Orangutans are among the most captivating apes in the natural world, and I’ve always wanted to capture their beauty through photography. Tanjung Puting National Park, located on Borneo Island in Indonesia, stands out as one of the premier locations to observe and photograph these incredible creatures. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting this park twice. My first visit was during a backpacking trip around Borneo in 2009, which offered incredible experiences and close encounters with the remarkable apes. Recently, I had the chance to lead a photography tour in Indonesia, during which we returned to Borneo. Continue reading for my insights on Tanjung Puting Orangutan Photography and to see my favorite photos from this latest adventure.
Tanjung Puting National Park
Nestled in the wild heart of Central Kalimantan, Borneo, Tanjung Puting National Park is a paradise for wildlife photographers. Renowned for its population of endangered Bornean orangutans, the park provides close encounters with these great apes, particularly near Camp Leakey. Yet, orangutans are just the start—look forward to spotting playful gibbons, proboscis monkeys with their amusing noses, and two species of crocodiles, including the elusive false gharial, gliding through the rivers. The avian life is also remarkable, featuring multiple varieties of hornbills, such as the impressive rhinoceros hornbill, oriental-pied hornbill, and black hornbill. Be alert for wild boars, and if you are fortunate, clouded leopards, along with exquisite pitcher plants like Nepenthes gracilis or Nepenthes ampularia dotting the forest floor. Whether navigating in a klotok boat or hiking the jungle paths, this destination is a treasure for anyone passionate about photography and nature.
Wildlife Encounters at Tanjung Puting National Park
Tanjung Puting offers much more than just its famous orangutans! I was eager to photograph various bird species, with hornbills topping my list. We were fortunate to capture images of three types: the rhinoceros hornbill, oriental-pied hornbill, and black hornbill. During our visit, it was fruiting season, and the hornbills were actively feeding on trees along the Sekonyer River. This made it easy to spot them and obtain decent photos of these elusive birds. In addition to hornbills, we observed and photographed several other species, including the green imperial pigeon, pink-necked pigeon, greater coucal, crested serpent eagle, stork-billed kingfisher, black-eared barbet, red-crowned barbet, gray and buff kingfishers, long-tailed parakeet, black and red broadbill, Malaysian pied fantail, Sunda crow, striated heron, white-nest swiftlet, white-throated kingfisher, black-winged flycatcher-shrike, olive-winged bulbul, Javan myna, and many more. Our night walk was equally rewarding, allowing us to spot the rufous-backed dwarf kingfisher, garnet pitta, rufous-tailed tailorbird, and little spiderhunter.
The sightings of non-feathered creatures were also plentiful. Proboscis monkeys, with their amusing noses and large bellies, are among my favorites. We also encountered silver langurs, long-tailed macaques, and a single agile gibbon. One of the most remarkable creatures we saw was a massive false gharial that lay hidden in the Sekonyer River as we traveled toward Camp Leakey. The plant life in the region is equally impressive, often overlooked due to the extraordinary wildlife. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the fruiting and blossoming season of the rainforest, which was lush and abundant – a true visual delight for both animals and humans. I have always had a fondness for pitcher plants and was excited to discover two species during this trip: Nepenthes mirabilis and Nepenthes gracilis. I hope to see Nepenthes ampullaria on my next visit!
Orangutans of Borneo
Tanjung Puting National Park in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, is famous for its population of Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus). Estimates indicate the park hosts about 6,000 orangutans, among the largest wild populations worldwide. This concentration is due to diverse habitats, including peat swamp forests and lowland tropical rainforests, providing ideal conditions for orangutans.
Camp Leakey is the center of orangutan conservation in Tanjung Puting, founded in 1971 by Dr. Biruté Galdikas, a notable “Trimate” mentored by Louis Leakey. Initially a research station, it became crucial for rehabilitating ex-captive orangutans through gradual reintroduction and close observation. Although true rehabilitation has slowed due to shifting conservation strategies, many semi-wild orangutans still visit Camp Leakey’s feeding platforms, providing photographers with rare close-up encounters. The site continues to be a living lab where orangutans and researchers establish a unique, trust-based bond.
We explored three different feeding stations, with Camp Leakey standing out as the best. Along the river, we also spotted some wild orangutans, which were trickier to photograph, but witnessing them in their natural habitat was unforgettable. While I haven’t kept a strict count, I estimate we saw and captured images of over twenty individuals, including three alpha males (Jacob, Roger, and Atlas), at least five mothers with their babies, and several other juvenile and adult orangutans.
Tanjung Puting Orangutan photography is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Tanjung Puting Orangutan Photos
Tanjung Puting Orangutan Photography Tips
To get the most out of your Tanjung Puting orangutan photography, it is important to prepare properly. First, let’s talk about the camera gear. Any interchangeable lens camera with decent autofocus will do. Bring enough batteries, especially if you stay on the Klotok boat and not at the hotel with charging facilities. The lens I found most useful was 100-400mm. This provided enough reach and zooming versatility for orangutan photography. At times, I wished for a longer lens, especially for bird photography (for birds, a 600mm lens would be better!). But even if you only have a shorter lens, such as 70-200mm, it is possible to get stunning photos of orangutans. I found a polarizing filter to be very helpful. Without it, there was too much glare and harsh highlights in the foliage of the rainforest. With the filter, I was able to bring the colors out of the greenery and orangutan fur much better. A wider lens is great for environmental shots, especially from the boat while traveling the Sekonyer and Leakey rivers. For macro enthusiasts, a macro lens is also a great idea, especially during a night walk.
And secondly, here are some photography tips that might come in handy.
- Always watch the background and move around to find more pleasing backgrounds for your shots. Often, the background may have blown-out highlights – that’s okay, as long as your main subject is well exposed.
- Orangutans look great in backlight! Their orange fur provides a wonderful rim light, separating them from the background.
- Observe the orangutans and start recognising their facial expressions and emotions. They are very telling and make the photos much more powerful. They are almost human!
- At feeding stations there is clear hierarchy. First, the dominant male will feed. Then a few females will come with their babies – I assume the babies belong to him. And while he is feeding, the other orangutans will hang around on trees, being easy subjects for photography. I prefer photographing them when they are not feeding or when they don’t have mouthful of bananas or sugarcane.
- Do not only shoot close shots. Try to portray them in their environment. The trees are great compositional elements and you can take advantage of this. Use them as leading lines, as a frame, to balance the composition…
- Feeding hours are usually during the time of harsh light. Stay for as long as you can so the sun gets lower and the light softer and warmer.
- Don’t just sit on the bench; move around. Even a couple of steps can provide you with a much better angle, background, and composition!
- While aboard the klotok boat, always have your camera ready! You never know when you might spot monkeys, apes, or a fascinating bird! My favorite place on the boat was the roof – I brought a chair up there and enjoyed the ride with my camera resting in my lap.
- Have fun and accept what happens. Sometimes there will be only a few orangutans there or it might be cloudy and very dark. Sit back and observe the orangutans – it is a real life documentary!
Travel tips for Tanjung Puting National Park
Borneo is one of the least visited islands in Indonesia. There isn’t much tourist infrastructure, which is evident in Tanjung Puting National Park as well. That said, it is still possible to visit the park relatively easily. The closest airport is in Pangkalan Bun. From there, you must travel to Kumai and catch a klotok boat to Tanjung Puting.
Accommodation within the park is very limited. Essentially, there is one hotel, the Rimba Lodge, where our group stayed. The more popular alternative is to stay overnight on a klotok boat. This is how I traveled there my first time, and I prefer the klotok experience much more than the hotel! Although it is much more basic, spending the night on the river and listening to all the jungle sounds makes it unforgettable!
I would spend a minimum of two nights in the park. This allows for a relaxed pace and more opportunities for wildlife sightings. Three nights would be my personal choice. Even just lounging on the klotok boat is a wonderful experience. I enjoyed sitting on top of the boat with my camera, observing the scenery and wildlife, and taking photos every now and then!
In Tanjung Puting, the dry season lasts from June to September, with July and August being the peak tourist season. For fewer crowds, consider visiting in May or late September. Or even during the rainy season, if you don’t mind more rainfall.
Conclusion
Orangutans can be seen and photographed in various locations across Borneo (both the Indonesian and Malaysian sides) and in certain areas on Sumatra Island. Tanjung Puting is arguably the best place to observe them and have an authentic experience without excessive tourist traffic. Still, try to avoid the peak summer season for a more relaxed experience.
My Tanjung Puting Orangutan Photography trip was a wonderful experience, largely due to the fantastic organization by Natural Exposures and our amazing local guide, Hakim! I am looking forward to next year when I return to this beautiful place.
