My Borneo orangutan photography tour was all I imagined and more. If you’re looking for a trip where you walk away feeling like you’ve gained an insight into another world, then this is the one for you. Amazing.” Rebecca Logan

Join me on a unique orangutan photography tour in the pristine rainforests of Tanjung Puting national park, Borneo. In partnership with the Orangutan Foundation I’ve been leading these trips for over 15 years and they are always a highlight of my year. This is so much more than an orangutan photography tour – it’s an intimate wildlife experience that brings you face to face with orangutans, proboscis moneys and a dazzling variety of rainforest species. All while supporting inspiring conservation as the profits are donated to the Orangutan Foundation UK. I’m delighted that over the last couple of decades we’ve contributed tens of £1000s and you’ll see some of the projects that your holiday supports. We’ll get the opportunity to get quite close to lots of the wildlife meaning you don’t need highly specialist camera equipment to get photos that you’ll be proud of and non-photography people are most welcome too. I’m sure you want to see the dates and cost first which are underneath this photo. And then below that you’ll find lots of info, photos, video clips etc to give you a better feel for the trip. I’d love to have you join me on a future orangutan holiday – contact me here about these.

2025 dates

Due to other commitments I’m just running one Orangutan photography tour this year in October time as follows:

22nd October 2025 to 30th October 2025  Contact me here for availabilty

NEW 2026 dates open for booking

Trip 1: 22nd October 2026 to 30th October 2026 – Contact me here  for availability

Trip 2: 7th to 15th November 2026 – Contact me here  for availability

To see a few photos from our last orangutan photography tour in 2024 please click here.

And a few photos from the 2023 trips are here.

£2775 per person based on sharing a double or twin room or £2965 per person for single room

A deposit of £800 is needed to reserve a place with the balance payable 4 months prior to departure.

Including: All national park permits; 7 nights accommodation at Rimba lodge (all rooms have on-suite bathrooms with hot showers, mosquito nets and air conditioning). Our own luxury boat with crew; membership to the Orangutan Foundation UK and a donation of £350 per person to them.

Excluding: Your international flights to Jakarta where we all stay at a hotel the evening before travelling to Borneo together. Our internal flights from Jakarta to Borneo and back are booked for you by my agent in Jakarta. The cost of the Jakarta hotel and your internal flights are approx £250.

It was incredibly special to see so many orangutans and other species living happy and free in the rainforest. Ian’s knowledge of the wildlife and his relationships with local people made the experience easy, enjoyable and unforgettable. Liz Vagg

A video clip of an orangutan release we watched on my last orangutan photography tour. 

Intimate wildlife encounters

Get close – respectfully and ethically – to orangutans in their natural rainforest habitat. As well as over 4000 orangutans thriving here, you’ll also photograph plenty of other primates, birds and other rare wildlife unique to Borneo.

Suitable for all levels

Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or a passionate beginner I’ll offer personal guidance to help you capture your best shots. Non-photographers are equally welcome and when it works best this orangutan photography tour quickly becomes a group of friends sharing a humbling experience together.

Support conservation firsthand

This orangutan photography tour directly supports the Orangutan Foundation UK with the profits donated to them. You’ll visit some of the field projects that your trip helps fund gaining an insight to the hugely successful orangutan conservation efforts.

Small group, Big impact

With a maximum group size of 8, you’ll enjoy a relaxed low-impact travel experience that respects and benefits the local environment and communities.

• Daily guided boat journeys deep into the rainforest aboard our traditional Klotok riverboat. This is comfortable with plenty of space to both observe & photograph the wildlife and areas to chill out in.
• Daily visits to orangutan feeding areas in the rainforest. Supplementary fruit is provided at these each day to support the orangutan population and affords opportunities to see and photography these great ape at close quarters.
• Comfortable accommodation at our rainforest lodge. All rooms have private bathrooms, aircon & mosquito nets.
• Yummy food both onboard our boat and in the evening at the lodge. Vegetarians & vegans are well catered for.
• Opportunites to see the Orangutan Foundation’s work in action.

Shortly after entering Tanjung Puting national park, civilization will soon dissolve away behind us. Tanjung Puting national park has no roads so we’ll explore each day by river and on foot. Our boat is comfortable and spacious ensuring there’s plenty of room for everyone to take photos from. Its large shaded area also provides the perfect space to relax while we cruise along beautiful rivers in search of wildlife. Orangutans, proboscis monkeys and other primates along with numerous bird species are regularly seen. We’ll visit many places in the park including orangutan feeding stations in the forest and the famous Camp Leakey research centre.

Our small group size (max 8 people) ensures there’s plenty of time for individual advice on photography. At night we all stay at Rimba Lodge which is located in the park. Comfortable and clean with on-suite bathrooms and hot showers; this is the ideal place to regroup after our day’s adventures. It has a lovely restaurant which serves yummy food which we’ll share together each evening. After supper we can have a look at a few of our photos from the day, which is a great way to develop our creative juices.

A wonderful combination of brilliant photographic opportunities and meeting new friends. Having a holiday where you can relax in beautiful surroundings, learn a new skill and take away some wonderful memories. What could be better, thank you so much.” Gill and Andy Tarrant

A couple of video clips to give you an idea of what to expect on this Borneo orangutan holiday.

To see a few photos from my last Borneo orangutan holiday please click here.

Orangutan photography tour October 2023 trip report is here.

Orangutan photography tour October 2019 trip report is here.

Orangutan photography tour November 2019 trip report is here.

Orangutan photography tour October 2018 trip report is here. 

Orangutan photography tour November 2018 – a few photos from this tour are here.

Orangutan photography tour Oct 2017 –  To read a trip report click here.

Orangutan photography tour November 2017 trip report is here.

The opportunity to get so close to the orangutans and observe their behaviour was awe inspiring. Ian’s informal approach to the photography was great and he was always on hand to give advice when needed without making the day overly structured. Claire Knights

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 over 15 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 one of the best places in the world to see wild orangutans — 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, and you’ll get a chance to visit some of their field projects. 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.

I’m very grateful for the many friendships which have blossomed from my Borneo orangutan holidays. Thanks for the lovely feedback below.

“What did this trip mean to me ? The world ! Sharing this experience was such fun and to see and photograph the orangutans was a life changing experience. ” Ella Clayton

“This orangutan photography tour enabled me to get a sound knowledge of my first digital camera and the one-to-one tuition gave me the confidence to experiment with different camera settings. It was a relaxing way to photograph wildlife with a small friendly group of people.” Colin Williams

“Ian’s trip would have to rank up there as one the best things I have ever done. To be in the presence of these wonderful animals is a memory to be treasured always and to learn so much from one so committed to the animals and his photography was an added bonus.” Barbara Hagger

“Our orangutan photography tout with Ian was a marvellous experience. To get so close to the wildlife and particularly the Orangutans made for a unique opportunity to see the rainforest. ” Mike Helliwell

“As an amateur photographer with a travel bug, it seemed like a great opportunity to combine a new destination with my hobby and to join Ian on this trip. I am so pleased that I did. Not only was I able to practice wildlife photography under Ian’s expert guidance but I also gained so much insight into the plight of the Orangutans and other animals that share our planet with us. Ian is a mine of information and his enthusiasm for wildlife conservation is such an inspiration. ”  Kevin Pamphlion

“We were looking for a trip that gave us a particular mix of wildlife , personalised travel and developing our camera skills. This trip ticked all the boxes. Very relaxing, learning at our own pace, spoilt for wildlife and above all great fun.” Jools and Gillian Lloyd.

“Lifetime ambition achieved ! A great small group holiday getting closer to orangutans than we ever thought whilst learning how to use our cameras properly. We have already and will in the future recommend you to others.” Tim and Kathy Burrows

“Meeting the orangutans was totally amazing along with all the other wildlife including the proboscis monkeys. It was such a pleasure to hang out with Ian and the rest of the group for the week. I couldn’t have asked for a better bunch. The only negative is that it’s over and I’m back at my desk but I’ll always have fantastic memories.” Jerry Esterly

“A fantastic trip and an exceptional opportunity to spend time in the presence of Orangutans, Proboscis monkeys and so much other wildlife. The memories will stay with me for ever.” James McClelland

“Thank you so much. This was the trip of a lifetime and I can’t wait for my next one.” Sarah Marshall

“The highlight for me was to witness, first hand, the amazing work carried out by the Orangutan Foundation and to meet orphaned Orangutan baby ‘Mona’ and Sun Bears Bruno and newly adopted Paddington’as they partake of the program before being released back into the wild. For that, we have to thank Ashley and her team for allowing us behind the scenes, to see their dedication and how wonderful they care for these beautiful animals. ” Kevin Pamphlion

“The opportunity to get so close to the orangutans and observe their behaviour was awe inspiring. Ian’s informal approach to the photography was great and he was always on hand to give advice when needed without making the day overly structured.” Claire Knights, England

“A wonderful trip. I learnt so much and came back inspired; not just to take better photos but also to do something to help save these incredible animals.” Elaine Clueit, England

“Thank you so much. The holiday was a fantastic way of combining an interest in photography with experiencing close up encounters with orangutans and other wildlife in their natural environment.” Lucy Buckley

“This holiday exceeded all my expectations. I never thought we’d see so many orangutans and our time in Borneo was such brilliant fun too.” Isabelle Sutton

“What were the highlights ? Such amazing sightings of orangutans so close up and the beauty of the forest. But also all the other wildlife we saw and our lovely group of people I spent the week with.” Tara Britton.

“My Borneo orangutan holiday with Ian was a life time ambition of mine. I just loved watching those orangutans and all their babies. The tenderness of the one day old baby made me cry !” Ellie Devonshire

“You promised me orangutans but I never dreamt that we would see quite so many. Watching the Proboscis monkeys at sunset was also a highlight for me and the fireflies; they were just so lovely and I even got some photos of them thanks to your advice. Thanks for a great trip. ” Leon Welsh

“Where to start ? I suppose it has to be with the orangutans but we saw so much other wildlife. Proboscis monkeys leaping through the trees and crocodiles in the rivers. Long tailed macaques and gibbons and all those kingfishers too.” Danny Walker

“For me, this was a holiday made in heaven. Thanks to Ian’s patient tuition, I learned how to use my new digital camera by spending so many hours in the company of orangutans. ” Valerie Shipp England

“I’ve just returned home so happy from my orangutan photography tour with Ian. I’ve got many lovely photos from our trip and hope to see you all again in the future.” Anne Hamilton

“Thank you so much for your patient photography tuition and your wildlife knowledge. Seeing all those orangutans with real hope for the future was beautiful and touching.” Sophy Gilmore

“Can I come back next year and carry your bag !? Thanks for a brilliant orangutan photography tour and great adventure. Seeing those adorable orangutans and all the other wildlife was truly wonderful.” Claire Tiffin

“Our trip to Lamandau and Camp Leakey were highlights for me. Going by speedboat down all those rivers and then witnessing the behaviour of the orangutans … just so special.” Paula Martial

“It was incredibly special to see so many orangutans and other species living happy and free in the rainforest. Ian’s knowledge of the wildlife and his relationships with local people made the experience easy, enjoyable and unforgettable.” Liz Vagg

“I came across this orangutan photography tour through the Orangutan Foundation website and was keen to do something a bit different. So with a love of orangutans and a new camera I decided to give it a go. I couldn’t have asked for a better group because you really do feel like you have known each other for ages. The orangutans were so close by and everyday brought a new story to share. Amazing. Roll on the next trip.” Lucy McDonagh

“The trip to Lamandua which was so special and inspiring. Other visitors aren’t allowed in this area which meant that we had the orangutans all to ourselves and also saw some of the projects run by the Orangutan Foundation.” Mark Thompson

“To be in the presence of orangutans so regularly was great; both to observe their behaviour and have opportunities to improve our photography skills every day.” Emma Thompson