good for you

Located on the border of the Tanjung Puting National Park, people come to Rimba Orangutan Eco Lodge for one main reason - to see in the wild the magnificent primates that make the park their home.

In the park you can see as many as nine primate species, including the endangered orangutans, as well as crocodiles, butterflies and rare birds. Many endangered species, even clouded leopards, are hidden in the jungle - which you can explore on foot and by boat. The shy orangutans can be spotted at their feedings stations in the forest. Night safaris are also on offer - you might spot tarsiers, glowing mushrooms, fireflies and sometimes owls.

The hotel itself is a forest lodge built on stilts and constructed from ironwood. The accommodations are simple, clean and comfortable, with the spacious lodge's traditional Borneo architecture, along with the lush jungle surrounds, affording a sense of harmony with nature.

good for borneo

This eco-lodge is owned by the same outfit that runs two other Indonesian eco-lodges - Bali's Udayana Ecolodge and the Bajo Komodo Eco Lodge in Flores. The organization, which plans to open more properties, is leading the way for eco-tourism in Indonesia, with their hotels focusing on local employment, environmental sustainability and the conservation of Indonesia's varied and beautiful natural environment.

Rooms

Food

The restaurant menu combines local dishes with some western dishes and servings are plentiful and wholesome. A three-course meal of the day is featured for US$12 per person, and there is also a full a la carte menu with plenty of vegetarian dishes.

Features & Facilities

While rooms are without phone or internet, the lodge does have an internet connection that you can use.

You can cool yourself in the lock-enclosed traditional swimming pool with the small current of the Sekonyer River flowing below you or paddle a canoe (provided to the guests of each room) along the banks of the scenic Sekonyer River.

All transport can be organised through the lodge for a reasonable fee.

Packed picnic lunches can be made on request.

A range of tours, day and night safaris, boat trips, wildlife tours etc (not included in the rates) can be arranged by the lodge. Special Guide fees are Rp.300,000 per day.

Local Info & Activities

The lodge can organize day and night safaris, boat trips and walking trips in the Tanjung National Park.

tanjung puting national park

See as many as 9 primate species, crocodiles, butterflies and rare birds such as Storms stork. Many endangered species, even clouded leopards, are hidden in the jungle or "Rimba", through which you chug in a 'kelotok' boat._You then land and walk 20 minutes into the forest to see the orangutans at the feeding stations upriver. You might also take a night safari to see tarsiers, glowing mushrooms fireflies and perhaps owls.

To enter Tanjung Puting National Park you need a photocopy of the photo page and visa page of your passport, the lodge can arrange the rest of your visit. The Park charges a Police, Park and Ranger fees per person of Rp.125,000 per day.

Tanjung Puting National Park is the largest and most diverse protected example of the extensive coastal forest which used to cover much of southern Borneo. The area was originally declared as a game reserve in 1935 and a National Park in 1982. The park is widely recognised as an important genetic resource of great value for scientific research.

The best known animals in Tanjung Puting National Park are the orangutans@, although proboscis monkeys as well as seven other primate species are also present in the park. Clouded leopards, civets, and Malaysian sun bears are also found, as are mouse deer, barking deer, and sambar deer.

Sustainability

The hotel is owned by Ecolodges Indonesia, which is supported by eco-investors through the Inira Def Foundation.

Sustainability practices at the lodge include local employment (all staff except the manager are locals); use of rainwater for drinking; use of local tour and boat operators; a local purchasing policy that helps support the local economy and reduce the carbon emissions generated by transport; energy-efficient light bulbs used throughout the lodge (heavy jungle cover makes solar energy impossible); rubbish disposal in six categories and composting.

The lodge draws tourists from all over the world. The funds and experience these persons bring to the Park is a key element of the continued conservation of the area and the protection of the orangutan and other Park species.

In Borneo, illegal fires, agricultural practices and gold mining seriously interfere with the habitat of the Orangutan. The Lodge attempts to aid with the education of local people about protecting the orangutans and other wildlife, and by building a successful eco-business, to demonstrate to local people that the natural environment merits protection not only for its own sake, but because it represents a sustainable income stream for the area through responsible tourism.

The lodge is currently working with Park authorities to choose a site for a tented eco-camp within the forest - a conservation measure that would create a 24-hour presence in the park and disrupt the illegal activities of loggers and palm oil collectors.

The lodge works closely with the Orangutan Foundation International and supports it by donating part of the lodge income.

Revenues from all three eco lodges in this group are ploughed into setting up new ecolodges in other parts of Indonesia. At the moment work is beginning in South Sumatra to develop an Elephant Eco Lodge on the edge of Kambas National Park.

Getting There

By air from Bali or Jakarta via Surabaya or Semarang to Pangkalam Bun via Sampit (approx: 3hrs).

Then, by car (the lodge will meet you) - 20 minutes to Kumai Port.

Then, by boat - a delightful river trip (approx: 2 hrs) to the Rimba Orangutan Ecolodge

costs are as follows:

• Airport pick-up and Lodge boat (4 persons) - Rp.500,000
• River boat (Klotok) for 4 - 6 persons - Rp.400,000 (if more than 2 day charter)
• Lunch on boat Rp.90,000/person

Visit our Transport section for flights, hybrid car rentals and train bookings.

Rates & Bookings

Emerald Rooms: Rp 900,000 / US$100

Extra Bed: Rp 100,000 / US$11

Sapphire Rooms: Rp 700,000 / US$78

Ruby Rooms: Rp 450,000 / US$50

• Rates are per room for either single or double occupancy.
• Police, Park and Ranger fees are Rp.125,000/day per/person
• All rates include Breakfast.

booking & cancellation policy

• A 20% deposit is required in order to secure a booking.
• The remaining 80% is payable on departure from hotel.
• Cancellations made at any time will incur the loss of 10% of the total cost of stay.
• Cancellations made near the arrival date will incur further penalties, full details will be provided before booking confirmation.

Want to avoid cancellation fees? Visit our Insurance section for information on travel insurance.