There are a large number of options available to the intrepid traveler to Southeast Asia. For many, watching free-ranging wild and provisioned orangutans in the forests of Sumatra and Borneo is a bucket-list adventure, like going to Rwanda and seeing Mountain gorillas. There are riverboats and guides in Medan, Bukit Lawang, Pangkalan Bun and Kumai who can help you arrange a visit to the national parks where orangutans live and might be seen.
We have worked with two orangutan ecotour providers that we can recommend should you decide to make the journey: Orangutan Odysseys and Orangutan Caring Ecotours.
Started in 2011, Orangutan Odysseys (OO) has a "vision that responsible ecotourism to Sumatra and Borneo raises awareness about the loss of habitat and other factors endangering orangutans. The entire ecosystem needs to be protected; through our tours we will continue to raise much needed funds to support local conservation efforts, and provide hope for the environment and the local communities. Our mission is to protect the orangutan habitat through environmental sustainability and responsible tourism. Our passion lies in the primary forests of the world, which are a vital part of the global ecosystem." Orang Utan Republik Foundation has been a proud partner with Orangutan Odysseys for over a decade.
About the Orangutan Caring Ecotours.
Established in 2023, the Orangutan Caring Ecotours (OCE) provides a unique opportunity to experience the wonders of nature while contributing to the conservation of orangutans and their habitat. By partnering with the Orang Utan Republik Foundation (OURF), OCE dedicates its tour programs to support the Orangutan Caring Scholarship (OCS) program, which empowers Indonesian students pursuing degrees in fields related to orangutan conservation. Embark on an unforgettable weekend journey to Gunung Leuser National Park in North Sumatra or through Tanjung Puting National Park, located in Central Kalimantan, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the rainforest.