable sights of the two destinations make for a wonderful contrast. For the truly intrepid, a more in-depth adventure focussing entirely on Kalimantan can also be arranged.
The most accessible of Kalimantan’s national parks is Tanjung Puting, famous for orangutan conservation and centred around Camp Leakey research centre. Rimba Lodge in the forest offers land-based accommodation from which to explore the park or, as the park is dissected by the Sekonyer River, an alternative is to stay on a private, liveaboard “klotok” boat. From the deck of your private boat you’ll sail upstream, spotting the great ape itself as well as macaques, crocodiles, rare butterflies and birds.
