Kalimantan Is Indonesia's Gem for Animal Lovers

Borneo is an island that offers adventure, excitement, exploration and a plethora of animals in their natural habitat. It is a one-of-a-kind tourist destination that deserves much more recognition.

Borneo is divided into three countries: Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. Most tourists gravitate towards the Malaysian part of the island. And it's not hard to see why. The natural landscapes of this part of Borneo are breathtaking, and these attractions are advertised much more often.

However, 73% of the island belongs to Indonesia and is called Kalimantan. Therefore, it is logical to assume that Kalimantan also has a lot to offer, and this is certainly a correct assumption. The attraction of the Indonesian part of the island is overwhelming, especially for animal lovers.

There are only two places in the world where you can see orangutans in their natural habitat: Borneo and Sumatra. Tanjungputing National Park in central Kalimantan is home to the largest population of great apes. It is estimated to be home to between 30,000 and 40,000 orangutans.

The idea of seeing a "man of the forest" slowly moving from tree to tree, swaying slightly, is of course the main reason why most people are attracted to Central Kalimantan's most popular attraction, although there are many other fascinating creatures to be found among the leaves and branches.

Nosachis, gibbons, Malay bears (biruangs) and zambar deer are just some of the animals that can be found. Not to mention that Tanjungputing is home to over 200 different species of birds.

A variety of excursion programs are offered. Due to the huge size of the park (4,150 square kilometers), visitors usually choose tours that allow them to explore and observe animals for at least several days.

Most, if not all, experiences will come from excursions on a traditional 'klotok' boat. Some options include guided trekking through the forest, camping in the jungle and staying at Tanjungputing's only hotel.

Outside the national parks, they are also often used as transportation in floating markets and fishing areas. Most clotokas in Tanjungputing National Park have beds with mosquito nets on the lower deck for sleeping.

A trip to Camp Lika is often included in tour packages and is well worth a visit. It is a rehabilitation center for orangutans and a research center for scientists and students. Camp Leakey was established in 1971 by Canadian anthropologist and primatologist Dr. Birute Galdikas.

Named after Luis Leakey, Galdikas' mentor and inspiration, the sanctuary was originally established to rescue and educate monkeys who were victims of domestic capture. When the center first appeared in Kalimantan, it was just two huts. However, it has since evolved into a complex of facilities practically designed for the convenience of the park's researchers, staff and rangers.

Due to the sensitive nature of the rehabilitation center, visitors are only allowed to visit during certain hours and are not allowed to stay overnight. Guests will be shown and told the fascinating background of the Camp Lika project, as well as the challenges faced by specific orangutans and the methods the center has adopted to help them heal.

The group will then head to the feeding station to watch the apes enjoy their meal. Interestingly, it is not uncommon to see recently rehabilitated orangutans happily swinging in the trees near the camp, which is due to their developed bond with the area. Other species of monkeys such as long-tailed macaques and gibbons can also be seen here.

Continuing with the theme of exciting cliff boat rides, a leisurely cruise on the Mahakam River, Kalimantan's longest river, is an exciting way to spend a few days. On this river, located in the eastern part of the island, there is also a chance to see dolphin swimming downstream.

Unfortunately, in recent years, the dolphins that inhabit the Mahakam River have become endangered, with an estimated less than 90 remaining. Their numbers have declined significantly after spawning marshes were turned into oil palm plantations and coal barges polluted the river.

But on the positive side, remedial measures have been taken. The Rainforest Trust and Yayasan Konservasi RASI have established a peatland reserve on the Mahakam River, which is 440,297 protected acres of space where dolphins can swim in healthier waters.

Just like Tanjungputing National Park, there are many cruise options on the Mahakam River. Along the way, you can meet many animals, as the river and the surrounding area are full of living creatures. However, what is of most interest is the community of people living by the river, more specifically their peculiar shared houses known as longhouses (or long houses).

In Borneo, the indigenous people who do not practice Islam are called Dayaks. Dayak communities have developed in many different regions of the island and tend to settle along rivers.

Mahakam thus offers a great opportunity to experience the cultural traditions of Kalimantan. Dayak societies are particularly unique because of the dwellings they usually build and live in.

The south of the island is famous for its floating markets, which are an alternative pleasant way to spend the morning. Although there are several markets to choose from, most tourists prefer the Lok Baintan market. It is located on the Martapura River and has been in operation for over 500 years. Lok Baintan mainly consists of many junking (canoes) filled with colorful fruits and vegetables. The scene is very picturesque. It should be noted that this floating market closes at around 9 am, so it is necessary to arrive early.

Impatient and motion sickness-afflicted tourists are unlikely to enjoy a trip to the Derawan Islands, located off the eastern side of Kalimantan. Air travel is limited, buses are infrequent, cabs are erratic, and boats only set sail on the rocky waters when they are deemed full.

In addition, there is usually little indication as to whether a vehicle will quickly or slowly reach sufficient capacity. Therefore, it is wise to arrive early, but you may end up waiting for a long time. Nevertheless, in this case patience will be rewarded.

There are 31 islands in the Derawan Archipelago, but Derawan, Maratua, Kakaban and Sangalaki have the highest tourist traffic. Derawan is the closest island to Borneo and therefore it is usually the first destination for most tourists. It is a small and peaceful place. The locals here are friendly, the beaches are stunning and large sea turtles are seen regularly.

Maratua is the next island and the most paradisiacal of all. Maratua consists of sandy beaches, mangrove forests, surrounded by a lagoon, coral and rocks. In keeping with the main theme of the Derwan Archipelago, there is also much to see under the waters of Maratua. Apart from the stunning coral reef, it is home to exotic fish and manta rays that are mesmerizing in their beauty.

Neither Cacaban nor Sangalaki offer many options for overnight accommodations, so most travelers prefer to take day trips to these two islands.

At Cacabana you can swim with jellyfish that don't sting! Surprisingly, there are no predators in the lake where they live. Consequently, these jellyfish have no need for venom and have lost it over time. There are only three places in the world where this is possible: Kakaban, Togean Island, Indonesia, and Rock Island, Micronesia. It is truly a spectacular sight.

And finally, Sangalaki, which has been called one of the best diving and snorkeling spots on the planet. This island offers a number of fantastic dive sites. Coral Gardens, Channel Inlet and Sandy Ridge are three spots that are teeming with huge arrays of rare marine life. If you time your arrival to coincide with the breeding season, there is even a unique opportunity to see turtles laying eggs.

In the area of the Derwan Archipelago you can see the following inhabitants: whale sharks, tiger sharks, hammerhead sharks, dolphins, rare octopuses, giant squid, starfish, barracuda, exotic cuttlefish, pufferfish, yellow-spotted karanks, jellyfish, turtles and manta rays.