Journal Entry: December 2021

There are still a few pockets in the wild forest filled island of Borneo to see the Orang-utans or as they are known locally “The Man of the Forest” in their natural wild habitat.

The majority of these locations are in Sabah and Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of the island with the Indonesian island of Sumatra having their fair share as well of wild Orang-utans, however the easiest sightings are in Borneo.

There are believed to be around 25,000 orang-utans left in captivity and in the wild throughout Asia that by the 2020’s there are chances they will be extinct in the wild, so now is the time to see them.

The orang-utans inhabit these areas, other incredible and unique animals hide in these forests like gibbons, thousands of different species of birds, leopards, pygmy elephants, bearded pigs, Asian rhinos and the Sumatran Tiger.

Kinabatangan River, Sabah

The further you stay down the Kinabatangan River the more you will be closer to more wildlife and more possible chances of seeing more exotic animals other than the orang-utans. Close to the few resorts are some well posted tracks that you can walk on without the use of a guide and maybe seeing some of the primates that inhabit this area of the forest.

Danum Valey in Sabah

The Danum Valley Conservation Area has probably the widest range of our furry friends within its dark green forests is mind blowing as well as other animals from red leaf monkeys, bearded pig, deer, pygmy elephants, the rather odd looking proboscis monkeys plus a wide range of cats as well. Danum Valley has one of the worlds most complicated eco systems and new species of plants are found every month. There is only one place to stay in Danum Valley and that is the Borneo Rainforest Lodge, this has to be pre-booked long in advance as it sells out very quickly.

Tanjung Puting National Park, Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo

This national park is by far and away the most pleasant trip you’ll make in order to see orang-utans, where sightings are 100 per cent guaranteed. A three to four-day boat cruise is required to reach the first (and foremost) rehabilitation site, Camp Leakey, where ex-captive orang-utans roam freely. Along the way, on a simple Indonesian houseboat or klotok, you’ll stop at designated feeding sites and spot orang-utans, gibbons and proboscis monkeys suspended from the treetops. This trip is so beautiful people have been known to get married as the sun sets on their klotoks and nothing, but fireflies and stars light up the sky.

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