Tanjung Puting National Park has been called one of the natural wonders of the world. A vast and dense rainforest that spans over four thousand square kilometres, Tanjung Puting is full of wild orangutans who love the tree tops and swampy mangroves. The best way to get a great view of wild orangutans is to travel down the Sekonyer River on a Klotok. A Klotok is a type of river houseboat, used by locals to transport goods up and down the river, and also by tourists as a great way to get around.

Orangutans are unique in many ways. They are the only Great Ape in Southeast Asia, and the only Great Ape (other than humans) found outside Africa. They are the only ‘red’ ape, and the only strictly arboreal ape, meaning that they spend their lives in the forest canopy, even building nests in the trees in which to sleep. The other Great Apes (chimpanzees, bonobos and gorillas) do climb and build nests in the trees, but tend to spend their lives on the ground.

Orangutans also differ from the other Great Apes in that they do not live in family groups. The largest family unit is a female and two offspring, and males and females usually meet up only to breed. Orangutans are highly intelligent and gentle animals. They use tools in the wild and have excellent memories, making mental maps of their forest home in order to find fruiting trees throughout the seasons.

The easiest way to get to Tanjung Putting National Park is via Klotok. It’s a good idea to make sure your tour booking includes or can arrange an airport or hotel transfer, as well as transport to and from the park. Between travelling on a Klotok, bonding with a local tour guide and spotting the elusive Bornean orangutan throughout your trip, Tanjung Puting National Park has it all.

The best part ? Tanjung Puting is also home to the well-known research facility Camp Leaky, where you can meet wildlife researchers, get up close with orangutans in rehabilitation and other creatures of the jungle.