Tanjung Puting National Park is covered by a complex mosaic of diverse lowland habitats. It sits on a peninsula at the Southern tip of Kalimantan island and contains 3,040 km2 (or 1,174 square miles) of low lying swampy terrain punctuated by blackwater rivers which flow into the Java Sea.

At the mouth of these rivers and along the sea coastal beach forest are found nypa mangrove swamps. Mangroves teem with animal life. Tanjung Puting also includes tall dry ground tropical rainforest, primarily tropical heath forest with a canopy of 30 meters (approximately 100 feet) with “emergents” exceeding 50 meters (approximately 165 feet) in height, seasonally inundated peat swamp forest with peat in layers two or more meters (approximately 7 feet) deep, open depression lakes formed by fire, and open areas of abandoned dry rice fields now covered with elephant grass and ferns.

The vegetation supports a large population of animals, making this one of the most important areas for the preservation primates, birds, reptiles and fish.

The blackwater Sekonyer River is an infinite mirror to the captivating diverse array of tropical rainforest flora and fauna, not to mention a remarkable view of the Milky Way.

As the intoxicating air fills the lungs, vegetation on the river side changes from homogenous nipa palm mangrove and the vast oil palm behind it to the richness of endemic biodiverse tropical rainforest, variety of Bornean wildlife can be spotted in their natural habitat on the river banks.

Listen to the sound of the forest chorus as they change their melody with time of the day.

Meaning “cape of good hope”, location wise Tanjung Harapan is the first orangutan feeding station in the park with an afternoon start time. Originally the station was designed as a training center for ex-captive and orphaned baby orangutans. Walk past the reforestation project on the way to the feeding ground which includes a botanical nursery used for growing seedlings and saplings. There is an inhabitant local village, Sekonyer River Village across the river from the park.

This second orangutan feeding station was once a release center for preadolescent ex-captive and orphaned orangutans after they are rehabilitated. Situated along the bank of the tea-colored water, the station is designed to provide supplemental food for wild and semi-wild orangutans, important in maintaining nutrition particularly during drought seasons when food is hard to come by.

Established in 1971 by Biruté Galdikas as an orangutan research station, rehabilitation and release center; Camp Leakey is named after the legendary paleo-anthropologist Louis Leakey, who was the mentor and inspiration of Biruté Galdikas as well as Jane Goodall and Diane Fossey.

Located at the end of the black mirrored water of Sekonyer River, the camp is one of the most magical places on earth where one of the last remaining primeval tropical rainforest, including peat swamp forest is still protected. Trekking through the forest is the most biodiverse of the three feeding stations, providing a dazzling array of tropical flora and fauna.

Lies within the largest protected areas of tropical peat swamp and heath forest, the station is designed to study the park’s diverse flora and fauna.

Day trek or night walk in Pondok Ambung provides unique fascinating insights to the forest ecosystem due to the rich diversity of species around the station, including the well-known visiting species and the more elusive tarsiers, clouded leopards and sun bears and vegetation including smoking/glowing mushrooms among others.

Once dominated by Iron wood trees, Pesalat was devastated by slash and burn farming and overrun by imperata grass which cause natural forest regeneration unable to occur. Today it is over 50 hectares of reforestation area and planting of sapling occur every day to increase the density and diversity of the trees.

A walk on 900 meter long wooden platform/bridge through a dense secondary forest leads to a demonstration plot of endemic plants with various ailments and diseases they can be used to cure. Visitors are encouraged to adopt a seedling of their choice and plant in the reforestation area with a personalized plate.

Sungai Buluh Kecil is a tributary river lies across the bay of Kumai. It is the most pristine and serene area in the park in all of its wild and unspoiled glory, accessible to public by speedboat or canoe due to its shallow, narrow, winding passageways and seemingly blocked tributary. It’s a magical haven for birding and wildlife viewing! It’s where Camp Filomena (named after Dr Biruté Galdikas’ mother) is established.

Its wilderness truly is an opportunity that few others have experienced and one you will certainly never forget.