Tanjung Putting National Park is one of Kalimantan’s most important and exciting nature preserves. Not only is it home to one of the world’s largest wild groups of orangutans, but it also is the largest peat swamp forest in Borneo.
The park has been divided into four sectors based on different ecosystems. The most famous is Camp Leakey, which is dedicated to the rehabilitation and protection of wild orangutans. Proboscis monkeys and gibbons are also common sights at the camp, which is open to visitors.
Tanjung Harapan was specifically developed for tourism. There is a guesthouse, information center, and watchtower for nature observation. The hiking and bird watching here is superb.
Pantai Sungai Cabang is where a pristine beach comes into the picture. Guesthouses and an information center are also here to cater to tourism. There are lots of exotic wildlife here and good infrastructure to coordinate excursions.
Pondok Tanggui is another coastal estuary sector home to a wide range of rare creatures. Visitors who make it into the remote park are rewarded with few crowds and a real sense of adventure wildlife travel.
Getting There & Away
Pangkalan Bun has a small airport that mainly services small infrequent regional flights. However, there is a more reliable flight from Jakarta to the area that takes just a couple of hours. There are also riverboats that ply the many waterways, offering a slow but scenic option. From Pangkalan Bun, your tour company will arrange getting you to the national park.