ABOUT
WOW Borneo specialises in intimate river expeditions through Central Kalimantan’s most remarkable destinations.
WOW Borneo is a pioneering ecotourism river-cruise operator in Indonesian Borneo, offering intimate journeys into the rainforests and waterways of Central Kalimantan. Travelling aboard traditional-style riverboats, guests encounter orangutans and other wildlife while also discovering Dayak culture and remote riverside communities. Conservation and community benefit are central to the experience, with WOW Borneo working alongside national park authorities and local organisations, supporting orangutan conservation and ensuring tourism revenue reaches communities along its routes.
Key Highlights
- Traditional riverboat journeys through the rainforests and waterways of Central Kalimantan
- Exceptional opportunities to see wild and rehabilitated orangutans, alongside proboscis monkeys and other Bornean wildlife
- Access to Tanjung Puting National Park, one of Borneo’s most important orangutan conservation areas
- Small-scale, low-impact tourism with a strong focus on conservation and responsible wildlife encounters
- Meaningful connections with local Dayak and riverside communities, helping tourism income remain within the region
Seasonality
WOW Borneo operates year-round, but the optimum time to visit is during the dry season from May to October. These months generally offer more favourable conditions for river cruising, rainforest exploration and wildlife viewing. The wetter season, from November to April, brings heavier rainfall and higher river levels, although orangutans and other wildlife can still be seen throughout the year.
Experience Types
DETAILS
ACCESS & LOGISTICS
Trips typically begin in Pangkalan Bun, Central Kalimantan, reached by domestic flight from Indonesian hubs such as Jakarta or Surabaya. Guests are met at the airport and transferred by road to Kumai, the gateway to Tanjung Puting National Park, where they board their klotok riverboat. From here, the journey continues by river into the rainforest, with the boat serving as both transport and accommodation. Flight schedules can change, so some flexibility with connections is advisable.
CONSERVATION CREDENTIALS
CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIPS
WOW Borneo works closely with the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF), supporting its orangutan conservation work through donations made on behalf of every guest. The company also works with National Park authorities, following responsible wildlife-viewing guidelines and supporting protected areas through visitor permits and nature-based tourism. Its wider approach connects orangutan conservation with the protection of Borneo’s forests, rivers and local communities.
SUPPORT PROVIDED
WOW Borneo makes a donation to the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) on behalf of every guest, meaning each booking generates direct financial support for orangutan conservation.
GUEST CONTRIBUTIONS
Guests contribute through national park entrance and permit fees, helping support the protected areas visited. During their journeys, guides raise awareness of orangutan conservation, habitat loss and the importance of protecting Borneo’s rainforest ecosystems.
CONSERVATION VISITS
Guests learn about orangutan conservation throughout their journey, particularly during visits to Tanjung Puting National Park and its orangutan feeding and research sites, including Camp Leakey. Local guides provide context on orangutan behaviour, rehabilitation, habitat protection and the threats facing Borneo’s forests. However, these experiences should be described as visits to conservation sites rather than a guaranteed opportunity to meet WOW Borneo’s specific conservation partners.
LOCAL EMPLOYMENT
WOW Borneo employs local Indonesian staff, including boat crews, captains, cooks and guides, and describes local employment and skills development as an important part of its responsible-tourism approach. Using locally based teams also helps ensure that income from tourism remains within the communities and regions through which the cruises operate.
COMMUNITY PROJECTS SUPPORTED
WOW Borneo works with local Dayak and riverside communities along its cruise routes, supporting community-based tourism and local livelihoods. This includes employing local guides and boat crews, using local suppliers and incorporating village visits and locally led experiences into itineraries. The company’s approach aims to ensure that tourism creates economic opportunities for communities living alongside Borneo’s forests and waterways while encouraging the long-term value of protecting the surrounding environment.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Some WOW Borneo itineraries include visits to Dayak and riverside villages, where guests can meet local residents and learn about traditional livelihoods, culture and the relationship between communities and the surrounding forest and rivers. Depending on the itinerary, experiences may include village walks, local crafts and cultural activities.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
WATER MANAGEMENT
Drinking water is provided onboard, with WOW Borneo encouraging guests to refill reusable bottles rather than rely on single-use plastic bottles. Fresh water is carried/stored aboard for guest use, and the small scale of the klotoks naturally places an emphasis on careful water consumption while cruising in sensitive river environments.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WOW Borneo aims to minimise waste aboard its riverboats, particularly single-use plastics. Guests are encouraged to use refillable drinking bottles, helping reduce plastic waste in sensitive river and rainforest environments. Waste generated onboard is managed by the crew and returned to appropriate disposal points rather than being left in the national park or river environment.
FOOD SOURCING
Meals are freshly prepared onboard by the boat crew, with an emphasis on Indonesian dishes and locally available ingredients. WOW Borneo uses local markets and suppliers where possible, helping tourism spending benefit communities in Central Kalimantan while giving guests an authentic taste of the region. Dietary requirements can generally be accommodated with advance notice.
ADDITIONAL INITIATIVES
WOW Borneo operates small-scale river journeys designed to minimise disturbance in sensitive rainforest habitats. The company follows responsible orangutan-viewing practices, uses traditional klotok boats suited to navigating the waterways at low speeds, and encourages guests to travel responsibly within protected areas. Its move towards solar-powered boats also helps reduce fuel consumption, emissions and generator noise, particularly valuable when travelling through wildlife habitat.
CONSERVATION INSIGHT
NATURE & CONSERVATION IN THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE
Nature is at the heart of every WOW Borneo journey. Guests travel slowly through rainforest waterways with local guides, observing orangutans, proboscis monkeys, birdlife and other wildlife and learning about the ecosystems they depend upon. Visits to orangutan conservation sites provide insight into rehabilitation and habitat protection, while time spent on the river gives guests a first-hand understanding of the pressures facing Borneo’s forests and why their protection matters.
