The exotic adventure you need to take now!

Wedged between Indonesia and Malaysia is the island of Borneo, home to the famous orang-utan. While Malaysian Borneo is most often visited, Indonesian Borneo has a lesser-known gem tucked away in the jungle that is well worth a look. In Tanjung Puting National Park, only accessible by boat, lies Camp Leakey the original orangutan conservation and research centre established in 1971 by Dr Biruté Galdikas. It’s a fabulous world where a chat and a walk with an orang-utan is an every day occurrence.

Here are 10 reasons why you need to plan your adventure to Borneo now!

1. The man of the forest. At Camp Leakey you’re able to get right up close and personal with the orang-utans. Amazing moments with these creatures abound; like being greeted by Peta and her baby at the boardwalk, inspected for food by Ursula as you enter the camp and having a conversation with Siswe while you’re waiting for feeding time.
2. The biodiversity. When we hear “Borneo” we automatically think of orang-utans but there is an incredible variety of other plants and wildlife. Orang-utans, gibbons, numerous species of monkeys (including the Probiscus monkey native only to Borneo), kingfishers, hornbills and crocodiles all share the jungle. Not to mention the plants, fungi and weird and wacky insects you’ll see along the way too!
3. The feel. There is nothing like floating up and down a river on a traditional klotok (boat) to help you unwind. The jungle is full of life but peaceful – the chirping of birds and calling of primates makes for an inspiring soundtrack to your trip.
4. The terrain. Tanjung Puting National is jungle but it’s flat and easy to walk through. If you can walk for 20 minutes along a flat road, you’ll cope with the demands of walking to and from the feeding stations.
5. The people. The Indonesian people are polite, helpful and have a great sense of humour. With all tours available you’re looked after by a local English-speaking guide, a cook, captain and crew members who look after the boat. Constant joking and amusing Indonesian lessons will have you laughing the entire trip.
6. The location. Tanjung Puting National Park is quick and easy to get to from Australia. After a short flight to Jakarta, it’s just a 90 minute hop and skip to Pankalanbun where you’re met by your guide and driven the 20 minutes to your boat. You can spend two to five days in the National Park and have an amazing holiday in a quick week away.
7. The climate. You can visit year-round as there isn’t a specific wet and dry season although you need to be prepared for some tropical humidity. It will often storm in the afternoons rejuvenating the jungle and all it’s inhabitants.
8. The cost. At around $100-150 per day, a tour of Camp Leakey and Tanjung Puting National Park is a cheap holiday option. The more people in your party, the cheaper it will be, too, so rally the troops!
9. The package. With most tour operators your guide will meet you at the airport and drop you off again so you are never left to fend for yourself. The cost generally includes your guide, boat and crew, all meals, accommodation and national park fees so once you are booked you won’t need to worry about a thing except packing.
10. The cause. Your visit to Camp Leakey includes a donation to the Orang-utan Foundation International to help them continue to protect and conserve the orangutan and the jungle so these amazing creatures are around for generations to come.

So take yourself on an adventure, and explore somewhere new and exciting!

What exotic location would you love to visit and why?