3D2N Orangutan River Safari with Female Guides | Small Boat, Great for Solo or Couple!

3D2N Borneo Houseboat Adventure with Orangutans and Jungle Wildlife

5.0

|4 Reviews

DURATION

3 days 2 nights

Booking type

Private trip

MEET UP

Free pick-up

Group size

Up to 8 guests

Experience Highlights
Itinerary
Inclusions
Accommodation
Availability
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Host
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Jungle cruise meets orangutans on a cosy houseboat in Borneo’s rainforest
This 3-day houseboat journey through Tanjung Puting National Park takes you deep into one of the best places in the world to see orangutans in the wild. Cruise along the quiet waters of the Sekonyer River, past lush rainforest and wildlife-rich banks. You’ll visit three iconic orangutan feeding stations — each with its own energy, characters, and stories, from dominant kings to unexpected baby orangutan real dramas.What makes this experience truly special is the crew. Many of them are local women — guides, cooks, and captains’ daughters — who’ve been trained through grassroots efforts to create more opportunities for women in tourism. They take care of you with genuine warmth and attention, creating a space that feels both professional and personal.You’ll sleep in comfort on a traditional wooden boat (no engine running at night), dine on freshly cooked meals, and have the option to join your onboard cook for an intimate look at traditional Kalimantan recipes using rare herbs and ingredients. Evening jungle walks offer a chance to spot glowing mushrooms, tarantulas, and other nocturnal life.This is a slow, grounded experience for travellers who want more than a quick look — it’s about stories, connection, and seeing what responsible tourism can really look like in action.What to ExpectSpot wild and semi-wild orangutans at three distinct feeding stations: Tanjung Harapan (with semi-wild individuals and fascinating social dynamics), Pondok Tanggui (young, newly released orangutans), and Camp Leakey (more dominant, wild-acting orangutans)Witness real orangutan behavior, from dramatic interactions to unique personalities like Mickey, Aprilia, and the kings Jacob and RogerGo on an evening jungle walk with your guide — a short, easy trail where you might see tarantulas, glowing mushrooms, snakes, and insects (bring long sleeves and mosquito protection!)Enjoy two nights on a private, mid-size houseboat with fan-cooled cabins, a shared bathroom, clean linens, and thoughtful crew support (life jackets, first aid kit, cold towels, and drinks after the trek)Eat freshly prepared meals on board, and get the chance to join the optional cooking sessions led by the houseboat’s local cook — try unique authentic Kalimantan dishes!Travel with a young female guide who’s attentive and friendly, using a tablet to share wildlife facts and orangutan stories throughout the tripNo internet or phone signal in the park — a great chance to unplug and fully immerse in natureGood to KnowDuration: 3 days and 2 nights — best to arrive before 12pm on the first dayIncludes airport pick-up and drop-off, so no stress about transportAll meals, drinks, park entrance fees and guide service included – just bring your raincoat, mosquito repellent, and torchGuides are highly experienced and attantive to solo or female travellersLow-impact tourism: part of your fee supports local women and children’s initiativesThe trekking to feeding stations is light and manageable (around 20 minutes on mostly flat terrain)Not an open-air sleeping boat; sleeping area is covered and fan-cooledThere is no internet or mobile signal inside the national parkExpect high humidity and mosquitoes – long sleeves and bug spray recommendedPlease respect local customs: no alcohol is permitted in the parkPower on the boat is limited (solar) – bring a power bankAmenities/facilitiesPrivate wooden houseboat (‘klotok’) with Western toilet and onboard showerMattress, bedding & mosquito netsLocal chef onboard — all meals provided, with dietary adjustments possibleEnglish-speaking guideFiltered water, tea, coffee & snacks available throughoutElectricity (during the day)NotesWhile most of our guides are female, male guides may be assigned during peak seasons due to limited availability. If you are a solo female traveler or prefer a female guide, please let us know in advance.Peak/Busy Season in Tanjung Puting National Park runs from mid-June to mid-September due to Summer Holiday. During this busy period, we strongly recommend booking your houseboat tour by May, or at least one month in advance, to ensure availability. Tanjung Puting is open year-round, and if your travel dates are flexible, we highly suggest visiting during the shoulder or low season. You'll enjoy a quieter experience and may find more wildlife sightings without the crowds.Optional Add-On on Cooking Experience on the Bigger Boat! You’ll get to join the houseboat’s female cook for 2 sessions over the 3 days. These are held in the boat’s lower kitchen deck. You’ll learn how to prep traditional dishes using seasonal ingredients like tempoyak, lempara berries, and turmeric flowers. It's a glimpse into Kalimantan home cooking. Please check our other listing for more information here

Experience highlights

Grassroots-trained woman guide

Guide shares orangutan stories

3 orangutan feeding stations

What You’ll be Doing

Day 1:

Orangutan feeding & river cruise with wildlife spotting on Sekonyer River

Day 2:

Orangutan feedings at Pondok Tanggui & Leakey Camps, overnight on kelotok houseboat

Day 3:

Visit Sekonyer village, then transfer to Kumai and onwards to hotel or airport

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What’s Included

Transfer in-out from airport or hotel

Standard Houseboat equipped with shower and western toilet

Entrance fee to the National Park

English speaking guide

Meals on board as mentioned in the itinerary

Beverages and local chef service during the tour

Contribution to local kids’ education and women community

Fuel and clean water during the tour

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Who you’re supporting

Community Champion

Women-led Wonder

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Where You’ll Sleep

Houseboat

8 persons

Shared Spaces

Entire Place

Sleeps 8 in total

1 bedroom

2 bathrooms

Next Available Dates

Prices shown in USD

Select Time for 01 Jun 2025

Additional Information

Where we'll meet

Start Point

Free pick-up from Pangkalanbun Airport or Hotel(Pangkalan Bun, Indonesia)

Start time is flexible. Do let us know which time you prefer
Notes: If you are staying in Pangkalanbun, pick up time will be at 8am. Please choose flight arriving time before 12pm

End Point

End at Start Point(s)

Start & ends

You can choose any start time. Just let your host know after booking.

Suitability / Accessibility

Vegetarian food available
Halal food available
Child Friendly (No Minimum Age)

Cancellation & other policies

Cancellation
To secure your spot, your host will turn away other guests. Because of this, cancellations aren't allowed.
Reschedule Policy
Cancellation Policy Cancellations made by participants for personal reasons will incur a cancellation fee. Please note that due to the current ticketing system, tickets are generally non-refundable. However, rescheduling is possible if requested at least one month before the tour date.

What to Pack

Binoculars (great for wildlife spotting)
Camera with great zoom with extra memory card and batteries
Clothing:
Comfortable walking shoes and sandals
Flashlight or headlamp
Folded fan
Light jacket or sweater for cooler nights
Lightweight, breathable clothing (preferably quick-dry)
Long-sleeved shirts and long pants (for sun and mosquito protection)
Mosquito repellent (spray works better than lotion)
Personal medicine or first aid kit
Power bank
Rain poncho or waterproof jacket
Refillable water bottle
Snacks or special dietary items (if needed)
Socks (extra pairs to stay dry and avoid mosquito bites)
Sunglasses and wide hat
Sunscreen
Toiletries & Personal Items
Toothbrush, toothpaste, biodegradable soap/shampoo
Travel documents and some cash (Rupiah) for tips
Waterproof dry bag (for electronics and valuables)
Wet wipes or hand sanitiser

From

Rp7.752.000/person

5.0(4)

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Meet your host

Nina and Rini are two local guides from Tanjung Puting National Park who started their own tour company back in 2015 after years of guiding travellers through the heart of Borneo. With experience going back to 2010, they’ve built something thoughtful and community-focused. Their team is mostly made up of women—friendly, organised, and great with families or solo female travellers. They care deeply about the people and nature around them, and they’ve made conservation and community support a key part of how they work. Whether it’s helping visitors connect with local culture or supporting women’s and children’s groups, Nina and Rini bring a lot of heart to what they do.

Experience: 10 years

Speaks: Fluent English

Acceptance rate: 100%

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