Best time to see orangutans in Borneo
Orangutans are there every month of the year. What changes is the rain on the deck, the number of boats on the river and the risk of smoke.
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Season Dial
Turn the dial to any month. Scores are indicative, built from climate normals and visitor patterns, and each one says how confident it is.
Wet season: November to April
Rain usually comes in heavy afternoon or night storms rather than all day. The river is higher, which makes the upper Sekonyer easy to navigate, and the forest is at its greenest. The deck has an awning and roll-down sides on most boats; ask about them.
Dry season: June to September
Drier days and calmer evenings on deck, but also the most visitors, especially in July and August when European holidays peak. In dry El Niño years, fires on degraded peatland can bring smoke haze, which is unpleasant and can affect flights. Check haze forecasts in the weeks before you travel.
The fruit question
When the forest is full of fruit, orangutans have less reason to come to the feeding platforms. Fruiting seasons vary from year to year and are hard to predict, so no month guarantees a crowded platform. More days on the river is the only reliable way to improve your chances.
Once you have a month, build the itinerary around your flights or make a packing list for that season.
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Questions travellers ask
What is the worst month to visit Tanjung Puting?
There is no bad month for orangutans. For comfort, the wettest months (around December and January) and haze-prone weeks in dry El Niño years are the most challenging.
Is the rainy season a problem on a klotok?
Usually not. Storms tend to pass in a few hours, and the boat’s awning keeps the deck dry. Pack a light rain jacket for the forest walks.
When is it least crowded?
February to May and October to November, outside Indonesian public holidays.