The Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation invites explorers into the heart of Kalimantan, to stay in the depths of the Indonesian rainforest, and make a direct contribution to the protection of the gentle orangutan, the ‘people of the forest.’
In the depths of East Kalimantan, Samboja Lodge sits at the centre of 1,800 hectares of Bornean forest. Completely ensconced by jungle, this unique destination offers the ultimate immersion into nature. But this is no mere holiday retreat, The Lodge is found on the grounds of the Samboja Lestari Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, run by the Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation. It is a sanctuary for displaced and orphaned orangutans, a centre for their care and rehabilitation.
As such, a visit to Samboja Lodge is more than just a holiday in the jungle, it affords guests the rare opportunity to support important conservation work and witness firsthand what it takes to save one of Indonesia’s most essential and treasured species.
The Root of the Problem
An old Dayak creation myth says that the orangutan was God’s first try at breathing life into humans; only on His second attempt were humans successfully brought into being. This tribal folklore speaks of the similarities between our two species, ancient observations that would be confirmed through science centuries later: 97% of human DNA is identical to that of these gentle giant apes.
The name ‘orangutan’ could not be more accurate. Quite literally the people (orang) of the forest (hutan), and much like people they play an important role in their environment. Foraging for food high in the canopies and traveling a considerable expanse of the forest, they are the world’s largest seed dispersers. They have earned the name ‘gardeners of the rainforest’, their actions ensuring the continued biodiversity of the ecosystem, both its flora and fauna. Orangutans are thus vital to two of the largest carbon sinks in the world, both on Sumatra and Borneo, the only places islands where these great apes are found.
Meanwhile, their human cousins are sadly doing quite the opposite. Over the many decades, Kalimantan has experienced vast land-use change, with logging, mining and plantations replacing the dense and biodiverse primary forests. As trees are felled, so too does the orangutan population.
Based on the results of a 2016 ‘Population Habitat Viability Analysis’ (ksdae.menlhk.go.id), the Bornean orangutan population is estimated at 57,350 individuals in a habitat cover of 160,136km2 (i.e. 0,36 individuals per km2).Compared to 2004’s study, which estimated 54,817 individuals in a habitat of 81,950km2 (i.e. 0,67 individuals per km2), this denotes a clear decrease in orangutan population density in Kalimantan. “Seeing the population condition of the two types of orangutans [Bornean and Sumatran] shows that the threat to the sustainability of orangutans and their habitats is increasing due to the conversion of forests to other functions,” states the Government-run study.
Planting Seeds of Hope: Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation
Upon entering the remote and densely forested area that surrounds Samboja Lodge, it’s difficult to believe that it was once a desolate and barren land. The Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, together with local communities, managed to create a thriving ‘secondary forest’ over the many decades, once again creating a vibrant habitat where birds and other wildlife could live.
Samboja Lestari is but one of BOS Foundation’s eight areas of operation, spread across different regions of East and Central Kalimantan. In total, the foundation has an enormous 465,000 hectares of rainforest under their care. Each site serves different functions, including release and pre-release sites, rehabilitation centres, forest schools, longterm sanctuaries and healthcare facilities. All of this is centred on a single mission: to conserve the Bornean orangutan and its habitat.
Whilst the orangutans are important to the rainforests, the rainforests are intimately more important to orangutan survival. So, securing protected forest areas is paramount to the BOS Foundation’s ultimate goal which is to release orangutans back into the wild.
Releasing orangutans is a challenging and time-consuming initiative, but since their founding in 1991 the foundation has released 533 back into their natural habitat, resulting in 34 wild-born babies. This is no small feat. An orangutan being released back into the wild must know how to survive: they must be able to identify food, make a canopy nest and be aware of predators and dangers. At BOS rehabilitation centres, like that found at Samboja, orangutans must first graduate from ‘Nursery’, and ‘Forest School’, where they are taught to mimic the actions of their dedicated carers, eventually building up enough experience to survive on their own.
An orangutan baby born in the wild normally spends the first eight years of its life with its mother, who will teach their young the ins and outs of life in the treetops. As the foundation receives many orphaned young orangutans, rescued from the wildlife trade, carers thus take on this role of survival mentor. It can take up to a decade for an orangutan to be ready for release.
Working together with the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry, as well as the Directorate General of Nature Resources and Ecosystem Conservation, an impressive force of 400 people are part of the BOS Foundation’s efforts in securing a future for the Bornean orangutan. But support from around the world is what makes their work possible, and perhaps the most rewarding way to contribute is by seeing what they do firsthand.
Enter the Forest: Samboja Lestari
Staying at Samboja Lodge directly funds the amazing work of the BOS Foundation, and for guests it is an experience that brings hospitality, adventure and conservation together.
The Lodge features 22 rooms, including spacious King and Queen Suites, all of which have been designed to showcase the pristine forest environment that surrounds them. Ultimate immersion. These are homey, cosy accommodations, complete with modern amenities, ensuite bathrooms and balconies that look out over the pristine Kalimantan landscape. There is an onsite restaurant open throughout the day, and a library offering a space for some peace and quiet. The Lodge is indeed a refuge in the jungle.
Of course, it is the one-of-a-kind experiences available at Samboja that makes this place a truly enticing destination. Whilst the rehabilitation centre itself is off-limits to lodge guests, Samboja offers tours around the ‘Orangutan Islands’. These islands are semi-wild environments created by BOSF as longterm sanctuaries for unreleasable orangutans, who are able to live freely but with some assistance from humans due to physical disabilities or inability to learn the required survival skills. Guests are taken on a tour around the islands to see these 15, friendly resident apes as they go about their day, often approaching the banks in curiosity. Another on-site rehabilitation centre is the Sun Bear Sanctuary, home to the smallest bears in the world.
But that’s not all, Samboja Lestari invites guests to explore the region and go on an adventure into the depths of the Kalimantan forests. Take a trip down Sungai Hitam, or Black River, on a local fisherman’s boat, floating down the narrow channel of the tidal river, jungle overflowing its banks. Here, explorers have a chance of spotting the endangered Proboscis monkey, and other wildlife. Trek through through the protected forest area of Sungai Wain, BOS Foundation’s first release site where 82 orangutan were released back in the 90s, now living wild and free; or gain a different perspective from Bukit Bengkirai, where the canopy high walk among the treetops affords the chance to spot gibbons, maroon langurs and stunning hornbills.
As mentioned, Samboja Lodge directly funds the amazing work done by the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation. By staying at the Lodge you are not only supporting conservation, but taking a trip of a lifetime to explore the depths of Indonesia’s most impressive rainforest region.
Practical Information
Samboja Lodge is found approximately 1-hour by car from Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. Airport pickups can be arranged if booked in advance.
The lodge is open year-round, and wildlife can be seen throughout the year, however April to October are usually the drier and preferred time for visiting.
Children are welcome, but facilities for them are limited. Due to the remote location it is not recommended for young children.
For more information:
+62 811 5440 505
sambojalodge@orangutan.or.id
sambojalodge.com | orangutan.or.id
