Tanjung Puting National Park is located in Central Kalimantan. It was initially a nature and wildlife reserve established by the Dutch East Indies government in 1937. Tanjung Puting National Park is known as the largest and most diverse example of the protected peat swamp forest and coastal tropical grasslands that once covered much of southern Borneo.
The area was originally declared a wildlife reserve in 1935 and a National Park in 1982. The park was ratified as a national park by the Minister of Forestry on October 25, 1996.
My friend and I decided to go to Tanjung Puting National Park using a travel agent because it was much cheaper than going alone. We lived on board by going down Sungai Sekonyer for three days and two nights. It was a wonderful experience. The best attraction in this destination is the Orangutan.
Orangutans are the largest arboreal mammals and spend most of their time in trees. They are great apes native to the rainforests of Indonesia. Currently, they are now found only in parts of Borneo and Sumatra. Do you want to know the details about Tanjung Puting as an orangutan habitat? Keep reading.
Journey to Kumai Pier from The Airport
On the first day, long story short, our journey from Jakarta to Pangkalan Bun continued to the Kumai pier. From Pangkalan Bun, we were picked up using two cars by a Tour Guide we had booked to go to the Kumai pier. Our Tour Guide was super friendly. He is an indigenous person. The point is that we are delighted with the services they provide.
During the trip to Kumai, we passed several urban tourist attractions and a long row of very green Kalimantan forests. The journey to Kumai is not so far. It takes approximately one hour. Finally, we arrived at the Kumai pier, which was surrounded by houses. Kumai is the last pier before going down the river and taking a long journey to the Tanjung Puting area.
Upon arrival at the jetty, we saw many klotoks docked. Klotok is a traditional means of transportation owned by the local community in the form of a large ship consisting of two floors and sturdy wood typical of Kalimantan. It uses an engine and gasoline. The first floor is the cooking area or kitchen, bathroom, and a place to store food and water stocks that we will use during the trip. There is also a room where our tour guide rests.
The second floor is where we eat and sleep. We sleep with mosquito nets installed. Watching beautiful scenery decorated with the sky, moon, and stars is so romantic and absolutely made me happy and peaceful. I was there during the dry season, so it was very clear. After tidying up, we finally boarded the klotok down the Sekonyer River to see the famous orangutans.
The journey from the Kumai pier to the Sekonyer River is approximately 30 minutes. We continued to the first post, Tanjung Harapan Post. This place is a mini museum that contains several photos and the history of orangutans.
Along the way, we enjoyed the sounds of animals and the calm atmosphere of nature. We also crossed paths with several other klotoks carrying domestic and foreign tourists. Entering this post, the river has started to look black, and sometimes, this river is also called the Black River. It means adventure is beginning.
Day 1 - What Can We Do In Tanjung Puting?
Mini Museum
After about an hour, we arrived at the first post, Tanjung Harapan Post. We stopped at the dock and immediately trekked to see the feeding (time to feed the Orangutan) scheduled every day. Before heading to the feeding place, we stopped at a museum that tourists can enjoy, displaying several historical photos of orangutans. The museum is not very large.
Watching the Feeding of Orangutan
After the museum, we continued our journey to the feeding site. Along the way, we saw some Orangutans sleeping on the ground and some hanging from trees. The guide advised us to be more careful, take it slow, don't disturb them, and don't get too close. By the time we reached the feeding station, more Orangutans were hanging from the trees, and some were already down on the feeding platform.
The feeding station is a small stage, around it are stored bananas and milk for the orangutans to eat. All visitors are asked not to be noisy, take pictures carelessly, or get too close to the orangutans. If they feel disturbed, they can disturb the visitors. The tour guide's story is that the Orangutan displaced a visitor, and a tree took up his camera. After watching the feeding, we returned to the ship to rest.
Enjoying the Crocodile Attraction at Sekonyer River.
While passing through the river to Tanjung Puting, we could see several crocodiles popping up on the river's surface because the rustling sound of our klotok lured them out. After eating, we chatted briefly with the tour leader. He told us a lot about his experience bringing guests, including that there were still many crocodiles along the river.
So we were asked to be more careful, not to bathe in the river or throw carelessly into it because doing so would provoke the crocodile's appearance. Some tourists did not heed the guide's advice and were eventually pounced on by the crocodiles. That's scary.
Seeing the ramang-ramang (fireflies) at night
Arriving at the ship, nature was still brightly lit, after doing some, we were treated to dinner with some typical Kalimantan menus decorated with a beautiful sky full of moon and rows of stars. We could see the moon and stars from the boat we stayed on at night. In addition, ramang-ramang animals add to the beauty of the night atmosphere.
Thousands of ramang-ramang scattered at night. It felt like we were in the movie Avatar. Bedtime arrived, and we slept under mosquito nets decorated with the sky and fireflies that numbered hundreds, if not thousands. It was so beautiful. But I can't wait to see the Orangutan tomorrow.
Day 2 - What Can We Do In Tanjung Puting?
On the second day, before breakfast, we cleaned up. When I took a shower, I didn't realize that the water spray from the bathroom attracted several crocodiles to the area. I was shocked when some crocodiles appeared, and I couldn't understand why I wanted to finish my shower so quickly.
But it was exciting. When else would you bathe in the company of these big crocodiles hahaha? I thought our guide was joking last night, but there are still many crocodiles in Tanjung Puting Sekonyer stream.
After breakfast, we continued our journey to Pondok Tanggui post. The approximately two-hour journey is not dull because, along the way, we can enjoy the green nature of Kalimantan, see the beauty of the river, and see the sky reflecting.
Not to mention some noisy proboscis monkeys on the trees, and of course, the river waiter appeared many times, showing off his ferocity. Yes, although a little wary, the crocodile gradually got used to it.
Watching the natural scenery
You can enjoy watching the Black River surrounded by trees and greenery. It was beautiful and made us feel fresh, and we could absolutely reach for the fresh air.
Watching the feeding
Arriving at the second feeding place, again watching the Orangutan chatting with the food provided, we saw some super large Orangutans. Although they rarely came out. Some rangers (a term for rangers and people who look after orangutans) made calls to get the Orangutan to come out.
After this place, we continued to Camp Leakey, which is the most crowded with tourists. From this post, we also stopped by a tree-planting site called Pesalat Reforestation Project.
Planting trees at the Pesalat Reforestation Project
On the second day, we planted a tree at the Pesalat Reforestation Project. As a memento, we can put our name on the tree and donate for the tree we choose.
Seeing the Bekantan
In the afternoon, we can also watch the Bekantan-proboscis monkeys in the trees from the klotok, a type of monkey with a long tail and red nose. We can find many Bekantan in this forest. They have beautiful noses and colors.
Enjoying sunset and sunrise from the klotok
Tourists here can watch the sunset or sunrise from the top of the klotok with an all-green view. They have an incredible sunset and sunrise.
Trekking in the forest
When travelling to Tanjung Puting, tourists can also enjoy the Kalimantan forest, which is still very beautiful and green. The forest is still wet, so wear safe shoes to be waterproof.
Taking pictures with Orangutan
Visitors are allowed to take pictures with the orangutans but are not allowed to touch them.
Day 3 - What Can We Do In Tanjung Puting?
Visit some of the city's tourist destinations and buying souvenirs
On the third day, we were ready to return to Jakarta. In the morning, we prepare to go to Kumai Pier and Pangkalan Bun Airport, but before going to the airport, we can visit some tourist destinations and buy souvenirs. We bought some souvenirs from Kalimantan. Before returning to the airport, the car we rented took us to buy souvenirs typical of Kalimantan.
I visited Tanjung Puting National Park for a few days, and we can see them directly. It was an exciting experience that will never be forgotten and was very fun. I met new friends, walked around the forest and river for days, saw Orangutans, and walked along the Borneo River. It was beautiful. It was a nice long trip.
0 Comments