Tanjung Puting National Park: Everything You Need to Know

Tanjung Puting National Park is a lush, biodiverse tropical rainforest located in Central Kalimantan, Borneo, Indonesia. It’s one of the few places in the world where you can see orangutans in the wild. Originally protected in 1936 and declared a national park in 1996, this park is now a UNESCO recognized biosphere reserve and home to thousands of plant and animal species.

It is also home to Borneo Foundation International an organisation founded by Dr Birute Galdikas, for the purpose of orangutan research and conservation efforts. Here you will be able to see both wild and rehabilitated primates along the Sekonyer river and at feeding stations.

A multi day houseboat cruise on the Sekonyer River is the most common way to explore the park. You’ll glide past dense jungle on a traditional houseboat (locally known as klotok), spotting Bornean orangutans, proboscis monkeys, macaques, gibbons, hornbills and so much more. Most itineraries will include visits to feeding stations like the famous Camp Leakey as well as short hikes through the rainforest.

Do note that the houseboats are rather rustic, providing for a basic sleeping arrangements (mattresses on the deck with mosquito nets) with typical amenities including a western style toilet and shower. Most operators will include all meals onboard along with some side excursions such as night treks and canoe rides.

If you love wildlife, this place is a dream. Tanjung Puting is one of the best destinations in the world to see both semi wild and wild orangutans up close while supporting vital conservation efforts. In fact, one of our favourite parts of this destination is how involved the local community is in wildlife conservation, with some tour operators contributing part of their profits to buy back land for orangutan habitat.

This adventure is perfect for nature lovers, eco-travelers, and anyone seeking something meaningful and immersive. It’s great for couples, families with older children (we recommend 10 years and up), and even solo female travelers (there are a few female led companies with women guides!). Be ready for a bit of rustic charm—this isn’t luxury travel, but it’s rich in experience.

Fly into Iskandar Airport in Pangkalan Bun, there are daily flights from Jakarta and Surabaya. Batik Air is your best bet for reliability, however Nam Air also operates this route. From the airport, you will either be picked up by your guide or you can take the official taxi into town. Tours usually start from nearby Kumai, and your tour operator will arrange a transfer from your hotel to the boat.

The dry season from June to September is the most popular time, with pleasant weather and high wildlife visibility. For fewer crowds, consider March to May—especially during fruiting season, when orangutans gather near the river. The rainy season from December to February can be quite wet but still offers a good opportunity to spot these great apes and avoid the crowds.

Most visitors choose a three-day, two-night river cruise, which is enough to visit key sites and soak in the jungle vibes. But we would really recommend taking an extra day and opting for the 4 day, 3 night which allows for a quieter, less rushed experience with more chances to connect with the park’s rhythms and see more wildlife along the river.

Most itineraries will include visiting the three main feeding stations. Tanjung Harapan, Pondok Tangui, and Camp Leakey, named by Dr Birute Galdikas in honor of her mentor, the renowned paleo-anthropologist Louis Leakey, who also mentored Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey, the other great primatologists. At the stations you will be able to see rescued and released orangutans come to collect their breakfast or lunch. These semi wild orangutans continue to partially rely on humans for their full dietary needs after being released into the wild, as a lot of their natural instincts have dulled during their rehabilitation. This does also make for a great opportunity to observe them at a fairly close range.

There are a lot of reforestation projects going on in the area, helping to recover the land formerly owned by palm oil plantations and mining projects. If you would like to contribute, you can opt for an itinerary that includes a tree planting experience.

If you're a foodie, don't miss the opportunity to take away a some lessons from your klotok cook. A few of the boat tours offer cooking classes which will introduce you to the native ingredients of Borneo and how they are used by locals in their dishes. This is also a great way to support the women in the Pangkalan Bun community who have only recently joined the tourism industry as cooks and guides.

Don't go to sleep too early! Head out after dinner to see the interesting critters of the night. With the keen eyes of the ranger you will be able to see active night animals such as snakes, various insects and even glow in the dark mushrooms!

Most houseboat operators can arrange for a canoe ride which will take you into the quieter streams of the park where you can see even more wildlife as they are undisturbed by the bigger boats passing by. This is also a great way to engage the local community, as the klotok owners work with the villagers living along the river to operate the canoes. This gives them an opportunity to earn income form tourism and continue to be invested in the preservation of wildlife of Tanjung Puting.

While floating down the river you will come across a small village called Sekonyer. Here you can take a few moments to walk through and have your guide tell you about the people that still call this place their home and perhaps even meet a few of them outside their homes.

Before you head off to Tanjung Puting National Park (or after you come back), you can take a day trip around the town of Pangkalan Bun, once home to Kalimantan royalty. During the tour you will learn more about the native Dayak tribe history and culture and explore a local wet market. This is a great way to get a better sense of the local culture before diving into the nature.

Most travelers stay in Pangkalan Bun before their trip. In town, Arsela Hotel is a comfortable, budget-friendly option. If you prefer not to sleep on the boat, Rimba Lodge or Flora Homestay near the park are good alternatives, allowing you to join day cruises instead. If you arrive on an early flight and depart on one as well, you may be able to skip staying at a hotel in town all together.

We recommend spending at least 4 days. The first day will give you a chance to experience the culture and ease into the tropical weather, as well make sure you don't miss a day of the main event, i.e. the houseboat trip, in the event your flight is delayed:

Day 1: Taking a day tour of Pangkalan Bun to experience the local culture
Day 2-4: Head out to Tanjung Puting National Park on a 3D2N houseboat river safari

Yes, visiting Tanjung Puting can be an ethical experience—especially when done with responsible tour operators. The park is a hub for orangutan conservation, largely supported by tourism. Visits help fund the Orangutan Foundation International and empower local communities through jobs and eco-tourism initiatives. While orangutans at feeding stations are semi-wild, they live freely in their natural habitat. Choosing operators who prioritize wildlife respect, avoid overcrowding, and engage local guides ensures your trip supports rather than harms the ecosystem.

Bring bug spray, long sleeves, and light pants to protect from mosquitoes. A refillable water bottle, binoculars, rain gear, and a good camera are must-haves. A wide-brim hat, sunglasses, and comfortable walking/hiking shoes will keep you cool and ready for jungle walks and boat rides. There are some leeches around, you may want to bring some leech socks. We'd also recommend bringing a few extra pieces of clothing for changing after getting caught in the rain or heavy sweating.

As this area is known for it’s ecotourism, most of the klotok boats do not have air conditioning onboard and the sleeping arrangement is typically on the main deck of the houseboat which is not enclosed by walls, but you do have the protection of a mosquito net while you sleep. There are a few operators that offer enclosed cabins with AC onboard. If keeping it cool at night is a must for you, we recommend you go for this houseboat.

Once you get on the houseboat, say goodbye to Wifi. Mobile data works well in Pangkalan Bun and Kumai, but don’t count on staying connected once you sail past the first feeding station (Tanjung Harapan) and even before then you may lose connection depending on your provider. It’s the perfect time to disconnect and immerse yourself in the natural world. Let your friends and family know in advance that you'll be off the grid.

Yes, day tours are possible if not recommended. But if you are really short on time you can take a speedboat from Kumai which will still take you to 2 feeding stations of Pondok Tanggui and Camp Leakey.

Although you are not likely to encounter the type of crowds which are possible at other Indonesian destinations, during the summer months of June-September, it can still get quite crowded. To skip this, consider visiting in the shoulder season of March to May or October to November and booking a 4-day trip that lets you offset your feeding station visits. Early morning departures and smaller boats also help you experience the park in a more peaceful, personal way.