Tanjung Puting is quite a detour from most people’s holiday itinerary, because there is not much else to do around Pangkalan Bun. So you want to make sure that the Borneo Orangutan Tour is worth the hassle to get here.
Here a few tips to help you choose a reliable tour operator and get a high-quality boat, and some thoughts on useful things to bring beyond the obvious (e.g. insect repellent, good shoes, long sleeves and sun cream) that will make your Orangutan Tour even more special:
- Do these boat checks. Ask the tour operator whether their boats have Western showers (as opposed to a Mandi) and Western toilets (as opposed to a squat toilet). Check that they use fresh water in the boat and not river water (toilets are flushed into the river).
- Ask for a Licensed Guide. Make sure that the tour operator only works with licensed guides, because these do not only know about the animals and flora and safety rules, but they are also trained in the English language.
- Do a Night Trek. If you book a 3D2N Orangutan Tour, usually a night trek is not in the default itinerary, but chances are the tour operator provides this on demand. Night walks take 15-30 minutes during which you may find beautiful glowing mushrooms. Let your guide know even before you arrive in Pangkalan Bun that you wish to do a night trek. Please notice the night tours come with a cost; in case the tour operator offers it for free, please make sure to tip well.
- Be the first to leave the feeding station. You will visit 3 feeding stations where you will see orangutans been fed on a platform. The feeding typically takes an hour or so, and the highlight is usually the beginning when orangutans arrive swinging from tree to tree. If you leave just before the crowd does, you will have no other boat in front of you as you cruise to the next stop and will enjoy the serenity of the river and jungle even more.
- Bring Coffee & Beer. As part of the orangutan tour, you will be served with standard, local coffee, which is basically hot water with filter coffee, but then unfiltered. Some people love it, and others don’t. You may want to consider bringing your own instant coffee (or French Press) if you are sensitive for a good coffee. You may also want to consider bringing your own white wine or alcohol beverage to optimally enjoy the beautiful and romantic setting from the Klotok. You cannot buy alcohol in Pangkalan Bun because of the muslim customs, but you can bring it with you to Pangkalan Bun and consume it during the tour.
- Mobile Charger. Although there are sockets aboard, we do not recommend to use these to charge electronic devices because the power engine of the boat does not supply a constant voltage (this holds for ALL boats). While the chances are minimal, your device could get damaged. Consider bringing a mobile charger (power bank), which can be bought at any outdoor store.
- Hammock. If you have a hammock, bring it! The ultimate chill experience is to lay down in your hammock in the klotok as you cruise through the lush jungle. Check with your tour operator if they have hooks.
- Luxury. We advice against taking a Klotok with AC. Firstly, the fresh breeze at night creates a very comfortable setting, and makes an AC most people unnecessary. Moreover, a Klotok with AC is not only expensive, they lock you behind windows, make a lot of noise and create bigger waves, which all spoil the jungle experience. If you insist on more luxury, take a regular boat and stay overnight at the Rimba ecolodge, located at the edge of the national park and accessible by boat. The rooms have AC, WiFi, and hot water. Some tour operators can book the rooms for you against local tariffs.
- Tipping. While tipping is optional, it is a custom in Indonesia. So in case you like the service, please tip the boat crew well. The lockdowns following the Covid pandemic has pushed many locals into poverty. So your tip will not only be a kind courtesy, it will really make a difference to the lives of the people that have been part of your beautiful memories to Tanjung Puting National Park. A good tip would be 100.000 IDR per day for the guide and 50.000 IDR per day for each other crew member (cook, captain and boat helper).
- Ecotourism. Palmoil is a big problem to the area around Tanjung Puting National Park. Primary forest is logged and orangutans are killed because the palmful industry is profitable and helps many locals out of poverty. A practical remedy would be to make the conservation of the jungle and wildlife even more profitable than the palm oil industry. This is why your visit is important, especially when you would choose an eco-tour operator. When you leave, you could act as an ambassador of the park by informing your network about our issues and by reducing your palm oil footprint.
More information about the Borneo Orangutan Tours by Local Guides
We also offer orangutan tours ourselves. We are experienced and fun:-) guides, use boats with Western facilities, have a user-friendly booking system, require a relatively small deposit and have a 100% refund policy for all cancellations until 1 week prior to tour start (no questions asked).
Also when you book your tour with anyone else, feel always free to ask us for free advice so that we can make sure you leave our backyard with beautiful memories. In case there is anything we can help you with, just contact us.
