WW Kalimantan | Altindo

Proboscis Monkey also known as long nose

WIldlife-watching kalimantan

Unlike its more known Malaysian neighbouring states, Kalimantan largely remains an enigma to travellers, this is off-the-beaten track Borneo at it’s finest. Whilst Tanjung Puting is well visited, the rest of it’s national parks, community reserves and riverways are little visited, yet the wildlife is all here. From ginormous wetlands, the largest on the island, to mountain forests, Kalimantan has it all, it just takes time to reveal it’s secrets. From close-up encounters with Orangutans, Proboscis Monkeys & Gibbons to seeking out some of Borneo’s rarest creatures, some of which are best searched for here. The wilds of Kalimantan hold some of the world’s most breathtaking diversity & we can help you access it.

Where We Visit

north kalimantan

Remote & difficult to access, Northern Kalimantan has yet to reveal it's secrets. It is home to some of Borneo's rarest creatures in some of the largest contiguous rainforests on the island. From lowlands to the high mountains, this region of Kalimantan perhaps contains the provinces highest levels of biodiversity.

Sites:

Kayan Mentarang National Park- The adventure starts before arriving, either on a small plane or up the tributaries of the various rivers that enter the ginormous park. The pristine rainforests here ranging from the lowlands up into the mountains harbour rarely seen creatures such as Hose's Langur, Tufted Ground Squirrel, Hose's Civet & perhaps Borneo's largest population of Banteng. Other primates feature as do Hornbills and rarely seen birds in Borneo or Kalimantan such as Bulwer's Pheasant & Whitehead's Broadbill. The park is perhaps the best place in Kalimantan to experience the island's montane habitats & the creatures that inhabit it. Many other highly sort after species are found here such as Bay Cat, Clouded Leopard & Sun Bear but in the dense forest you will need luck on your side for encounters.

This is a destination for the adventurous who want to feel they are experiencing the real Borneo, featuring remote Dayak Settlements, ancient burial grounds & forest as far as the eye can see.

east kalimantan

The province of East Kalimantan has some of the regions most accessible rainforest reserves, and also some of Kalimantan's rarest lowland denizens, this is one of the least crowded and best places to see wild Orangutans, great guides in all the below areas can help find a plethora of wildlife for the visitor including occasionally much more secretive members of the Bornean rainforest.

Sites:

Kutai National Park- Taking a long boat down the chocolate waterways until you reach the camp at Kutai is a wonderful Bornean experiecne, once there, you are in one of the world's best places to see wild Orangutans in an excellently facilitated jungle station, even from it's boardwalks Orangutans can be seen, in the easily traversed trails deeper in the forest, Hornbills, primates, orchids & many rainforest birds can be seen, it is at night however that this rainforest can deliver it's prizes, Tarsiers, Slow Loris & even Bay Cat, one of Borneo's elusive species have been seen on the trail system here.

Wehea Forest- This remote, community-protected forest is one of Kalimantan's most intact, the roadways entering the forest provide an excellent view of the forest edge helping in wildlife observation. Orangutans and hornbills are often seen here, including Helmeted Hornbill, Borneo's rarest. Other primates include Muller's Gibbon, Red Leaf Monkey & the incredibly rare Miller's Grizzled Langur which can be seen with a targeted trip. Sun Bear are seen relatively often here by the park rangers & Clouded Leopard, Bay Cat, Marbled Cat & many civet species are present. Birdlife is rich with rarer species such as Bornean Bristlehead & many pitta species present. This is a wonderful conservation initiative where a visit helps support the excellent work continuing here.

Sungai Wain Forest- Perhaps Kalimantan's most accessible reserve, a mere 30 minute drive out of cosmopolitan Balikpapan, East Kalimantan's capital, Sungai Wain is an isolated moderate swathe of coastal lowland rainforest that is incredibly rich in wildlife. It is most famous for some of its incredibly rare birds. Bornean Peacock-pheasants, Bornean Ground Cuckoo & Grey-breasted Babbler are all found here & have very restricted ranges, pittas, trogons, frogmouths and more inhabit the trails through the reserve, Mammal-wise, Tarsiers, Red Leaf Monkeys, Mullers Gibbons & rarer creatures such as Sun Bear are found. It is most certainly worth a visit if passing through Balikpapan & with more wildlife-watcher's coming here we foresee more species being seen in the future.

A rainforest adventure in East Kalimantan can pretty much assure viewings of wild orangutans & other primates, much birdlife & perhaps a glimpse of something few people have seen before, the accommodation options are good &, for Kalimantan, the reserves are quite accessible.

west kalimantan

Mystical West Kalimantan has some of the regions most unexplored forest reserves. It is an area ripe for exploration, where time is needed to access it's finest sites. Wildlife watching here is a journey, one made with local/indigenous guides, roaring rivers, Dayak settlements & deep dark forest.

Sites:

Gunung Palung National Park- This small isolated national park is a fine example of a coast to summit environment & due to its diversity of habitats the area's biodiversity is incredibly high. From rare peatlands to upland tropical oak forest, there is much to be seen here. From a dense, well-researched Orangutan population, White-bearded Gibbons to rare peatland birds & many hornbills. In it's upper reaches the forest here is known to contain the mythical Tufted Ground Squirrel, one of Borneo's most impressive & least-known species, this might be one of the better places to search for this amazing creature.

Kapuas Hulu- This huge area of West Kalimantan is one of the best preserved Dayak settlements & also some of the best forest in Borneo. Bordering two national parks, Danau Sentarum & Betung Kerihun, this area forms part of the Heart of Borneo. We visit many sites within this area depending on interest. Nearby Sungai Utik has many conservation initiatives that can translate into great wildlife-watching along it's rivers. The area holds many rare birds including many hornbills, rare peat forest species & pheasants. Primates feature highly, the Orangutans here are shy but White-bearded Gibbons, the rarely seen White-fronted langur & the far more endangered Tri-coloured Langur inhabit the area. While this area is often dense forest or vast wetlands, the majority of Borneo's diversity is found here & perhaps you will get lucky with sighting one of the islands rarer creatures.

With the right planning & guides this region is a highlight of Borneo & is perhaps the best area to feel like you are truly deep in the islands heart. Contact us for more information.

central kalimantan

Kalimantan's most visited province due to the presence of Tanjung Puting National Park, with some of South-east Asia's best preserved peatlands, the province usually draws people due to its abundance of charismatic primates & the ability to see them from the comfort of a boat, whilst this is a quintessential Kalimantan experience there is more to discover here.

Sites:

Tanjung Puting National Park- the most famous national park in Kalimantan due to it's Orangutan conservation projects started by Birute Galdikas, this park may sometimes be busy but it has much to offer, the experience of staying on a klotok, a floating houseboat with varying levels of luxury, is worth it in itself as it winds its way through the rivers of swamp forest. Most of the Orangutans seen here are semi-wild but deeper in wild ones can be found, along with many Proboscis Monkeys, White-bearded Gibbon & Silvered Langur. At night Tarsier & Slow Loris can be found aswell. Occasionally rarer wildlife makes an appearance including Sun Bear & Clouded Leopard. It is the best place in the world to observe the rare Tomistoma or False Ghavial, an incredibly rare & beautiful crocodile. Saltwater crocs are seen too. Birdlife is good with some rare wetland species, Bornean Bristlehead, Storm's Stork & perhaps the best location to search for the incredibly rare Bornean Crestless Fireback.

Sebangau National Park- A similar environment as Tanjung Puting but without the crowds, the park is traversed by longboat & raised boardwalks. Wild Orangutans & gibbons are easier to find here as are the rarer wetland birds, it's diversity is as high & similar to Tanjung Puting but this rarely visited national park holds much yet to be discovered. If you wish to experience the peatlands of Borneo without seeing another tourist or wish to maximise your sightings in the region then visiting this park should be on your list.

A fabulously unique region of Borneo that can be as comfortable or as adventurous as you want it to be, this is the centerpiece of eco-tourism in Kalimantan & whilst Orangutans are the headliner, many other rare creatures can be found if you're with the people who know where to look.

south kalimantan

Holding Borneo's most isolated mountain range, a hulking massif of limestone surrounded by wonderful montane settlements, clean rivers 7 beautful vistas, the region also holds good lowland forest and we are working on accessing an area that holds 3 pitta species, many mammals & many other lowland species not regularly recorded in Kalimantan, contact us for more information.

Sites:

Meratus Mountains- This isolated range has only just started to be discovered. The discovery of the Black-browed Wren Babbler after 170 years & then the discovery of another 3, maybe more species brought the area to the attention of adventurous birders but this area is also the most easily accessed montane environment in Kalimantan & most likely holds many rarely seen mammals, reptiles & amphibians too including perhaps, a few new species. This is an area for the adventurous, camping in the forest & seeing what will reveal itself.

Featuring some of Kalimantan's most stunning scenery, this barely surveyed province holds lots of promise for explorative wildlife-watching & is easily joined to another part of Kalimantan to ensure some quality sightings.