Best place to see orangutans
Best Place to See Orangutans
This article is my honest advice of the best place to see orangutans in Sumatra and Borneo (Indonesia and Malaysian parts). I’ve been photographing and fund raising for Orangutan conservation for twenty years now. Having covered every part of Sumatra and Borneo I hope this article will help you have the best possible experience if you want to see orangutans in the wild.
Orangutan Species
There are three distinct species of orangutans: the Bornean, the Sumatran and the Tapanuli. All three species are now critically endangered due to savage habitat loss over the last 30 years.
Where do Orangutans Live ?
Wild orangutans are only found in Sumatra and Borneo – including both the Indonesian and Malaysian parts of the island. They look quite different too with Sumatran orangutans tending to be smaller and the dominant males have far less impressive cheek pads.
So where is the best place to see orangutans in the wild ?
1) Tanjung Puting National Park, Indonesian Borneo.
A thriving population of over 4000 wild orangutans in well protected forest covering an area of over 4000 square kilometres easily makes this the best place to see orangutans in the world by some way. There’s also lots of semi-wild orangutans which are orangutans that have been re-released into the National Park some time ago. Three areas of the park have supplementary feeding platforms where you’ll get to see orangutans at staggeringly close quarters. Travelling by boat along the rivers give you the best chance of seeing wild orangutans by the side of the river. I’ve spent 20 years here and my record is 38 good sightings of wild orangutans in a week along with scores of close encounters with semi wild ones at the feeding sites. The name semi wild is largely a misnomer these days. These are orangutans who have been re-released back into the forest here many years go. Many have had babies and they all live in the rainforest as free animals. There is such a high density of orangutans in some parts of Tanjung Puting that the supplementary feeding areas are vital to ensuring they all have enough food. It’s not uncommon for pure wild orangutans to also visit the feeding platforms.
For solo travellers or couples you can stay overnight on one of the beautiful Indonesian Klotoks which is the name for the local boats that will take you into the park. Or for those wanting more comfort you can stay at Rimba Lodge pictured in the bottom right hand corner of my image above. Or you could come on one of my Borneo orangutan holidays which have raised tens of £1000s for orangutan conservation which allow you access to places normally off limits to tourists. There’s ten other primate species here including one of the most important populations left of Proboscis monkeys which you’ll see every day. Over 200 birds species and numerous other mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
2) Lamandau Wildlife Reserve Borneo
The only reason I haven’t put this as number one is that entry is carefully restricted to Orangutan Foundation staff as this an orangutan release site and it’s vital that human interactions are kept to their minimum. Usually on my Borneo Orangutan photography tours we spend one delightful day there particularly if the timings of my trips coincide with the release of an orangutan back into the wild. Borders Tanjung Puting National Park. Hundreds of 1000s of saplings have been planted in Lamandau and this special project has created numerous local jobs to help protect the area.
3) Ketambe, Sumatra
Ketambe is still a reasonably small village about a ten hour drive from Medan along rough roads. With a number of guest houses, you ask around and you’ll find someone to take you into the forest, usually on a two night, three day trek. You’ll need to be fit and strong and be able to carry everything you need including camping gear and food. Water is readily available by boiling it from the rivers over a fire where you set up camp. You probably won’t see orangutans at close quarters but this area still has some beautiful primary rain forest. Longer treks are possible. Many years ago I did an amazing 28 day trek where you climb up through the forest up and over Gunung Leuser and then down to the West Sumatran coast. I presume no one does this these days as your last two weeks would be walking through charred remains of forest and palm oil plantations.
4) Danum Valley, Malaysian, Borneo
Although the rainforest is degraded here – which you’ll very much see on your journey to get there – you have the bonus of standing a chance of seeing Borneo pigmy elephants, although sadly quite a few were poisoned a few years ago. Stay at the gorgeous Danum Valley Rainforest lodge for some luxury accommodation. A series of raised forest walkways make this area a great place for birding with sightings of the stunning helmeted hornbill possible. The nearby Kinabatangan River is still regarded as a reasonably reliable place to see occasional orangutans and proboscis monkeys although one side is now horribly degraded. It used to be possible to stay at the nearby research centre in their bunk rooms which is much cheaper than the lodge. You’d then somehow need to blag your way onto the forest canopy walkways which didn’t use to be hard with a little cash.
5) Maliau Basin Conservation Area
Nestled in the southern central part of Sabah, Malasian Borneo, lies the beautiful Maliau conservation area. Good ares of pristine forest along with beautiful rivers and waterfalls. You’ll need to be fit as this is a trekking experience and you are strictly only allowed to walk there as part of a small group which can be arranged via the Maliau Conservation Trust which is here. Chances of seeing anything but a far off sighting of an orangutan is unlikely but what an utterly beautiful place to trek.
6) Batang Ai National Park, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo
Batang Ai National Park is located in Sarawak, Malaysia, in the very southern part of Malaysian Borneo close to the border with Indonesian Kalimantan. It’s nestled about 250 km east of Kuching in Lubok Antu province. You’ll stay in an Iban longhouse and go by boat and on foot to explore the park. An occasional glimpse in the distance of an orangutan is possible when you are on the rivers but good for birding.
7) Tangkahan, Sumatra
I was first invited by Flora & Fauna International to stay here with the Mahoots when this project was established. Previously used in the illegal logging industry, there are nine elephants which were rescued from awful conditions in North Sumatra. Early mornings are spent washing the elephants before heading into the forest on one. Highly unlikely to see an orangutan close here, but depending on your view of riding captive elephants can be a lovely experience. Personally I feel that all elephant rides should be avoided anywhere in the world. But Tangkahan is slightly different in that the elephants were rescued from such awful conditions that I make this one exception. I lived with the Mahoots for two weeks and they genuinely love and care for their elephants who seem to be thriving in their new role. The elephants are also used to patrol the forest looking for illegal activities. You’ll be brushing through dense tropical rain forest on the elephants so leeches are very much part of the experience. You’ll stop every couple of hours to de-leech your self and will almost certainly have a huge number even if you are wearing long trousers and long sleeve shirts.
8) Bukit Luwang, Sumatra
There’s a very steep drop off in experience here. Bukit Lawang used to be a tiny village on the shores of a huge river. Today it’s a crowded tourist hub (both Indonesians and foreign tourists) where people typically go into the forest for either a one day trek or two days/one night camping trip and then come back down the river on an inflatable tube. Unfortunately the guides have started feeding wild orangutans bananas so that you can see them very close to the village. Grim – please avoid.
9) Sepilok, Malayasian Borneo
Usually visited as part of a tourist package holiday where you travel around north eastern Malaysian Borneo and often combined with a stay on one of the islands off the coast where you can see turtles. Forest incredibly degraded here but they do some great work in fundraising from the tourist $. One feeding site – usually crowds of tourists – means you’ll definitely get to see orangutans. Can feel very zoo like but if you are more interested in other things it will allow you to tick off seeing these great apes. Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid the peak crowds.
Best time of year to see orangutans
Personally I prefer rainy season which used to start early October and go through to late March. Like everywhere in the world the climate has changed hugely in this part of the world over the last decade. It’s often been unusually dry in rainy season apart from one year of intense flooding. Less tourists visit as they read a generic guidebook saying avoid rainy season. Typically rainy season in this part of the world means you get a downpour late afternoon for half an hour which clears the air and makes for great photographic possibilities. Orangutans look wonderful after rain and you also get spectacular sunsets at this time of the year. More fruit in the forest so best time of year for wildlife sightings.
I hope this has been useful in finding the best place to see orangutans which suit you and wish you well on your travels.
Key Orangutan Conservation NGOs
Sumatran Orangutan Survival Program (SOSP)
Thought I should finish this article on the best place to see orangutans with a short video clip of one of my guests on my Borneo orangutan photography trip last year in beautiful Lamandau.
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO PHOTOGRAPH WILD ORANGUTANS IN BORNEO
There’s something deeply moving about locking eyes with a wild orangutan — something ancient, intelligent, and achingly familiar. On my Borneo orangutan photography tours, those encounters aren’t just possible — they’re the heart of the experience. For nearly 20 years, I’ve led small groups into Tanjung Puting National Park, a lush stretch of rainforest in Indonesian Borneo, where orangutans swing through the trees, proboscis monkeys leap between branches, and hornbills beat their wings overhead. Here’s what you can expect:
🦧 Orangutans – Wild, Free, and astonishingly expressive
Tanjung Puting is the best place to see orangutans in the world – and photograph them up close, respectfully, and without barriers. These critically endangered apes move with grace and intelligence through the trees, and no two encounters are the same.
You might witness a mother with her young, a dominant male crashing through the canopy, or a quiet juvenile peering curiously at your lens. I’ll help you make the most of every moment — from camera settings to composition — but honestly, some moments are best just absorbed.
🐒 Proboscis Monkeys – Borneo’s Comical Tree Dwellers
Unique to Borneo, proboscis monkeys are as quirky as they are photogenic. With their long noses, potbellies, and bounding leaps from branch to branch, they’re a joy to watch and photograph. We often spot them near riverbanks in the early morning and evening light — prime time for photography.
Their complex social behaviors and striking appearance make for some of the most dynamic images of the tour.
🐦 More Than Just Primates: Birds, Crocs & Jungle Surprises
Tanjung Puting is full of surprises. During our river journeys, we often spot rhinoceros hornbills, stork-billed kingfishers, and occasionally crocodiles gliding just beneath the water’s surface.
Night brings another world to life — glowing insects, distant calls, and, sometimes, unexpected animal sightings that seem to appear from the shadows. It’s all part of the immersive experience of being deep in the rainforest.
🚤 Why a Riverboat Tour Makes All the Difference
We travel on a private, traditional klotok riverboat, which becomes our floating base for photography and exploration. It’s a peaceful, slow-paced way to experience the forest — with no crowds, just the sounds of water and wildlife.
The rhythm of the river allows for natural, low-impact photography opportunities that don’t disturb the animals — or the forest.
Conservation in Action
Your presence here supports real conservation. All profits from these tours are donated to the Orangutan Foundation UK, who I’m proud to be an ambassador for. you’ll get a chance to visit some of their field projects on my trips. It’s an incredible feeling to know that your wildlife encounters are helping ensure a future for the species you’re photographing.
Photographing orangutans in Borneo isn’t just about getting the shot — it’s about connection. With the forest, with the animals, with a shared responsibility to protect them.
If you’re ready for a life-changing experience, I’d love to have you join me on the next tour.