Wild Orangutans: Where to Encounter the ‘People of the Forest’

Deep within the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra lives one of the world’s most remarkable great apes.

With their distinctive red-orange hair, extraordinary intelligence and long, powerful arms, orangutans are instantly recognisable. Yet seeing one moving through the rainforest canopy is an altogether different experience.

Every year on 19 August, International Orangutan Day celebrates these incredible animals while drawing attention to the challenges facing them and the forests they call home.

For adventurous travellers, it’s also an opportunity to explore the remote corners of Southeast Asia where you can see orangutans in the wild, discovering extraordinary wildlife as part of a wider expedition through one of the world’s most biodiverse regions.

Meet the ‘people of the forest’

The name orangutan comes from the Malay and Indonesian words orang, meaning person, and hutan, meaning forest. ‘Person of the forest’ seems particularly appropriate when you watch an orangutan carefully navigating the branches or studying its surroundings.

There are three recognised species: the Bornean, Sumatran and Tapanuli orangutan. Wild populations are found only on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra, and all three species are critically endangered.

Orangutans are superbly adapted to life among the trees. Their exceptionally long arms, powerful hands and feet and flexible joints help them travel through the canopy, where they spend much of their lives feeding and resting.

They also play an important role in the rainforest itself. Their fruit-rich diet helps disperse seeds across large areas, supporting the regeneration of the forests on which countless other species depend.

Why International Orangutan Day matters

Orangutans face immense pressure from habitat loss and fragmentation, alongside threats from hunting and the illegal wildlife trade.

Their slow reproductive cycle makes protecting existing populations especially important. Females typically give birth to a single infant and young orangutans remain dependent on their mothers for several years, learning essential skills for surviving independently in the forest.

International Orangutan Day shines a light on the conservationists, researchers, rehabilitation centres and local communities working to secure their future, including projects such as Camp Leakey in Tanjung Puting National Park.

Responsible travel can play an important role too. Visiting protected areas and conservation projects helps travellers better understand the challenges orangutans face, while supporting the remarkable places and people working to protect them. It also offers an unforgettable opportunity to experience the extraordinary biodiversity of Borneo and Indonesia.

Three cruises that take you into orangutan country

Borneo’s great rivers, tropical coastlines and dense rainforests make this part of Southeast Asia particularly exciting to explore by small ship.

From Indonesian Borneo to Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia, these three Cruise Routes voyages venture into regions associated with orangutans, each offering a different perspective on the landscapes they inhabit.

Indonesia’s Forgotten Islands with Heritage Expeditions

For travellers dreaming of an orangutan encounter, Indonesia’s Forgotten Islands is an exceptional adventure.

This 14-day Heritage Expeditions voyage travels from Darwin through the Indonesian archipelago, combining some of the country’s most remote islands with an expedition into Tanjung Puting National Park in Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo.

Here, the itinerary visits Camp Leakey, the renowned orangutan research, rehabilitation and release site. Travellers have the opportunity to enter the rainforest with local experts and discover the conservation work taking place in this extraordinary environment.

The wider national park is a haven for wildlife, with proboscis monkeys, tarsiers, sun bears, hornbills and kingfishers among the species found here.

And that’s just one part of the adventure. The voyage also explores Komodo National Park, remote Indonesian communities, coral reefs and volcanic islands, creating a journey packed with wildlife and cultural encounters.

Explore Indonesia’s Forgotten Islands with Heritage Expeditions

Benoa to Manila with Silversea

A journey from Bali to the Philippines with Silversea offers another compelling route into orangutan country, this time in Malaysian Borneo.

The 13-day voyage includes two days in Sandakan, Sabah, a destination renowned for its extraordinary wildlife. The Cruise Routes itinerary highlights the orangutans that inhabit Sabah’s rainforests, alongside elusive sun bears and the unmistakable proboscis monkey.

Wildlife rehabilitation centres are another highlight of time in the region, offering the chance to learn about animals being cared for before they can potentially return to the wild.

Beyond Borneo, this voyage sweeps through a fascinating cross-section of Southeast Asia. Beginning amid the temples and landscapes of Bali, it visits Makassar before reaching Sabah and Brunei, then continues into the Philippines, where Bohol, beautiful Kalanggaman Island and Manila complete the adventure.

It’s a particularly enticing choice for travellers who want to combine orangutan country with Silversea’s style of luxury cruising.

Explore Benoa to Manila with Silversea

The Hidden Treasures of the Philippines and Borneo with PONANT

The Hidden Treasures of the Philippines and Borneo approaches Borneo from another direction, combining the islands of the Philippines with Brunei and Sarawak.

The 13-day PONANT voyage visits Kuching in Malaysian Borneo, a gateway to Sarawak’s lush rainforests and nature reserves. The region is home to Bornean orangutans and an extraordinary variety of tropical wildlife.

This isn’t solely a wildlife voyage, however. Its appeal lies in the variety of experiences along the way, from the dramatic limestone scenery and turquoise waters of Coron to Puerto Princesa, the remote Balabac Islands and the mangrove landscapes of Brunei.

For travellers who want to experience the wider natural and cultural richness of Borneo and the Philippines, it’s a fascinating introduction to this corner of Southeast Asia.

Explore The Hidden Treasures of the Philippines and Borneo with PONANT

Exploring Borneo’s wild side

Seeing an orangutan in the wild is never guaranteed. That’s precisely what makes an encounter so special.

Exploring Borneo also reveals that the story is about far more than a single species. These rainforests support an astonishing web of life, from proboscis monkeys and sun bears to hornbills and countless plants, insects and reptiles.

Travelling with experienced expedition teams and local guides can bring those ecosystems to life, helping you understand not only what you’re seeing, but why these habitats matter.

Whether you’re navigating the waterways of Tanjung Puting, discovering the wildlife of Sabah or venturing into the rainforests of Sarawak, an exploration cruise can take you far beyond Southeast Asia’s familiar shores.

And should you look up to see a flash of red-orange hair moving slowly through the canopy, it may just become the moment that defines the entire journey.

Why book with Cruise Routes?

At Cruise Routes, we believe cruising is designed for exploration.

The opportunity for real discovery is the golden thread connecting every journey we recommend. From extraordinary wildlife and spectacular landscapes to meaningful encounters with the places you visit, our carefully selected expedition cruises are chosen to help you experience destinations more deeply – not simply pass through them.

Whether you’re considering Indonesia as your first expedition cruise or planning a journey that continues across the Southeast Asia, our Cruise Consultants are here to help you find the right voyage for you.

Speak to a Cruise Consultant about your Indonesia cruise on 0203 924 8888 or enquire here.