Review Author: Mara

Review Date: 03 Aug. 2026

Review Body: This was truly an unforgettable experience and one of the highlights of our trip to Indonesia. From the very beginning, Arif was incredibly helpful. Even though we booked quite last minute, he did everything he could to find us a boat and organize the trip. He also provided us with lots of useful information before our departure, making everything smooth and stress-free. The entire staff was wonderful—kind, professional, and always ready to help. A special thank you goes to our guide, Qoriah, who was absolutely amazing. She was incredibly knowledgeable, passionate, and always happy to answer our questions. We learned so much thanks to her, and she made the experience even more memorable. The activities were fantastic. The night trek was exciting, and the day trek to the third feeding station was equally interesting. We were also very lucky to see so many orangutans, as well as many different species of monkeys and other wildlife during the river cruise. One thing I particularly appreciated was the company's commitment to conservation and sustainability. Instead of giving every guest single-use plastic water bottles, they provide a large water dispenser so everyone can refill their own bottles. It may seem like a small detail, but I think it is a very important and responsible choice. Overall, this is an incredible experience that I would recommend to anyone. It is truly one of those once-in-a-lifetime adventures that you will never forget. Thank you again to Arif, Qoriah, and the whole team for making our trip so special!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Sarah

Review Date: 08 Aug. 2026

Review Body: This was an absolutely phenomenal, life-changing tour. We saw orangutans, a saltwater crocodile, false gharials, macaques, proboscis monkeys, silver and red leaf monkeys along with the most amazing birds, insects, and mushrooms. Our guide, Jordan, has an incredible wealth of knowledge on seemingly all living things in the area and a contagious passion for the ecosystem. Our chef, Yana, cooked us up some of the tastiest food we ate in Indonesia and the captain and boat helper made our stay pleasant and ensured we had an incredible view for sightings along the river. We're thankful for being so well taken care of and seeing such incredible nature. Hope we can return in the future!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Elif

Review Date: 05 Sep. 2026

Review Body: This was such a great experience with Orangutan Applause. From the beginning till the end was full of peace, nature, amazing orangutans and monkey culture :) we are very grateful for amazing food and the comfort they provide in our boat, we weren’t expecting this much honestly. They even changed the bedsheets for each day. We ate more than we need every meal because it was really delicious. So much gratitude 🙏 keep the good job and lets appreciate the nature and its beautiful creatures 🫶🦧

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Marjolein

Review Date: 01 Okt. 2026

Review Body: It was an unforgettable experience. The staff on the boat was amazing. Since I don't eat meat, the cook made sure to also make incredible vegetarian food. Our guide Sam was very experienced in spotting the animals and could tell us a lot about the forrest and it's development. The boat was spacious, the toilet very basic, but it's a magical experience to wake up in the middle of the jungle with all it's sounds. Would definitely recommend!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Jacopo Di Vanno

Review Date: 10 Sep. 2026

Review Body: We came back really enthusiastic!!! Everything went very well. The crew was amazing, all kind, gentle and happy people. The activities has been great: we saw lots of animals and we enjoyed the natural forest! Such an amazing experience!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Luuk

Review Date: 26 Juli 2026

Review Body: We had a great trip with Orangutan Applause! Everything was well organized and we have seen a lot of animals. The food was various and amazing. Would recommend this trip!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Jialin

Review Date: 30 Juni 2025

Review Body: One of the best wildlife/nature trips I've done in Southeast Asia!! 12/10 experience. We went during end May and saw 40 orangutans in 4 days! As well as so much other wildlife like rare birds, proboscis monkeys, macaques. Our Seek Sophie guide Guh was the BEST - he was so knowledgable and could answer any questions that we threw at him, and of course, was so good at spotting wildlife. We learnt so many things during these 4 days - like how orangutans are actually solitary creatures, and have a complex social hierarchy. It was sooo interesting (and sometimes funny) to see it all play out - like watching a Nat Geo documentary live! Because we did a 4 day Seek Sophie slowboat instead of the usual 3 days, we were able to go to the feeding stations earlier (to get a good spot) and leave later (to have higher chances of spotting more wildlife). And we got super lucky on our last day - we spotted a huge male orangutan up in the trees while still on the boat! It was extra special because unlike the feeding platforms, sightings like this when you're on the boat are way less guaranteed. Besides spotting a ton of wildlife, we really enjoyed chilling on the boat. No motion sickness because the boat moves really slowly! And because there's no signal, it was a good time to disconnect and just enjoy nature. The boat is not fancy by any means, but it was decently comfortable. The toilet even had a rain shower. Food was also yummy. And the boat crew took the best care of us! Other things that we got to do like tree planting and canoeing down the river in a sampan (small wooden boat) was very peaceful. Appreciated that the tree planting here is legit and not greenwashing - they plant native trees to restore the orangutans' habitat and saw 8 orangutans come to feed in this area! Loved that this whole trip was done super ethically - no touching, feeding or getting close to orangutans. Just observing them in their natural habitat. And we learnt so much about the conservation efforts too. Pro-tip: the sun and mosquitos are relentless so make sure to cover up. I personally wore a sleeveless sports crop top + layered with a thin breathable long sleeve + covered pants + socks + shoes + wide bucket hat + polarised sunglasses.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Dylan B

Review Date: 11 Feb. 2026

Review Body: I highly recommend this trip. It’s a great for photography as there is plenty of space on the klotuk (riverboat) to keep your camera at the ready while you relax and watch the reflections of ancient plants in the river or study it for the snouts of patient crocodiles. I saw more than twenty orangutans, not just at feeding stations but in the trees and swinging between them as well as on the foot trail. Along the river were dozens and dozens of proboscis monkeys, an alpha and his harem of females and kids, plus the rival group of bachelor males vying for their opportunity at procreation. Long tailed macaques brewed up trouble with their playful antics, one made off with our bananas by leaping to the river and swimming across to the other side. A lonely charismatic white cheeked gibbon swung through the trees like a child’s toy. Many birds are visible, lots of kingfisher species and storks and croaking hornbills and other technicolor dream coat varieties flying and singing overhead. The boat is comfortable, much like a house, with plenty of space to store your stuff and a comfy bed to sleep on with a mosquito net. There is your knowledgeable guide, a helpful deck hand, the skilled captain and the cook who made three wonderful meals a day. (Guide Vera, Cook Ira ,Capt Dedet, Boat assistant Agus) They make sure you are very well taken care of. We did short treks (about two hours each) during the day to see animals and plants like pitcher plants or fungi or local medicinal plants, plenty of cool insects, the most colorful and varied butterflies you’re likely to see anywhere, truly kaleidoscopic, giant ants matching, industrious termites, and moths. At night we trek hunted for nocturnal species and found frogs, lizards, spiders and mouse deer. The ammoniac whispers of the nocturnal tarsiers were everywhere. Only the creator who fashioned this rainforest and its denizens via evolution knows what is was truly like over the last hundred million years. But floating along the tea black river will at least give you glimpse of the forgotten eons of time, like shaking the hand of a centenarian and looking into their ancient eyes. Dylan

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Ky

Review Date: 26 Juli 2026

Review Body: This cruise was one of the highlights of our trip to Indonesia. We navigated on a small klotok that was absolutely clean and spotless, which isn't always the case on boats and was immensely appreciated. The boat was comfortable, with a clean shower (even the shower head was spotless!) and a cozy bed with a mosquito net on the upper deck. The crew was fantastic. The captain was very skilled, spotted animals along the way and was always smiling. His assistant was helpful and efficient and kept the boat in perfect condition. The cook, Ira, was very talented : we had some of the best food of our entire trip on board (special mention to the pandan cakes and the sweet potato fritters with brown sugar, which were unforgettable!). Our guide, Tiyo, was energetic, positive and incredibly knowledgeable. He could spot countless animals during the cruise and the different activities, was always enthusiastic and engaged, answered all our questions and did everything he could to help us whenever needed. He was also very patient with my fear of heights and my dislike of some of the bugs we encountered in the jungle :) We met many orangutans, including wild ones, and also saw crocodiles, proboscis monkeys, macaques, spiders, scorpions, snakes and even a tarsier. The evenings on board were peaceful and relaxing, and we loved watching the star-filled sky. The canoe ride through the jungle was absolutely beautiful, surrounded by the sounds of nature. We also took an evening stroll in a nearby village with Tiyo, which we really liked for its peaceful atmosphere. Planting a tree on the last day also felt like a meaningful way to end the experience. A huge thank you to Arif, the entire crew and Tiyo for this unforgettable adventure ! We wish you all the very best.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Tammy Ascher

Review Date: 25 Sep. 2026

Review Body: My husband and I booked a private 4D/3N Klotok boat trip in Indonesian Borneo through Seek Sophie. They arranged our tour with Orangutan Applause and we explored Tanjung Puting National Park. This trip exceeded every expectation! The entire experience was seamlessly organized from booking, pickup, and drop-off thanks to Seek Sophie and Arif & Dessy! Life on the boat was exciting and comfortable. We saw an abundance of wildlife, including spectacular close-up views of orangutans at the feeding platforms (and the cutest babies), and also wild orangutans in the trees along the river (including an alpha male). We also saw countless Proboscis Monkeys and Long-tailed Macaques (they were very entertaining), a few crocodiles, snakes, lizards and a wide variety of birds. Our guide, Vera, was fantastic! She was knowledgeable, attentive, and passionate about the animals and forest conservation. Even though, as a wildlife guide she sees the animals daily, her enthusiasm remained high, and her excitement was contagious. She’s one of the best wildlife guides we’ve ever had! The boat crew was equally fantastic! Our captain, Ian (Eyon sp?) and deckhand, Danu kept us safe and always positioned the boat perfectly for wildlife viewing. Chef Lili prepared delicious local Indonesian meals. We especially loved the whole fish and pumpkin soup! There was literally more food than we could eat! This was truly an unforgettable trip! Thank you to the entire teams at Seek Sophie & Orangutan Applause for making our trip so special!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Erfy Arriany

Review Date: 30 Juni 2025

Review Body: When I decided to go on a 4D3N slow boat cruise through Tanjung Puting National Park, I honestly didn’t expect to fall in love with the place. It wasn’t the most comfortable or luxurious trip (we were sweating buckets most of the time, and even a cold towel felt like a five-star treat), but if you love disconnecting and being in nature, this trip is such a treat. And I really appreciated being off-grid - no signal, just the sounds of the jungle and the river! One of the biggest highlights for me was of course the orangutans. My last encounter with them was at the zoo. So to see them in the wild, where they truly belong, was surreal. You’re not guaranteed to see one of the dominant males, but when I saw King Roger calm, powerful, and completely at home in the trees — I was like… daaaamn. What a privilege it is to see him in his natural habitat. Honestly, the more time I spent in the park, the more I was reminded of how important it is to be mindful about the companies and organisations we support when it comes to eco-tourism. Coexisting means learning to respect space, set boundaries, and accept that animals deserve a home just like we do. And big shout out to the boat crew! Always making sure we were well-fed, and pampering us with little touches like cold wet towels and a bottle of Coke after our wildlife walks (which were very well needed and appreciated). It's those thoughtful details that really made the experience extra comfortable.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Yun Hua

Review Date: 30 Juni 2025

Review Body: I honestly didn't expect to enjoy this trip as much as I did, especially since it’s not usually the kind of adventure I’d go for, but I wanted to try something different. And it turned out to be such a great experience! My favourite parts were definitely the peaceful river cruises and just chilling on the boat. Tree planting was also a meaningful highlight - we even got to personalise and name our own tree, which was a nice touch. And of course, seeing wild orangutans and monkeys up close was super cool. You really feel like you're in their world. Sleeping on the boat was actually way better than I expected. It was cool at night, the mosquito nets worked well, and I managed to get good rest. I was pleasantly surprised food-wise. The meals were tasty and filling for a houseboat. Also, I usually get motion sickness pretty easily, but the boat was stable and moved slowly along the river, so it was very manageable. Our Seek Sophie guide was fantastic too — knowledgeable, friendly, and made the trip smooth from start to end. If you’re thinking of going, just be prepared that it’s a bit of a “roughing it out” kind of experience. No signal, cold water for showers, limited power for charging. Would also recommend bringing a small fan for the hikes. But if you're up for an adventure, it's well worth it. Definitely recommend!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Natasha & Alex

Review Date: 27 Sep. 2026

Review Body: Amazing must do experience! We loved every minute of the trip! I booked and was worried about the comfort of the klotok and safety in the jungle, but everything was way above our expectations. The klotok was spotless, bathroom had everything we needed, shower is cool water and refreshing. Food is amazing and varied, our chef Tarmi is so talented. After excursions, we would come back to cold towels, cold cokes and snacks. The bed sheets we changed everyday. Sleeping was comfortable, not too hot and you’re covered with mosquito net. Our captain (Halim) stopped the boat multiple times when wildlife was spotted. Our guide Tiyo was very knowledgeable and fun. He also prioritized safety and was prepared when I wasn’t feeling well, even had an oxygen monitor on board to monitor vitals. Of course the wildlife was the star, it’s very special to see them in their natural habitat and see how much the locals care for them. There were active forest fires in the national park on our last night, the team kept us safe and handled it well. - Bring: bug spray, sunscreen, anti-nausea meds (boat rocks), travellers diarrhea meds - we went in September: very dry season, no need for leech socks or rain jacket because of el niño. guide said almost no malaria.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Lina

Review Date: 20 Apr. 2025

Review Body: I have visited a few places around South East Asia where you can see orangutans (Leuser National Park in Sumatra, Kinabatangan River in Sabah and Semenggoh in Kuching) and this place by far was the most impressive in terms of abundance of wildlife. Not only did we see orangutans at the feeding platforms where it's a fairly high probability, but also loads along the river banks. In addition to orangutans we also saw loads of proboscis monkeys and macaques. Plenty of hornbills and kingfishers and even a quick glance of a crocodile. I would also highly recommend Dessy's and Arif's team for this trip as their company focuses on slow cruising letting visitors enjoy wildlife in their natural habitat. We ended up seeing more orangutans eating in the trees than we could count! We did get lucky with fruiting season as it was happening during our visit in mid April (but it can vary!) The guides are incredibly knowledgable, full of stories of the local orangutan lives and behaviours. The crew is super friendly and the food is very good! Do be prepared for the boat trip. Although relaxing, it is exposed to the elements so do bring bug spray, sun protection and change of clothes (for hot, wet and cooler weather). Highly highly recommend!!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Destiny Venable

Review Date: 19 Sep. 2026

Review Body: The Orangutan Applause tour was the best tour I have ever been on. Arif was very accommodating and flexible with my requests. When I wanted to stay at the Rimba Ecolodge overnight instead of aboard the klotok boat, he worked with my flight schedule and the hotel to ensure a smooth experience. I felt like I barely needed to lift a finger. His crew that run the boat during the tour, the cook, deck hand, captain, and tour guide were absolutely outstanding. Above and beyond the amazing scenery and wildlife experiences (i.e. orangutans, monkeys, crocodiles, rare hornbill birds, beautiful insects), I will have lifetime memories of this trip because of the crew. The meals were some of the best of my life, the deckhand and captain were very kind and experienced on the water, and the tour guide was an expert on the national park. I could tell he loved sharing his island, traditions, culture, and knowledge with visitors. He even performed traditional rain forest music from his village. His love for Borneo made me see just how special this place is. On top of contributing to the conservation of orangutans and the rain forest, your money is going to the local small business that makes it possible. I already want to go back.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Sean O’Reilly

Review Date: 01 Okt. 2026

Review Body: This was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever experienced. We did 4D3N and expected it to be great, but it exceeded those expectations. We were greeted by our guide Uri at the airport who helped us into our taxi, and from that point forward everything was taken care of. They brought us to the boat where we met our crew and had a delicious breakfast waiting, showed us our bed and accommodations, then we set sail shortly after. Within the first day we saw many orangutans, monkeys, snakes, and bugs. That only continued throughout the next few days. The bed was comfortable, the boat was very well laid out for relaxation and sight seeing, and the food was phenomenal. Seriously it’s like we had a 5 star chef, we actually gained weight throughout the stay. A few recommendations if you choose this: - power banks for keeping electronics charged - binoculars (we used them so often) - strong bug spray - good hiking shoes and hat for protection - portable battery powered fan (it can get hot, you’re in the jungle after all) Overall this was a 10/10 experience and I will be recommending it to all of my friends family. Thank you Uri and crew for an amazing time.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Paula

Review Date: 20 Apr. 2025

Review Body: What a beautiful experience!!! Can’t say enough about this trip. Communication with the owner and staff was second to none. We were treated meticulously from start to finish, picking us up at the airport at the beginning to personally taking us to our hotel on our return. Our guide Vera was so friendly and enthusiastic and so much fun by giving us her “fun facts on birds, crocodiles, primates and bird nest houses to mention a few. We learned so much not only about the orangutan but Indonesia and their culture. The food was some of the best we have had in the country and many courses and snacks. More than enough for us. The captain and his right hand managed the riverboat safe and smooth. Staff were always looking for wildlife to show us. They truly love their job and it shows! We saw wild orangutan not only at the feeding stations, went on a night walk which was amazing. The ranger was very kind and knowledgeable about the forest and its inhabitants. The bed on the boat was comfortable and the loungers worked great for spotting with our binoculars. Thanks so much to the owners for giving us the trip of a lifetime!! Mike & Paula from Canada.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Alex and Layla

Review Date: 28 Okt. 2025

Review Body: An experience of a lifetime! We had the most amazing trip last week, we could not have asked for more. Our tour guide Teguh was brilliant - he was so knowledgeable and was always eager to share facts and stories about everything that we saw. The rest of the crew were also superb, the food was amazing, the boat was always clean and the captain was very good at stopping in the perfect spot to view wildlife along the river. The Seek Sophie reps that were there to greet us on arrival and wave us off at the end were very welcoming. The activities were nicely spread out across the 4 days so that there was plenty of time to relax and cruise along the river but also lots for us to do and see. We were super lucky with the wildlife that we saw and a lot of that was down to the crew spotting them from the boat - they are all so talented. The whole national park is set up with the welfare of the orangutans in mind and the tourism provides a large chunk of the funding for the national park. So there is no uneasy feelings about the animals, they are being really well looked after. 100% book this trip if you are having any doubts!!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Paul

Review Date: 17 Juli 2025

Review Body: We have just finished a 4d3n river boat tour with Orangutan Applause, which was incredible. We are a family of 4, 2 children aged 11 & 13, and were slightly worried how they would cope saying goodbye to creature comforts, but the boat was brand new, the food was excellent, and the crew did a fantastic job of making it as pleasant as possible! Our guide Guh was very impressive, with a high standard of English, his knowledge of the Orangutans was excellent, being able to identify all of them individually, but he also knew so much about the rainforest in general. Doing the 3 night tour meant we were able to take the trip at a relaxed pace, taking time to spot wildlife as we cruised up the river to the national park feeding stations, which felt like a real advantage. The night walk through the rainforest and canoeing down one of the tributaries were real highlights. The trip was very well organised, with the company being really helpful over some last-minute changes to our travel plans due to illness. I have only got good things to say about this trip, if you’re thinking of booking it, do it!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Paul Pan

Review Date: 30 Juni 2025

Review Body: This was an amazing and rewarding adventure that I thoroughly enjoyed. We were incredibly lucky with wildlife sightings — over 40 orangutans, including massive alpha males! Honestly felt like we were on a live David Attenborough episode. Big shoutout to our Seek Sophie guide, Guh, and the boat crew. They were such a huge part of what made the experience special. Super passionate, knowledgeable, and always went the extra mile. The food on the boat was another unexpected win — tasty and varied, especially considering it was all cooked on a tiny houseboat kitchen. And while the setup is definitely basic, sleeping on the boat was surprisingly comfy. Mosquitoes and flies were manageable (though there were quite a few flies during dinner at night which can't be avoided because you're in the wild) Canoeing into the quieter parts of the river was a peaceful highlight, and I’m so glad we ventured deeper into the national park — it felt like we were truly off the beaten path. My personal tip for photographers/videographers: charging ports are limited on the boat, so pack extra battery packs

Review rating: 5

Itinerary Day 1

Itinerary Summary: Wildlife cruise, orangutan observation site in Tanjung Puting National Park

Itinerary Description: 9:00AM Pick up from your hotel or airport depends on your arrival time and drive to the harbour in Kumai where the houseboats are docked 9:30AM Board the houseboat and set off for Tanjung Puting National Park and start the day with a satisfying breakfast 10:00AM Enter the national park area and cruise slowly through the national park, enjoying the wildlife along the way 12:00PM Lunch is served while you cruise, but also possible to anchor if time permits 1:30PM Dock at Tanjung Harapan, the first orangutan observation site and take a short walk through the jungle 15:00PM Arrive at the observation site and enjoy watching all the orangutans come out of the jungle to feast on fruits 5:00-6:00PM River cruise, wildlife spotting 7:30PM Dinner on the boat 8:30PM Relax for the night Please note that timings may vary depending on the group’s pace and on-ground conditions.

Itinerary Day 2

Itinerary Summary: Cruise, short trek, Camp Leakey visit, and candlelit dinner on the houseboat

Itinerary Description: 8:00AM Breakfast is served while you start cruising down the river to watch for wildlife, today is all about taking it slow along the river 11:30AM Lunch is served along the river on the boat 12:30PM Arrive to Camp Leakey station. Choose between a quick 1.5km walk to the feeding station or a low intensity 5km trek, which takes about 1.5 hours. 2:00PM Arrive at the Camp Leakey observation site and observe the orangutans coming in for their lunch 3:00PM Head back to the houseboat and relax 5:00-6:00PM River cruise, wildlife spotting, and sunset hunting 6:00-7:00PM Head back out into the forest to explore the critters of the night during a short night walk, before dinner time (optional) 7:00PM Enjoy a candle lit dinner on the boat and unwind for the night Please note: The night walk is an optional add-on activity and may take place on either the first or second night, depending on weather conditions and your flight schedule, as these may affect the overall itinerary. Timings may also vary depending on the group’s pace and on-ground conditions.

Itinerary Day 3

Itinerary Summary: Orangutan viewing, village visit, wildlife cruise, return to Kumai and depart for the airport

Itinerary Description: 07:00AM Start the day with a delicious breakfast and start cruising Heading downstream to Sekonyer Village. If time permits, you can also visit the village for a short walk. It’s a great opportunity to observe the daily life of the locals, see traditional wooden boats lined along the canal, and interact with local children. There is also a small souvenir shop offering handmade crafts by local artisans. Enjoy your morning coffee on the boat as you cruise along the river. If you’re lucky, you may spot orangutans foraging in the trees along the riverbank—an incredible experience. You might also see long-snouted crocodiles basking in the sun when the weather is good. After departing Kumai, you will be transferred to Pangkalan Bun. Feel free to request a quick stop at a local souvenir shop for orangutan-themed gifts before continuing to your next destination. Please note that during the peak season (June–September), all tours typically conclude around 08:00 AM after breakfast. Outside of this period, the schedule will follow your flight timing. Kindly note that timings may vary depending on the group’s pace and on-ground conditions.