Cruising to Orangutan Research Center Camp Leakey

Located in the deep jungle of Central Kalimantan, Camp Leakey is only reachable by ‘klotok’. (Burufly Photo).

Situated deep in the jungles of Central Kalimantan, Camp Leakey is a haven for orangutan lovers. This orangutan research facility is open to visitors during the day, but is only reachable by either a speedboat or a traditional water boat called a ‘klotok’.

The live-in experience is the best way to take in all of the surroundings as the journey is as good as the destination. The klotok is a two-story boat with a sleeping area, a dining area, a kitchen and a bathroom. The klotok is manned by a captain, a guide and a cook who provides meals three times a day.

The trip to Camp Leakey takes approximately 3.5 hours from Kumai port, and the first two hours are spent cruising past the Nipah (pandanus) trees lining the Sekonyer River.

Towards Tanjung Puting where the orangutan reserves are located, the river suddenly turns reddish dark brown. Tannin from the roots of the trees along the river causes this change in color. As you leisurely cruise along the river, you will see swampy mangroves and tall ironwood, sandalwood or meranti trees.

Once you set foot on the premises of Camp Leakey, you will be advised not to touch the orangutans. (Burufly Photo).

You will get glimpses of long-nosed gibbons or bekantans, proboscis monkeys, macaques and squirrels leaping from tree to tree. If you’re lucky, you will get occasional glimpses of crocodiles floating quietly on the water. You have arrived at your destination when you hear the distinct sounds of orangutans.

Once you set foot on the premises of Camp Leakey, you will be advised not to touch the orangutans. But the same rule does not apply to the orangutans, as they sometimes make the effort to greet you with a pat.

Gentle, intelligent and affectionate, the orangutans are known to live peacefully amongst themselves, coming out from time to time to gather at feeding stations where rangers will bring them over-ripe bananas and condensed milk mixed with water.

Camp Leakey has strict rules about littering, and this seems to have helped keep the orangutans healthy over the years.

Burufly