Orangutans in Indonesia – Borneo photography tour 2016 – 14 Days
Orangutans – An Endangered Species
Orangutans are extremely intelligent animals and the literal translation of their name is “person of the forest”. Their rainforest habitat is continuously being destroyed at an alarming rate by illegal logging, mining, farming and palm oil plantations. So much so that the Bornean Orangutan, that you will see on this tour, is now classified as an endangered species. Experts predict that wild orangutans could become extinct as natural populations in as little as ten years.
Disappearing Rainforests
Indonesia’s forests represent some ten percent of the world’s remaining tropical forests. It has lost 80 per cent of its’ forests and is currently losing another 6 million acres every year. Half of Indonesia’s primate species have lost half of their habitat in the last ten years. Unfortunately the reduction of habitat is forcing orangutan populations into smaller areas that cannot support them. Despite the fact that they have a protected status, enforcement of these laws is very difficult in Indonesia.
Tanjung Puting National Park
Most people that go to Borneo to photograph orangutans visit either Sepilok or Semenggoh, both situated in the north of Borneo in the Malaysian part. These parks are more easily accessible, and have now become very commercial and busy. It has become increasingly difficult to get quality photographs from these locations. It is the lesser known southern tip of mainland Indonesian Borneo that we are visiting. Tanjung Puting is 4,000 square kilometres in size and is a conservation area that protects a large variety of plants and trees plus orangutans, probiscus monkeys, gibbons & wild boar. I photographed all of these subjects here in 2008. The park is partly owned by the Indonesian government and partly by the Orangutan Foundation International (OFI), an international charity who are actively buying parcels of adjoining forest as they become available on the open market (usually, sadly in lots for the removal of timber). Once the OFI have purchased land, then the timber is safe. The correct vegetation that orangutans need to survive in the long term only grows where there is a canopy of at least 40 metres (120 feet). Once these mature trees have been cut down, they cannot be replaced in our lifetime. Re-growth of the tall trees takes at least 80 years to achieve.
Camp Leakey
Our main place of interest on this tour is Camp Leakey. This absolute gem of a place is devoted to the research and development of adult orangutans. It is only accessible by boat and provides encounters with the orangutans on an unbelievable scale. Away from the buildings where the researchers live, other than one large platform in the forest, there is absolutely nothing man made to be seen. Everything is totally natural and perfect backgrounds are easily achieved. No orangutans have been released on this site for some time now. Nor will they be. The self contained group is now stable and existing totally naturally, made up of 60% released animals and 40% from the wild. They are totally integrated and the balance will not be altered. Sightings are aplenty here and there is hardly any time when at least one is not in view. Feeding time is approximately 3pm and up to 15 of these wonderful creatures will partake in the consumption of two buckets of bananas and sugar cane. The rest of the time they totally fend for themselves, apart from a few titbits that they are given to needy causes around the camp area.
Tanjung Harapan & Pondok Tanguy
These are two more locations where we will make half day visits. There are less numbers here, but the encounters are quite different and very rewarding. Tanjung Harapan is very close to our accommodation and was developed for ecotourism. It is the afternoon feeds that we will see here. Pondok Tanguy is a re-release site and is home to pre-wild and adolescent orangutans. There are also some wild orangutans, notably one very large male, which have integrated with this group. It is two of the morning feeds that we will photograph at this location, on our way to Camp Leakey.
Rimba Lodge
We will stay at the Rimba Orangutan eco Lodge which is situated adjacent to the Tanjung Puting National Park. It is no five star hotel, but it is comfortable and is the best accommodation available in the area. Rooms are on a twin-share basis and have air conditioning, fans, hot water, showers, western toilets, electricity and mosquito nets. Single rooms are available at extra cost. The whole complex is built on walkways and stilts. Clothing does get a little damp in the constantly humid conditions, but they have an very efficient laundry service. Good food is served in the large restaurant. The lodge is reached after a 2 hour boat journey along the Sekonyer river from the mainland at Kumai, and makes an excellent base for our activities.
Klotok – Local Riverboat
The only mode of transport around here is by Klotok. They are a twin decked affair some 12 metres long by 3 metres wide. The top deck is for us and our English speaking guide. Below is the crew’s living quarters and the kitchen. At the rear is a basic western toilet. We will spend up to 4 hours a day on this boat going to and from our destinations. The river is completely still and you do not know you are moving. There are many opportunities to photograph while on the boat, and it will stop for anything interesting along the way. Our lunches are cooked on the boat. These are really excellent.
Other Highlights
We should be able to see various different species of animals and birds both from the boat, and while with the orangutans. The strange looking Probiscus Monkey is the most notable. Also Wild Boar, Hornbills, Gibbons, Kingfishers and other birds. We will take a walk in the local village near our lodge and get a feel for how the local people eke out their meagre existence.
Itinerary December 2016
N.B. The order of daily events while staying at Rimba Lodge could well change but the overall content will stay the same.
Day 1 December 6th; Depart London Heathrow
Day 2 December 7th; Arrive at Kuala Lumpur. Connecting flight to Jakarta. Transfer to hotel. Overnight at FM7 Hotel in Jakarta. (lunch & dinner at own expense)
Day 3 December 8th; Transfer to Jakarta airport, fly to Pangkalan Bun, transfer to Kumai to meet klotok, lunch on boat, transfer to Rimba Lodge, afternoon visit to Tanjung Harapan to view the orangutans’ feeding session. Overnight at Rimba Lodge (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Day 4 December 9th; Full day at Camp Leakey. Travel by klotok for approximately 90 minutes. each way. along the Sekonyer river, stopping as necessary to photograph any wildlife we find. Overnight at Rimba Lodge (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Day 5 December 10th; Morning visit to Ponduk Tanguy. Afternoon Camp Leakey. Overnight at Rimba Lodge (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Day 6 December 11th; Full day at Camp Leakey. Overnight at Rimba Lodge (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Day 7 December 12th; Morning visit to Pangkalan Bun, visit local market and roof manufacturing area (from local rushes). Afternoon visit to Tanjung Harapan for feeding session. Overnight at Rimba Lodge (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Day 8 December 13th; Morning visit to Ponduk Tanguy. Afternoon Camp Leakey. Overnight at Rimba Lodge (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Day 9 December 14th; Morning visit to Aspai mining area to see the devastation caused by illegal mining. Afternoon Camp Leakey. Overnight at Rimba Lodge (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Day 10 December 15th; Full day at Camp Leakey. Overnight at Rimba Lodge (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Day 12 December 16th; Breakfast, boat transfer to Kumai, transfer to Pangkalan Bun, lunch at own expense, flight to Jakarta, transfer to hotel. Overnight at FM7 Hotel Jakarta. (dinner at own expense)
Day 13 December 17th; Breakfast, transfer to Jakarta airport. flight to Kuala Lumpur, connecting flight to London Heathrow. (meals at own expense in airport, or on plane)
Day 14 December 18th; Arrive London Heathrow
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Click here to view 2009 Trip Report
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Why does this trip run in December ?
That is a question that I am regularly asked. In fact, I think that the fact that this trip is scheduled for December, initially, puts a number of people off joining me on this tour. They could not be more wrong. I did my exploration tour in August 2008 (summer) and, on the unanimous advice of the local guides, accompanied a group of nine in December 2009 (winter). Firstly the temperatures. Overall, hotter in summer, cooler in winter. (It can still reach 40 degrees Centigrade in December). The rain. It always rains in a rain forest, whatever time of year you go. Fortunately, mostly in the early morning, midday (lunchtime), and late evening. In August 2008 we got wet 3 times while photographing the Orangutans. In December 2009 – just twice. In December 2010 & 2011 just once. Although December appears to be right in the middle of the rainy season, for the last 6 years there has been relatively little rain in December. Most of it falls before and after December. The most important factor is the number of photographers at Camp Leakey watching & photographing the Orangutans. In August (high season) approximately 100 people. In December 2009 and 2010 usually just my group and no more than 6 – 10 other people present. Absolutely no fighting for space in front of your chosen subject. December wins on every aspect, and we also enjoyed much better sightings of wild Orangutans and other wild species present in Tanjung Puting at that time of year. Each year has produced more & more quality sightings and 2011 was, without doubt, the best Borneo trip we have undertaken.
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Click here to view pictures from Borneo Orangutans 2008
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Costs (to be confirmed);
£3695.00 including international flights
Calculated at exchange rates as of 20/05/2014. Main costs are confirmed although flight costs (included) could vary slightly as time progresses.
Included:
International flights, Local flights from Jakarta to Pangkalan Bun (return). All meals where indicated. Park fees, police permits, orangutan viewing fees, boat trips, English speaking guide, OFI Care Centre donation, road transfers. All prices are based on twin shared hotel rooms. Single travellers are most welcome. Single supplements available.
Not Included:
Personal items and gratuities; travel insurance; drinks and laundry. Meals while travelling to Rimba Lodge and after leaving Rimba Lodge where indicated at own expense in itinerary. Local airport taxes (inexpensive but annoying) and any excess luggage charges at airports in Borneo.
Financial Protection;
This Photographic Tour will run in conjunction with Steppes Discovery and their involvement will afford full protection for all monies paid. Steppes Discovery is a fully bonded tour operator that complies with the Civil Aviation Authority bonding conditions of the UK, which fully guarantees your money in the unlikely event of them going out of business before you depart on holiday. Their ATOL number is 6945. In addition, all accommodation-only bookings (hotels, lodges, boats excluding international flights)) are also financially protected with payments held in a separate trust account, in accordance with the Package Travel Regulations Act 1992. For your protection, all monies will be paid directly to Steppes Discovery.