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Wild Tenderness Among Orangutan, Borneo
Home Destinations South East Asia Indonesia Indonesian Borneo

Indonesian Borneo

The main focus of any holiday to Indonesian Borneo tends to be on the incredible diversity of wildlife and offers visitors the greatest chance to encounter orangutan in the wild.

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Charles Darwin called Borneo “one great wild untidy luxuriant hothouse made by nature for herself” and Borneo’s great attribute is that today that statement still holds true.

Borneo is the third largest island in the world and divided into a number of countries with 73% of the island belonging to Indonesia.Each year there are new discoveries of plants and wildlife, the interior is a dense jungle and there are vast areas where few if any, humans have trod. It is wild and exciting and remains the preserve of the true traveller.

Wildlife,Borneo Expedition, Sabah, Borneo

Why visit Indonesian Borneo

Indonesian Borneo is a wild, exotic part of Asia, home to tropical forests harbouring rich wildlife. This jungle-covered island is for travellers seeking an authentic wildlife experience and for many a highlight is spending time on an orangutan safari in Tanjung Puting National Park. Staying in simple accommodation visitors can hope to see orangutan as well as proboscis monkey, civets, sun bear and over 230 species of bird.

Young Orangutan, Borneo
Young orangutan
Proboscis Monkey, Borneo
Male proboscis monkey

Orangutan conservation

Primate research station Camp Leakey has helped to develop eco-tourism as an important role in Indonesia’s economy, helping to stave off the ever present threat of palm oil plantations and logging. Located within Tanjung Puting National Park, a vast area of jungle, swamps, coastal mangroves and river networks, conservation efforts have ensured that this area remains home to a population of orangutan as well as a wealth of other wildlife.

Steppes Travel can arrange private group tours to this area of Indonesian Borneo in co-operation with the Orangutan Foundation allowing you to experience the wonder of this area in the company of experts.

Aerial, Gaya Island Resort, Sabah, Malaysia
Gaya Island, Sabah
View from top of mountain towards sharp summit peak above clouds.
Mount Kinabalu summit, Borneo

Malaysian Borneo

While Indonesian Borneo occupies 73% of this huge island, Malaysian Borneo along with the tiny nation of Brunei make up the remaining 27%. Split into the states of Sabah and Sarawak, whilst still offering a wonderful wildlife experience Malaysian Borneo is more accessible and offers visitors a well rounded holiday, ranging from coastal resorts to mountains and culture.

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  • Malaysian Borneo - Sabah
  • Malaysian Borneo - Sarawak
  • Indonesian Borneo - Tanjung Puting NP

Experiences

A selection of activities and experiences you could consider including in your holiday to Indonesian Borneo.

Orangutan, Borneo Expedition, Sabah, Borneo
 

Orangutan Conservation

Stay at Rimba Lodge deep in Indonesian Borneo and join experts from the Orangutan Foundation, travelling deep into the forest in search of orangutan to gain privileged insight into conservation projects.

Maliau Basin Hike, Sabah, Borneo
 

Yayorin Charity Visit

Visit this grass roots conservation NGO who work with local communities in order to protect orangutans by promoting conservation as beneficial to them. Partners with the Orangutan Foundation they are located in an environmental education centre called Kampung Konservasi (meaning conservation village).

Orangutan in the jungle of indonesia, Borneo
 

Visit Lamandau River Wildlife Reserve

Travel along the Arut River to the Lamandau River Wildlife Reserve – a release site for reintroduced orangutans. This site is not open to the public although Steppes Travel has exclusive access on our Orangutan Conservation group tour enabling our guests to view the orangutans and their environment in privacy – a unique opportunity.

Tanjung Puting National Park, Borneo
 

Borneo Wildlife River Cruise

Stay at Rimba Lodge and cruise the Sekonyer River on a traditional klotok boat in search of orangutan, proboscis monkeys, hornbills and monitor lizards.

Suggested hotel

Idea
Malaysia
Best of Malaysian Borneo
This two-week holiday to Malaysian Borneo explores the state of Sabah, from Danum Valley to Sepilok and Kota Kinabalu. Rainforest and river exploration combines with mountain conquering, before the holiday culminates with time to chill out on the beach.
14 days from $5,910pp
Young orangutan in soft release programme in Lamandau, Indonesian Borneo, Orangutan Foundation
View Holiday Idea
Idea
Indonesia
Highlights of Indonesia
Whether a honeymoon, a well-deserved break or family travels, this 15-day holiday to Indonesia would, with a few bespoke tweaks, suit all options. It includes the highlights of Bali, with both the beach and the cultural heart of Ubud plus time searching…
15 days from $6,525pp
Ubud Market, Indonesia, Balinese market,
View Holiday Idea

Need Inspiration?
Browse our Borneo holiday ideas.

Our Borneo experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something to spark ideas for a unique adventure.

Idea
Malaysia
Best of Malaysian Borneo
This two-week holiday to Malaysian Borneo explores the state of Sabah, from Danum Valley to Sepilok and Kota Kinabalu. Rainforest and river exploration combines with mountain conquering, before the holiday culminates with time to chill out on the beach.
14 days from $5,910pp
Young orangutan in soft release programme in Lamandau, Indonesian Borneo, Orangutan Foundation
View Holiday Idea
Idea
Indonesia
Highlights of Indonesia
Whether a honeymoon, a well-deserved break or family travels, this 15-day holiday to Indonesia would, with a few bespoke tweaks, suit all options. It includes the highlights of Bali, with both the beach and the cultural heart of Ubud plus…
15 days from $6,525pp
Ubud Market, Indonesia, Balinese market,
View Holiday Idea
View all holiday ideas

Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Clare Diving in Indonesia
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Clare Wiggins

My love for Asia began with living there. Based in Vietnam and then Malaysia, I also explored the surrounding regions before eventually finding my way back home via China and the Trans-Siberian railway. At Steppes Travel, I get to share that love for Asia every day, helping clients experience the places I know best as if they were locals themselves.

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