Kalimantan — Orangutans & river journeys
All destinations

Kalimantan

Orangutans & river journeys

Where to go

Kalimantan

Glide upriver on a traditional klotok houseboat into Tanjung Puting National Park, where wild orangutans swing through the canopy and the rainforest comes to life at dusk.

Kalimantan is the Indonesian part of Borneo and is known for its wide rivers and deep rainforests. You can sail along the rivers by boat and see orangutans in their natural habitat. The island offers rich wildlife, tropical rainforest, and remote villages with strong local traditions. Kalimantan is ideal for travellers who love nature, adventure and tranquil surroundings.

Highlights

  • Multi-day klotok river cruise
  • Camp Leakey orangutan rehabilitation centre
  • Sleeping on deck under the stars
  • Proboscis monkeys and birdlife

What to see

Tanjung Puting

Tanjung Puting

Tanjung Puting was originally designated as a nature reserve. The park is best explored from a klotok, a two-storey boat on which you cruise along the Sungai Sekonyer. Along the way you can discover orangutans and other wildlife in their natural habitat and watch monkeys leap from tree to tree. Relax on deck with binoculars as the boat glides along the narrow jungle river. One of the highlights is Camp Leakey, a research centre where you can see wild orangutans up close during the daily feedings. In the evening the monkeys settle in the treetops while the river provides a soothing backdrop. At night you moor by the riverbank, where you sleep two nights on deck under mosquito nets, surrounded by the calming sounds of the rainforest.

Banjarmasin

Banjarmasin

Located on a delta where the Barito and Martapura rivers meet, Banjarmasin has long been an important port city, shaped by its wide, powerful waterways. The city is famous for its floating markets, where farmers and traders exchange their goods from small boats every morning. The canals that run through the suburbs are the heart of daily life, with much of the local trade taking place on the water. The most iconic spot is the Muara Kuin Floating Market on the Barito River, where boats full of bananas, fish, coconuts, spices, chillies and seasonal fruit gather in a vibrant spectacle. Despite the constant movement of the river, the traders skilfully manoeuvre their boats while exchanging goods and money, offering a lively glimpse of Banjarmasin's river-oriented culture.

Derawan

Derawan

The Derawan archipelago consists of 31 islands, of which Derawan, Maratua, Sangalaki and Kakaban are the best known. This area is home to Indonesia's largest nesting site for the rare and endangered giant green and hawksbill turtles. You may have the chance to see turtles laying their eggs in the sand or swimming back to sea. The archipelago offers a perfect tropical paradise with warm, remote islands, soft white sandy beaches lined with swaying palm trees, crystal-clear water that shifts from green to deep blue, and an impressive underwater world with giant turtles, dolphins, manta rays, dugongs, barracudas, stingless jellyfish and sometimes even whales.

Ready to discover Kalimantan?

Tell us your wishes and we'll craft a journey that fits.

Plan my trip

Where Indonesia takes you