Tanjung Puting

Tanjung Puting National Park is an area in Central Kalimantan not far from Pangkalan Bun. After a 1.5 hr delayed flight into Pangkalan Bun on the fairly dodgy Trigana Air we drove to the port of Kumai where we boarded our boat and waited out a rainstorm. The riverfront here was dominated by small jetties and nesting house for swifts from which edible bird nests are collected to be exported to China.

After a lunch ( food on the boat was simple but excellent ) the rain subsided and we cruised up the Sekonyer River. Along the way from our cane armchairs we saw endangered Proboscis Monkeys, a near threatened Silvery lutung, a critically endangered Storm's Stork and an critically endangered Orangutan who was making a nest and made a long call. Great way to start our trip.

We chose not to sleep on the boat but instead stayed at the Rimba Lodge in air-conditioned luxury cabins in the forest.

The next morning we travelled three hours up the river to Camp Leaky where there is a research and feeding station for Orangutans. It was a relaxing cruise up the river with many more animal encounters on the way.

Hornbill

1,2,3 Go

Macet

Long Tailed Macaque

At Camp Leaky we disembarked and walked in, initially over a board walk, then through the forest. This was a highlight as you heard and saw the orangutans crashing through the trees and a graceful gibbon swung by.

The path was not always easy

We emerged at the feeding station where a crowd had already gathered and watched the orangutans feed. Watching the dynamics between the different individuals was interesting.

Gibbon Raid

We then walked back via the board walk. On the way we came across an Orangutan lying on the raised boardwalk ( About 1.5 m above the ground ). She had stolen an umbrella from a guide. Our guide told us she had a reputation for doing this but that we should just keep walking and just skirt around her on the edge of the board walk. This was easy enough for our lithe 17 year olds but when Alison attempted it she avoided the edge of the boardwalk and the orangutan reached out and grabbed her leg. This became more scary when she bared her teeth. The Guide told us to stay calm and he persuaded her to release Alison and we could be on our way.