Tucked away in the dense rainforests of Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, Tanjung Puting National Park is a magical place where wild orangutans swing from tree to tree, proboscis monkeys leap across riverbanks, and traditional klotok boats glide through jungle-lined rivers.
For wildlife lovers, this park is not just a destination—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime journey into the heart of Borneo’s natural wonders.
This complete guide will cover everything you need to know before visiting, including how to get there, tour options, what to expect, wildlife you’ll see, history, and insider tips so you can plan your trip like a pro.
🌍 Introduction to Tanjung Puting National Park
- Location: Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo
- Size: ± 415,000 hectares (over 4,000 km²)
- Established: 1982 as a national park, but protected since the 1930s
- UNESCO Status: Recognized as part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves
The park is a mix of peat swamp forests, mangroves, lowland dipterocarp forests, and coastal habitats—home to over 220 bird species, 9 primate species, and more than 200 species of fish.
🕰 A Brief History
Tanjung Puting first gained global attention in the 1970s, when Canadian primatologist Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas began her groundbreaking orangutan research here. She established Camp Leakey, which is still active today as both a research center and a rehabilitation site for orphaned or rescued orangutans.
Today, Tanjung Puting is one of the best places in the world to see wild orangutans up close in their natural habitat.
🛫 How to Get to Tanjung Puting
The journey to Tanjung Puting is part of the adventure.
- Fly to Pangkalan Bun (Iskandar Airport – PKN)
- From Jakarta (CGK): ± 1.5 hours
- From Surabaya (SUB): ± 1.5 hours
- From Semarang (SRG): ± 1.5 hours
- Airlines: Nam Air, Wings Air, Citilink
- Drive to Kumai Harbor
- 20 minutes from the airport to the small port town of Kumai, where most tours begin.
- Board Your Klotok Boat
- The klotok is a traditional wooden riverboat, usually 2 levels—sleeping deck on top, kitchen and crew area below.
- Your multi-day river journey starts here, heading along the Sekonyer River into the park.
🛶 The Klotok Boat Experience
A klotok trip is more than transport—it’s part of the adventure.
Life on Board:
- Sleep on an open deck with mattresses, pillows, and mosquito nets
- Freshly cooked Indonesian meals served by the crew
- Wake up to gibbon calls and mist rising off the river
- No internet—just pure jungle immersion
📍 Main Attractions & Camp Stops
1. Camp Leakey
- Established in 1971
- Afternoon feeding sessions at 14:00
- Great for spotting adult male orangutans and mothers with babies
2. Pondok Tanggui
- Morning feeding at 09:00
- Focuses on rehabilitating young orangutans
3. Tanjung Harapan
- First feeding station inside the park
- Also features a local village and cultural encounters
🐾 Wildlife You Can See
- Orangutans – both wild and semi-wild
- Proboscis monkeys (Bekantan) – rare and endemic to Borneo
- Long-tailed macaques
- Gibbons – their haunting calls echo at dawn
- Hornbills, kingfishers, and eagles
- Crocodiles in quieter stretches of the river
- Occasionally: Sun bears, clouded leopards (very rare)
🕒 Best Time to Visit
- Dry Season (June – September): Best weather, high wildlife activity, peak tourist season.
- Shoulder Season (April–May, October): Fewer crowds, still good weather.
- Wet Season (November – March): More rain, but lush scenery and fewer visitors.
💡 Tip: Book at least 3–6 months in advance for July–August trips.
🛏 Accommodation Options
Onboard the Klotok
- Immersive experience, ideal for nature lovers
- Fall asleep under the stars
Eco-lodges in Kumai or Pangkalan Bun
- More comfort, air conditioning available
Inside the Park
- Limited research station stays for special programs
💰 Costs & Sample Tours
- 3D2N Klotok Tour: IDR 5-7 million per person (3 million for sharing baot)
- 4D3N Klotok Tour: IDR 6–9 million per person
- Price includes: guide, boat crew, meals, park entry, and basic accommodation
Sample 3D2N Itinerary:
- Day 1: Kumai → Tanjung Harapan → Proboscis monkey watching
- Day 2: Pondok Tanggui → Camp Leakey
- Day 3: Morning cruise → Return to Kumai → Airport transfer
🎒 What to Pack
- Lightweight long-sleeved shirts & trousers
- Rain jacket
- Insect repellent & sunscreen
- Camera with zoom lens & extra batteries
- Binoculars
- Waterproof bag for electronics
- Comfortable walking shoes or sandals
🌱 Responsible Travel Guidelines
- Keep at least 5 meters from orangutans
- Never feed wildlife
- Avoid touching or making loud noises
- Bring back all trash
- Support local eco-certified tour operators
📌 Quick Facts
- Country: Indonesia
- Province: Central Kalimantan
- Best Trip Length: 3–4 days
- Main Access Point: Kumai Harbor via Pangkalan Bun
- Famous For: Orangutans, klotok cruises, tropical rainforest biodiversity
📝 Final Thoughts
A trip to Tanjung Puting National Park is more than a holiday—it’s an intimate encounter with some of the rarest wildlife on Earth and a chance to experience the timeless beauty of Borneo’s rainforest rivers. Whether you’re here for photography, wildlife watching, or the thrill of adventure, Tanjung Puting will leave you with memories (and photos) that last a lifetime.
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