Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Pasalat camp)
A reforestation camp where native saplings are being reintroduced after
fire damage. Popular for birding. The 800m forest boardwalk will be excellent once re-
pairs are made; otherwise be careful.
Pondok Tanggui
(Pondok Tangui; feeding 9am daily)
Feeding station.
WILDLIFE
Camp Leakey
(Camp Leakey; feeding 2pm daily)
Feeding station. Good for birds.
You won't necessarily see everything in this order, as you may choose to see some of
these on the return trip.
The ideal journey is three days and two nights, giving you ample time to see
everything. If you only have one day, you should take a speedboat from Kumai. A
klotok
can reach Camp Leakey in 4½ hours, making a return trip possible in one day if you leave
at 6am, but this is not recommended.
During the dry season, there is an overnight trek from Pondok Tanggui to Pasalat
(1,500,000Rp all inclusive). This is a unique chance to see nocturnal wildlife and can be
combined with a boat trip. Your guide can arrange this, or enquire at Flora Homestay (
Click here
)
in Sekonyer Village.
WILDLIFE
ORANGUTANS
Adult male orangutans are said to be eight times stronger than a human. Semi-solitary in nature, they undergo vi-
cious battles to ascend to alpha status, often losing teeth and fingers in the process. Tom, the present alpha at
Camp Leakey, deposed his predecessor after a long reign, exiling him to the jungle. A male's cheek pads grow
with his accession to dominance and wither after he is demoted. Mothers rear their young for seven years - the
longest nursery time in the animal kingdom. During this intimate period they teach them everything they need to
know to thrive in the jungle, from how to climb through the canopy by brachiation (travelling from branch to
branch) to the medicinal qualities of plants, which nuts are poisonous, which critters they should avoid and how to
mentally map the forest. Rehabilitation of orphans involves as close an approximation to this as possible.
Tours
You have the choice of hiring a
klotok
(and guide) yourself, or having a tour operator do it
for you. The former is cheaper, the latter easier.
