Critically endangered, with a population thought to have dropped from 30,000 in 2000 to as low as 15,000 today, Orang-utan are now found on only two islands in the world: Borneo and Sumatra. For all visitors planning a trip here the first question is which country to choose?
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Southeast Asia
There is no other way to say it – getting to see orang-utan in Indonesia is a challenge. Flights, boats and 4x4s are par for the course but despite the problems in reaching your end destination, the rewards far outweigh the effort.
The area of Bukit Lawang in northern Sumatra is home to many orang-utan who were rehabilitated and released in to the wild from the former orang-utan sanctuary of Bohorok. The sanctuary closed in 2005 when the surrounding area was considered 'saturated' with orang-utan and an alternative quarantine and rehabilitation centre was opened on the outskirts of Medan. Since the centre was opened in 1973, over 200 orang-utans have been released, meaning that close encounters are regular occurrences on half to full day circular walks through the protected rainforest of the Gunung Leuser National Park.
Pros: The least visited of the four orang-utan 'hotspots' worldwide, stunning lowland mountain scenery of waterfalls, rivers and rainforest.Cons: No current rehabilitation programme and difficult to see other wildlife while exploring on foot.
Visitors to Tanjung Puting National Park usually spend three days traversing the narrow jungle rivers on your private house boat, known locally as a Klotok, stopping two or three times a day to venture into the rainforest with a knowledgable guide. The park is unfenced throughout and is home to over 5,000 orang-utan,therefore offering a great chance to see these intriguing creatures in their natural habitat. While in the area, Camp Leakey offers the chance to see conservation work at close quarters. Established in 1972, this rehabilitation centre has released hundreds of Orang-utans back into the wild over the years.
Pros: All but guaranteed sightings of wild orang-utan and travelling by boat gives a great chance of spotting other wildlife on the river banks. In addition there is an excellent rehabilitation programme on site that is much less frequented than those in Borneo.Cons: Flights here from central Java are often delayed, so patience and humour need to be packed with your tooth brush!
Simple
Rimba Lodge is set right on the edge of the gently flowing Sekonyer river beside Tanjung Puting National Park. The timber lodge is built in a series of adjoining elevated pavilions with each...
This simple hotel offers comfortable rooms with fantastic views over the Sungai Bohorak River. It is the perfect place to base yourself if you would like to embark on a day or overnight trek...
Basic
Situated inside the Gunung Leuser National Park, Jungle Lodge has an enviable location perched above the crystal clear Bamboo River.