Gunung Palung National ParkAbout Gunung Palung National Park
Gunung Palung National Park is a protected lowland rainforest area on the island of Borneo in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. It is notable for intact tropical forest habitats and populations of endangered species, particularly the Bornean orangutan.
The park contains extensive rainforest, river systems, and steep terrain favored by field researchers and conservationists. Key attractions include wildlife observation, scientific research stations such as Cabang Panti, and long forest trails.
The area has been the focus of conservation work and ecological research for several decades, with international and local programs studying primates, forest ecology, and habitat protection. Ongoing conservation efforts aim to mitigate threats from logging and land conversion around the park boundaries.
Geographically the park lies on the western part of Borneo in Indonesia’s West Kalimantan province; the nearest regional towns provide access points via road and river transport into the park.
- Biodiversity: Recognized for its lowland dipterocarp rainforest and as a habitat for the critically endangered Bornean orangutan, making it an important site for conservation and scientific research.
- Access: Access typically requires coordination with park authorities or research groups; routes into the park include boat and overland approaches from nearby towns in West Kalimantan.
What to See#
- Cabang Panti Research Station: A long-established field research station that supports biodiversity studies, long-term ecological monitoring, and orangutan research within the park.
Best Time to Visit Gunung Palung National Park
May through October is generally the easier season for access though jungle weather is unpredictable year-round.
Weather & Climate near Gunung Palung National Park
Gunung Palung National Park's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 23°C to 31°C. Heavy rainfall (3150 mm/year), wettest in November.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 23° - 30° | 26° | 321 mm | overcast | 90% | 1.3 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.1h |
| February | Good | 23° - 30° | 27° | 250 mm | overcast | 89% | 1.3 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.1h |
| March | Good | 23° - 30° | 27° | 293 mm | overcast | 88% | 1.3 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Acceptable | 23° - 31° | 31° | 286 mm | overcast | 89% | 1.1 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.0h |
| May | Good | 24° - 31° | 32° | 270 mm | partly cloudy | 89% | 1.2 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.9h |
| June | Good | 23° - 31° | 32° | 214 mm | partly cloudy | 89% | 1.2 m/s | 2.0 very high | 11.9h |
| July | Good | 23° - 31° | 27° | 148 mm | partly cloudy | 89% | 1.3 m/s | 2.0 very high | 11.9h |
| August | Good | 23° - 31° | 27° | 140 mm | partly cloudy | 88% | 1.9 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.0h |
| September | Acceptable | 23° - 31° | 27° | 208 mm | overcast | 88% | 1.6 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.0h |
| October | Acceptable | 23° - 30° | 27° | 309 mm | overcast | 89% | 1.4 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.0h |
| November | Good | 23° - 30° | 27° | 367 mm | overcast | 90% | 1.1 m/s | 2.0 very high | 12.1h |
| December | Good | 23° - 30° | 26° | 344 mm | overcast | 91% | 1.3 m/s | 2.0 very high | 12.1h |
How to Get to Gunung Palung National Park
Gunung Palung is in West Kalimantan near the town of Ketapang and the village of Pematang Gadung. Access is by road from Ketapang followed by local transport; guided treks often include arranged pick-up and park permits.
Tips for Visiting Gunung Palung National Park
- Book a guided Bukit Baka or Cabang Panti research station excursion to learn about conservation efforts and hear how local communities engage with the forest.
- Plan for heavy rain and muddy trails in the wet season; river crossings may be necessary on some trails.
- Respect research station rules - many trails pass through sensitive primate habitat managed by scientists.