Tanjung Puting Park

Address: Tanjung Puting National Park, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia (access via Kumai)

Website: http://tn-tanjungputing.org (park information varies by operator)

Admission: Permits and park fees vary; park entry and camp fees depend on operator

Tanjung Puting is a protected rainforest and peat-swamp area on the southern coast of Borneo in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, covering roughly 4,000 square kilometres and noted for orangutan conservation. It is an internationally recognised site for primate research and rehabilitation.

The park is best known for its orangutan rehabilitation and research centres, riverboat (klotok) wildlife cruises along the Sekonyer River, and sightings of proboscis monkeys, macaques, hornbills and other swamp-forest species. Typical visitor itineraries are multi-day boat trips that include early-morning and late-afternoon feeding/viewing at established platforms.

Long-term fieldwork and rehabilitation activities began around Camp Leakey under primatologist Biruté Galdikas in 1971, and the area has since become a focal point for orangutan conservation and eco-tourism. Facilities and tour infrastructure have grown around the river corridors to support research and visitor access.

The park lies on Borneo’s southern coast, centred on the Sekonyer River and reached by boat from the port at Kumai (near Pangkalan Bun). The landscape is a mix of peat swamp forest, alluvial forest and coastal mangroves.

• Best time to visit: Best visited in the dry season (roughly July to October) when river travel is easier and wildlife is more visible.
• How to get there: Most access is by riverboat from the port at Kumai (near Pangkalan Bun); multi-day klotok trips of 2-4 days are the common way to explore the park.
• Orangutan viewing: Feeding sessions at Camp Leakey and Pondok Tanggui are scheduled and provide reliable orangutan viewing opportunities; follow guide instructions to avoid disturbing animals.

What to See#

• Camp Leakey: Established field research and rehabilitation centre founded by primatologist Biruté Galdikas in 1971; long-term orangutan research, rehabilitation and release programmes are based here.
• Pondok Tanggui: A visitor site with feeding platforms and simple visitor facilities on the Sekonyer River used for regular orangutan feedings and viewing.
• Sekonyer river corridor: A stretch of riverine forest and mangrove accessible by klotok riverboat that is commonly included on multi-day tours through the park.

Most travelers reach Tanjung Puting via Kumai (near Pangkalan Bun). Regular boats (klotoks) and organized tours depart from Kumai port and travel upriver into the national park. Pangkalan Bun has an airport with flights from Jakarta and other Indonesian cities.

• Book a riverboat and lodge (klotok) with a reputable operator to visit Camp Leakey and other primate observation stations.
• Visit during the dry season (July-October) for easier travel on the rivers and more reliable wildlife sightings.
• Bring binoculars and be prepared for long quiet river stretches punctuated by sudden orangutan sightings.