Tanjung Puting National Park, in Central Kalimantan on the Indonesian side of Borneo, is one of the most atmospheric places to see orangutans. Visitors travel up the Sekonyer River on a klotok, a traditional wooden houseboat, eating and sleeping on deck while proboscis monkeys call from the riverbanks. The park is famous for Camp Leakey, a research station founded in 1971 by primatologist Biruté Galdikas.
At a glance
| Best time | May to October (dry season) |
| Getting there | Fly to Pangkalan Bun, then a short drive to Kumai harbour |
| Time needed | 3 days and 2 nights on a klotok |
| Big draws | Orangutans, Camp Leakey, klotok boat life, proboscis monkeys |
| Good for | Primate lovers, families, slow travel |
Orangutans
- The park protects one of the largest wild populations of Bornean orangutans. See our Bornean orangutan profile.
- Visitors watch orangutans at feeding stations such as Tanjung Harapan, Pondok Tanggui and Camp Leakey, where rangers put out bananas and milk. Many of the orangutans that come are ex-captives or their descendants, but they live free in the forest.
- Feeding stations guarantee close views, though some people prefer the idea of seeing orangutans without feeding. The number of visitors can be high in the peak season.
Camp Leakey
Founded by Biruté Galdikas, Camp Leakey is one of the longest-running orangutan research sites in the world. It has an information centre and a feeding platform, and dominant males sometimes appear.
Other wildlife
Proboscis monkeys, gibbons, long-tailed macaques, estuarine crocodiles, hornbills, kingfishers and, at night, fireflies lighting up the riverside trees.
Life on a klotok
- Klotoks have a lower deck for the crew and kitchen and an upper deck where guests eat, relax and sleep on mattresses under mosquito nets.
- Meals are cooked on board, and trips include a guide, captain and cook.
- Options range from basic boats to comfortable private klotoks with en-suite bathrooms.
When to go
- May to October: the dry season; drier trails and good wildlife. July and August are the busiest.
- November to April: wetter, with fewer visitors. Wild fruit can mean fewer orangutans at feeding stations.
Getting there
Fly to Pangkalan Bun (via Jakarta or Semarang), then drive about 20 minutes to Kumai, where klotoks depart.
Responsible tips
- Keep at least 10 metres from orangutans and never touch or feed them.
- Do not visit if you are ill; orangutans catch human diseases.
- Choose operators who employ local guides and manage waste responsibly.
- Avoid plastic and keep noise down near feeding stations.
Frequently asked questions
Are the orangutans in Tanjung Puting wild? They live freely in the forest, but many at the feeding stations are ex-captives or their descendants, and they are partly habituated.
How long should a klotok trip be? Three days and two nights is ideal, allowing visits to all three main feeding stations.
Is Tanjung Puting suitable for children? Yes, the klotok experience is gentle and families enjoy it.
How much does a klotok trip cost? It varies widely with boat size and comfort. Private trips are more expensive than shared ones; ask operators for current prices.
Related guides
- Borneo wildlife guide: where to see orangutans
- Kinabatangan River cruise guide
- Gunung Leuser: Sumatran orangutans
- Animal profiles: Bornean orangutan, Proboscis monkey
Cover photo: Nanosanchez, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons