Borneo Orangutan Kelotok Tour: 3 Nights River & Primates

Summary

Sleep on a kelotok, watch orangutans eat, drift past fireflies

You’ll cruise Borneo’s rivers by kelotok with a local guide, spot wild orangutans at three feeding stations, sleep under firefly-lit skies, and share simple meals on deck. Jungle walks bring you close to rare primates and village life—expect muddy boots and moments that linger long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing that hit me was the smell — a mix of river mud and wood smoke as we clambered onto the old kelotok in Kumai. I’d barely put my bag down when our guide, Ibu Siti, handed out tiny sweet bananas and grinned like she knew something we didn’t. There’s a weird tension in waiting for wildlife: you’re never sure if they’ll show. At Tanjung Harapan feeding station, it was just us and the forest for a long moment until branches started shaking and this huge female orangutan swung down, orange fur catching the light. Someone behind me whispered “people of the forest” — I guess that stuck with me.

Sleeping on the boat is strange at first. The night air felt thick and warm, but there’s something about drifting off to the hum of insects and distant monkey calls that’s oddly comforting. One night the sky was clear enough for fireflies — not just a few, but thousands blinking along the riverbank like someone plugged in fairy lights. I tried counting them but gave up after twenty or so (math isn’t my strong suit). Dinner tasted like cloves and lemongrass; simple food but somehow perfect after a day of hiking through peat swamp trails that squelched underfoot.

Camp Leakey was where things got real for me. Our guide told stories about Dr. Galdikas’ work with orangutans — I didn’t know much about her before, but now I get why people call her legendary here. We watched young orangutans play-fight over fruit while a proboscis monkey sat nearby looking unimpressed (those noses are even funnier in person). Later we stopped by Sekonyer village; kids waved from stilt houses and an old man offered us coffee so strong it made my hands shake. The whole trip felt less like a tour and more like being let into someone else’s world for a bit.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and Tanjung Harapan visit

• Arrive in Pangkalanbuun
• Transfer to Kumai for boarding
• Cruise Kumai River and see riverfront life
• Cruise Sekonyer River mangroves
• Visit Orangutan feeding at Tanjung Harapan
• Cruise downstream to see Proboscis monkeys
• Anchor and overnight on Kelotok boat
• Dinner beneath fireflies

Day 2 — Camp Leakey and rainforest hike

• Boat to Camp Leakey Orangutan Rehabilitation
• Boat through side creek and spot wildlife
• Lunch at Camp Leakey
• Hike Borneo rainforest and peat swamp
• See fungi, orchids, mosses, and ferns
• Orangutan feeding at 2pm
• Overnight on traditional wooden house boat

Day 3 — Pondok Tanggui and Sekonyer Village

• Breakfast on boat
• Visit Orangutan feeding at Pondok Tanggui
• Optional 2-hour jungle walk
• Afternoon boat cruise for wildlife spotting
• Visit Sekonyer Village and see local life
• Overnight on traditional wooden house boat

Day 4 — Wildlife spotting and departure

• Breakfast on boat
• Wildlife spotting during slow cruise to Kumai
• Depart Kumai to Pangkalanbuun transfer
• Optional visit to Orangutan souvenir gallery

Top questions

How many days is the Borneo Orangutan Kelotok Tour?

The tour lasts 3 nights (4 days) including all meals and accommodation on board.

Is airport pickup included in this orangutan tour?

Yes, return transfers from Pangkalan Bun airport or your hotel are included.

What animals can I see besides orangutans?

You may see proboscis monkeys, silvered langurs, red-leaf monkeys, pig-tailed macaques, birds, crocodiles, and more.

Where do you sleep during the tour?

You sleep on a traditional wooden houseboat (kelotok), anchored along the river each night.

Are vegetarian meal options available?

Yes, vegetarian meals can be arranged if requested in advance.

How many people can join per booking?

A maximum of 12 people per booking; minimum of 2 required.

Is this Borneo primate tour suitable for children?

Yes, children aged 3+ can join but must be accompanied by an adult.

When is peak season for this tour?

The busiest months are July through September; schedules may adjust slightly then.

What’s included

Your trip includes return airport or hotel transfers from Pangkalan Bun or Kumai, all entry permits (including camera fees), three breakfasts, three lunches, three dinners plus snacks and coffee or soft drinks throughout your journey. You’ll stay each night aboard a traditional wooden houseboat as you explore Borneo’s rivers with your local guide.