Seeing orangutans in the wild is a real experience. They are among the most intelligent primates, with behaviour all their own.
There are only two species of orangutan in the world, both in Southeast Asia. The Bornean orangutan lives on Borneo, while its cousin, the Sumatran orangutan, lives on Sumatra.
Borneo is one of the top places to see them. The island is shared by Malaysia and Indonesia, and its parks and protected areas are rich in wildlife, with several tours and conservation centres that let visitors see orangutans up close.
A few things are worth keeping in mind on an orangutan tour. These great apes are critically endangered, their numbers still falling because of human activity: poaching, the illegal pet trade and habitat loss. On a tour, make sure your visit does no harm to the apes, and that the operator is a genuine ecotourism company.
With that in mind, here are five of the best national parks and reserves in Borneo for a safe, eco-friendly chance to see orangutans.
1. Kinabatangan River, Sabah
The Kinabatangan River, in Sabah, is one of the best places to watch Borneo’s wildlife. A three- to four-day trip gives a very good chance of seeing orangutans, along with other endangered species such as pygmy elephants.
An estimated 1,100 orangutans live in the lower reaches of the river. Rather than trekking through rainforest to find them, you can watch easily from a boat, which makes this a comfortable option for any traveller. Sightings come along the main riverbank, its tributaries, the oxbow lakes and the Menanggul River.
The Kinabatangan offers some of the best chances of seeing orangutans, in comfort.
2. Danum Valley, Sabah
Danum Valley, also called the Danum Valley Conservation Area, holds an estimated 500 orangutans in undisturbed forest.
The area is large and full of rainforest wildlife, and one of the best places for a rainforest experience. Alongside orangutans you may see clouded leopards, Sumatran rhinos and Malayan sun bears.
Danum has several trails, including a canopy walkway. For the best chance of seeing orangutans, it is worth staying at least three days. The lodges here have strict rules to limit the impact of tourists on the wildlife.
Danum Valley is a must-visit for its rainforest, its eco-friendly rules and its conservation ethic.
3. Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Sabah
Tabin Wildlife Reserve is a large protected area in eastern Sabah, home to around 1,400 orangutans.
The chances of seeing them are moderate, along with other wildlife: the reserve has many bird species and a number of vulnerable animals.
The reserve is reached by logging roads. It offers jungle treks and a few night safaris, and you can only visit on an organised tour. The only place to stay is the Tabin Wildlife Resort, with hillside and riverside lodges.
4. Tanjung Puting National Park
Tanjung Puting National Park, in Central Kalimantan, is one of the region’s natural treasures, with vast, dense rainforest spread over about 4,000 square kilometres. You can see wild orangutans resting in the treetops and mangroves.
One of the best ways to see them is to travel up the Sekonyer River by klotok, a local riverboat used by residents and visitors alike.
The klotok is also the easy way to reach the park, and a local guide will tell you all about the Bornean orangutans that live here. Tanjung Puting is home to Camp Leakey, a well-known research station, where you can meet researchers and see orangutans at the rehabilitation centre.
5. Kutai National Park
Kutai National Park, in East Kalimantan, was once thickly forested. A forest fire destroyed much of it, leaving only about 30 per cent of the forest, but the park is slowly recovering.
It has around 2,000 orangutans spread across the area. One of the main access points, Sangkima, is a good spot for photographing orangutans and other wildlife.
Sangkima also has a boardwalk and a trail leading to some of the largest trees in the forest.
Prevab, another part of Kutai, keeps its forest in good condition and is a quieter, more secluded section. Here you can see wild orangutans, along with sun bears, long-tailed macaques and flat-headed cats. Trekking in Kutai requires a local guide and a permit.
Treat seeing orangutans as a special experience, and go about it with care. Travellers can also help the parks keep a safe environment for these endangered apes.
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