Lower Mahakam is the lower end of the mighty Sungai Mahakam in East Kalimantan, Borneo. It is the longest section before the river meets the large delta region at the Makassar Strait.
The Lower Mahakam is the most easily explored part of the river for tourists short on time and unable to take an extensive cruise. Many types of plants and animals inhabit the Lower Mahakam, including monkeys and non-man-eating crocodiles, along with numerous species of birds.
Although the most dramatic part of the Mahakam River is further upstream, where towering gorges and more reclusive wildlife can be seen, you still get to see the Dayak people and their villages. They have been here for many generations and have a rich and varied culture involving much dancing as well as lengthening of the earlobes.
Getting There & Away
Samarinda, the East Kalimantan provincial capital, is the gateway town to Lower Mahakam. Flights come in daily from Sepinggan International Airport in Balikpapan, the main airport for the province and 5 hours south of Samarinda by bus. Both Samarinda and Balikpapan have direct flights from Jakarta. The small town of Loa Janan, to the south of Samarinda, is the main place to start a tour of Lower Mahakam, with ferries, motor-canoes, and houseboats all available here.