Just north of Bali, lies the captivating island of Borneo, also known as Kalimantan. This massive island is actually made up of 3 countries – Indonesia, Brunei and Malaysia and is becoming a popular spot for adventurers looking to explore the area’s rich biodiversity and natural beauty.
It is also one of only two places in the world where you can still see orangutans in the wild. If you are keen to take a walk on the wild side and experience this for yourself, plan your perfect Borneo adventure with our detailed Borneo itinerary.
It’ll give you all the information you need to make the most out of your trip and create unforgettable memories of seeing the captivating beauty of orangutans in their natural habitat!
Table of Contents
The Best Time to Visit
The best time of the year to visit Borneo is during the dry season, which typically runs from March to October. This is because the weather is more predictable with less rainfall, making trails through the rainforest more accessible and providing smoother river conditions for the boat cruises. The dry season also offers better visibility for spotting, not just orangutans, but the area’s vast array of wildlife such as proboscis monkeys, gibbons, long-tailed macaques, sun bears, flying foxes, hornbills, kingfishers, saltwater crocodiles and perhaps if you’re really lucky – the elusive clouded leopard!
Between June and August is the fruiting season in Borneo’s rainforests, which is when the orangutans are more active and easier to spot, when they come down from the trees to forage for food. This is definitely the best and most popular time to visit this area of Borneo!
How to Get There
Borneo has a large number of airports – around 20 including major international hubs, as well as smaller domestic airstrips. For those going to see the orangutans, Iskandar Airport in Pangkalan Bun will be your main destination, which is located on the south-west of the island.
If you are travelling directly from Bali, your flight will usually have a layover in either Jakarta or Surabaya. Those flying from Java will be able to book a direct flight to Iskandar Airport from either of these main cities.
Day 1
Fly to Pangkalan Bun and settle-in.
Afternoon/Evening
Check into your hotel and get out and about, exploring the local downtown area for a spot of shopping and souvenir buying at Pasar Indra Kencana. Afterwards, grab a bite to eat and sample the region’s speciality dish Soto Manggala – a chicken or beef broth consisting of vermicelli, egg, carrot, celery, friend onions and served with crackers. A popular place to try this is at Tugu Pangkalan Bun Square. Then head back to your hotel and get a good sleep, ready for an early start the next morning.
Our itinerary will be planned around the 3-day/2-night orangutan tour offered by the company Wow Borneo , however other options for recommended orangutan tour companies are: Varada Borneo and Come2Indonesia
Day 2
Start of the orangutan tour: Pangkalan Bun – Kumai – Tanjung Harapan.
Morning
Enjoy an early breakfast, after which you will be met by tour staff who will provide private transport to the port of Kumai where you will board the traditional Klotok wooden river boat. Chill-out on the upper deck as you set sail and make your way to Tanjung Puting National Park to start your orangutan sightseeing tour!
Afternoon
Get to know your English-speaking guide over lunch who will explain the itinerary for the next two days. You will also have time to unpack in your cosy room onboard the Klotok where you will be spending the next two nights. Afterwards, relax on the top deck and take-in the scenery as you cruise down the river towards your first destination of Tanjung Harapan – a rehabilitation centre for orangutans.
Your guide will lead you on a short walk through the rainforest to the platforms where you’ll hopefully see orangutans enjoying ‘feeding time’. Later in the afternoon, explore the quiet river and see if you can spot proboscis monkeys and hear the gibbon calls as dusk falls.
Evening
Adventurous souls can opt to take a guided night walk into the forest. Keep your eyes peeled for fireflies, tree frogs and maybe even a tarantula lurking in its den. Then enjoy a delicious dinner back on board the Klotok as you’re serenaded by the sounds of nature, before grabbing a good night’s sleep in your cabin.
Day 3
Second day of the orangutan tour: Tanjung Harapan – Sekonyer River – Camp Leakey.
Morning
Wake-up to an early breakfast and hot tea or coffee to get your day started as the Klotok slowly continues to cruise up-river. Catch glimpses of kingfishers swooping and maybe even some cheeky crocs lurking under the surface. Use the binoculars provided to see if you can spy any wild orangutan above the tree-tops.
Afternoon
The journey continues as you turn-off the muddy Sekonyer River into the narrow black canal, nicknamed Coca-Cola River, which will take you towards the next destination – the world-famous Camp Leakey.
Established in 1971, Camp Leakey is a world-renowned orangutan research facility named after Dr Louis Leakey – the mentor of one of the camp’s founders Dr Biruté Galdikas. Other famous researchers who have spent time studying primates at Camp Leakey include Dr Jane Goodall and Dr Dian Fossey.
Enjoy lunch on the boat before taking a sedate walk through the raised boardwalk platforms into the forest and the main orangutan feeding area (be sure to bring your mosquito spray and cover-up your arms and legs!). Afterwards, explore more of this extraordinary place with your guide and look to the trees where you may catch a glimpse of orangutans in their natural habitat!
Head back to the Klotak for a refreshing shower and a relax.
Evening
As the sun sets on the river, continue cruising downstream, spotting animals and birds along the way. Delight in a tasty dinner onboard the boat and perhaps a game of cards before heading to bed.
Day 4
Final day of the orangutan tour: Pondok Tanggui – Pangkalan Bun.
Morning
Wake-up to watch the dawn break over the riverbanks and listen to the chatter of lively gibbons, long-tailed macaques and proboscis monkeys as they play in the trees. After a slow breakfast, you’ll continue to make your way downstream, looping back to the Sekonyer River.
Stop-off at Pondok Tanggui – a rehabilitation centre for ex-captive orangutans. Watch these gentle giants in this beautiful natural setting, then head back to the boat for a final lunch.
Afternoon
After lunch, the crew will drop you off back at Kumai Port where you can organise a transfer back to Pangkalan Bun.
Either return to the same hotel as before, or try-out a new spot in the area. If you have some energy to burn, why not visit Istana Kuning (Yellow Palace) which is over 200 years old.
Evening
Enjoy a leisurely evening walk stretching your legs around the green spaces of Pancasila Roundabout Park and Pangkalan Bun City Park, taking in the local sights.
Day 5
Enjoy a final morning in Pangkalan Bun.
Morning
Most flights from Pangkalan Bun depart in the morning, so you will not have much spare time before you need to leave for the airport. Grab some breakfast at the hotel, or take a final stroll to IKC Cafe which is famous for its aromatic coffee made from local beans. They also serve some good breakfast options too.
Then it’s time to wave goodbye to Pangkalan Bun as you make your way back to Iskandar Airport.
*************************************************
That’s the end of our epic 5-day/4-night Borneo travel itinerary. From cruising the vast rivers, spotting orangutans and trekking through lush rainforests, now you can feel confident exploring this jungle paradise and all the adventure it brings with it!
Accommodation options for staying in Pangkalan Bun
Budget: Arsela Hotel Pangkalan Bun, Almas Guest House Syariah
Mid-range: BRITS Hotel Pangkalan Bun
Luxury: Grand Kecubung Hotel, Mercure Pangkalan Bun
If you’re interested in reading a detailed account of our time spotting orangutans in Borneo, find out more here!
