That opportunity finally came when my friend offered me a trip to go to Tanjung Puting National Park visiting the orang utans at their original habitat. The journey of three days two nights up streamed the Sekonyer River with klotok (wooden boat) has been an unforgettable moment to me and my other six friends. Below is some information about Tanjung Puting National Park based on my experience.
Tanjung Puting National Park located at south west of Central Kalimantan peninsula and it has around 415.040 ha (Source: Wikipedia). It is the home and native habitants of vaious kinds of living creatures such as orang utans, proboscis monkeys, gibbons, mermaids, sun beras, crocodiles and the birds. Also the home of various plants such as pitcher plants, peat and forest tree production, ferns and palms and many more.
How to go to the National Park
Kumai Port is the port where the klotoks (wooden boat) stand by to go to National Park. The nearest airport is Iskandar Airport located at Pangkalan Bun City. Direct flight that serves between Jakarta – Pangkalan Bun is Trigana Air, Kalstar Air, Aviastar with range of price Rp 600.000 – Rp 700.000 one way for an hour duration.
Then continue by public transportation of motor taxi for another 30 mintes from Pangkalan Bun to Kumai or if you buy a tour usually they will pick you at the airport.
Accomodation at the National Park
Klotok (Wooden Boat) Klotok is the sort of accommodation that we used for the 3 days 2 nights journey there.All the activities are all carried on the klotok. Sleeping, eating, showering, cooking etc. What we called Klotok is a wooden boat with two decks, upper deck and lower deck. The uuper deck is used as the place for sleeping at night and eating, sitting, putting our carrier and doing other activities during daylight. The front upper deck are placed two wooden long seat where you can sit and seeing the view all the across the river. While the upper stern can be used as the place for sightseeing as well. The lower deck used for the place for kitchen, toilet, boat steer and the place for our boat crew where they sleep at night. We were accompanied by 4 crews (the captain, guide, chef assistant).
To book the tour you can do it through travel agent. They will arrange all of your needs during your stay at National Park. From renting the klotok, food, guide, entrance tickets to the National Park, pick up from the airport to the port etc. The package price can be different one to another based on how long you want to spend to be in the National Park and how many people will be on the boat. The more people on the boat the cheaper it will be.
Tips to visit Tanjung Puting National Park
1. Kalimantan forest is the endemic for malaria disease. Please make sure that you have consult to your doctor and drink preventive medicine properly.
2. A camera is a must. You will find a lot of amazing things along the way. Don’t forget to bring your extra battery. There will be generator on the klotok but it’s very limited and won’t be enough to accommodate all the electronic stuff on the boat.
3. Use you mosquito repellent to avoid insects bite as well as leech. It’s better for you to use long sleeves and trousers as well as shoes if you will go for trekking. When raining season the trekking path will be muddy and lots of leech everywhere.
4. Bring Jacket and rain coat in case of raining. Cap and sun screen lotion to prevent sun burning.
5. When you are about to enter the camp, make sure you don’t bring anything but camera. If they see you bring backpack or a bag they will try to grab them and to check where there is food inside. Only God and the orang utans know when it will be returned back to you :D.
6. Bring flash light, you will need it on the klotok at night,
7. Do not litter
8. Bring your own medicine
9. There is nothing to do at night, no electricity, no proper lights. Just bring something that won’t make you feel boring. Like playing cards etc etc.
10. There is enough food on the klotok. Just in case you feel bored with the food bring snacks. Just don’t show it in front of the orang utans.
11. Less raining is the best season when you can visit the national park. Less mosquito and the trekking path is dry. Which is during April – October every year.
12. Follow all the instructions from the guide. They are the one who knows every details and conditions inside the park.
If you need more information about Tanjung Puting National Park more futher, feel free to contact me by posting your message.
