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Borneo Orangutan6
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Borneo is 'one great wild, untidy, luxuriant hothouse, made by nature for herself', wrote Charles Darwin in the 1800s.

He was fascinated by this immense island's unique wildlife and despite the impact of logging and mining, it remains a rainforested trove of birds, plants and animals.

Exotic orchids, orangutans, sun bears, pygmy elephants, Irrawaddy dolphins, clouded leopards: there is much to see, but some, like the orangutan, are under threat.

Away from a number of very worthy sanctuaries, it's not easy to spot these rare creatures. So take a paddle up river deep into the jungle to stay with tribespeople in a traditional longhouse. Here, you can get a local to show you around.

Where To See Orangutans

The best places to see orangutans in Borneo and Sumatra

The best place to see orangutans is in the wild, on their native islands of Borneo and Sumatra. In Borneo, orangutans are found in the two Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, and in Kalimantan on the Indonesian side of the island. There is also a population on the nearby Indonesian island of Sumatra...read more

5 days

Orangutans and Tanjung Puting

Wildlife of Central Kalimantan
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7 days

Sarawak’s national parks

Wildlife spotting and colourful Kuching
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14 days

The best of Sarawak

Orangutans, rainforests and beaches
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  • Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary

    Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary

    25km west of the waterside town of Sandakan is Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, a rehabilitation centre which runs popular pay-to-volunteer programmes...
  • Kota Kinabalu

    Kota Kinabalu

    Whether you’re wanting to scuba dive in pristine coral reef, trek Malaysia’s highest mountain or simply relax on the beach of a stylish resort, Kota Kinabalu seems to have something for everyone...
  • Kuching

    Kuching

    Nestled between the jungle and the sea, Sarawak’s capital began life as a trading post, built up by the family of Sir James Brooke, the first of the line of “white rajahs” who ruled Sarawak for a century...
  • Tanjung Puting National Park

    Tanjung Puting National Park

    Set among a large swathe of coastal tropical heath and peat swamp forest, Tanjung Puting is one of the major hopes for the orangutan's survival...
  • Kumai

    Kumai

    Head to Kumai in Central Kalimantan, a port town and gateway to Tanjung Puting National Park...
  • Bako National Park

    Bako National Park

    Sarawak’s oldest national park is just over 20km from capital city Kuching, and is a popular day trip for tourists wanting a taste of the region's wildlife...
  • Kinabatangan Wildlife Reserve

    Kinabatangan Wildlife Reserve

    Sabah’s largest waterway is one of only two regions in the world which are inhabited by ten species of primate, and is Borneo’s most popular destination for tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of a wild orangutan...
  • Semenggoh Nature Reserve

    Semenggoh Nature Reserve

    A couple of hours south of Sarawak’s capital Kuching, Semenggoh Nature Reserve is a research and rehabilitation centre for orphaned, displaced and injured orangutans, hornbills and honey bears...
  • Danum Valley

    Danum Valley

    Danum Valley protected forest reserve is one of the largest swathes of primary lowland dipterocarp rainforest in Borneo, set aside for wildlife conservation, research and education...
  • Mulu National Park

    ...
  • Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park

    ...
  • Batang Ai National Park

    Batang Ai National Park

    Batang Ai National Park is the only place in Sarawak where you can see wild orangutans and, due to being so remote, is one of the least known places to visit...

Places to go in Borneo

Borneo Tours

Kota Kinabalu, Kinabatangan Wildlife Reserve, Danum Valley

Off The Beaten Track in Borneo

Kota Kinabalu, Sepilok and the Kinabatangan River

15 daysFrom £4,000
Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Bako National Park (and 3 more)

Beach and Wildlife

Explore Borneo's national parks and beaches

14 daysFrom £4,000
Borneo, Malaysia

Luxury, Adventure & Boutique Beach

Explore Borneo's beaches and cities

15 daysFrom £4,000
Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Mulu National Park

Borneo Trek and Climb

Climb Mount Kinabalu and experience Borneo's wildlife and culture

16 daysFrom £4,000
Kuching, Bako National Park, Danum Valley (and 2 more)

In-Depth Borneo Adventure

Explore Borneo's jungles and beaches

18 daysFrom £4,000
Borneo, Malaysia

Borneo Highlights and Langkawi beach

15 days exploring Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia

15 daysFrom £4,000

Borneo Travel Companies

Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia

Experience Travel Group

Immersive Holidays That Give Back
South America, South Asia, Southeast Asia

Rainforest Cruises

Exotic Riverboat & Small Ship Cruises
Southeast Asia

Wow Borneo

Orangutan tours in Indonesian Borneo
Southeast Asia

Orangutan Odysseys

Saving the Environment through Tourism

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