WILDLIFE TREASURES OF BORNEO, SULAWESI & KOMODO: Orangutans, Macaques & Dragons

WILDLIFE TREASURES OF BORNEO, SULAWESI & KOMODO: OVERVIEW

Wild Images’ Wildlife Treasures of Borneo, Sulawesi and Komodo takes you to the three jewels in the wildlife crown of Indonesia’s islands in search of the charismatic Orangutan, the quirky Black Macaque and the iconic Komodo Dragon, surely one of the greatest living dinosaurs on earth.

While the focus of our tour is on these wonderful creatures, we will also be searching for other wildlife including one of the world’s tiniest primates, the Spectral Tarsier, reptiles including pit vipers and geckos, insects, amphibians and a host of spectacular rainforest birds including the stunning Knobbed and Rhinoceros Hornbills and Stork-billed Kingfisher.

KOMODO – LAND OF THE DRAGONS

Our tour begins in Labuan Bajo, the main centre for travel to the scenically beautiful islands of Komodo and Rinca, home of the Komodo Dragon, possibly one of the most mythical and biologically fascinating reptiles on the planet!

Komodo dragons are the largest and heaviest reptiles in the world (they can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh up to 150 pounds, or over 70 kilograms), and walking with them feels like communing with the world’s last dinosaurs.  Their curious biology includes parthenogenesis, or the female’s ability to produce offspring without ever mating with a male, and they are also venomous.  

We will spend two full days in their realm, photographing them in the best light.  At times when the light is harsh, we will have the chance to explore their satellite islands, including walking on the pink sand beaches and snorkelling in the turquoise seas of Komodo, searching for corals and iridescent reef fish for which Komodo is also famous.

TANGKOKO BATUANGUS NATURE RESERVE

Imagine a world of forests that flank the sides of an ancient volcano.  Hidden deep in the mountains of Sulawesi, those forests exist as the Tangkoko Batuangus Nature Reserve.

Spread out over almost 9,000 hectares, Tangkoko is home to some of Asia’s most threatened mammals, including the quirky and comical Celebes Crested Macaque, of which only around 5,500 remain on the island.

Sometimes called Black Macaques, they are completely black in colour, except for a pink, fleshy rump that, in males, is heart-shaped.

Their head shape is more baboon-like than other macaque species, and they are well known for their beautiful marmalade coloured eyes and often hilarious toothy smiles.

Tangkoko is also the forest world of the alien-like Spectral Tarsier, one of the world’s smallest primate species.  These tiny, round-eyed creatures spend their days sleeping in tree hollows, preferring to come out at dusk to dine on insects before foraging in the forest at night.

During our time in Tangkoko, we may also be lucky enough to spot the curious Bear Cuscus.  We will also search for the stunningly beautiful Knobbed Hornbill.

INDONESIAN BORNEO: TANJUNG PUTING NATIONAL PARK

Few experiences in the world rival spending time with wild Orangutans.  It is a joy that is perhaps only surpassed by spending time with Gorillas in Africa.  These gentle primates have a name that literally translates as ‘people of the forest’ – ‘orang’ (human) and ‘hutan’ (forest) and spending time with them, you cannot help but realise how uncannily human these incredible creatures are.

The Dayak people of Borneo once believed orangutans could speak but chose not to, fearing they would be forced to work if they were ever caught.  Indeed, even now if you look an Orangutan in the eye, you may find your own expressions are mirrored in theirs.

Glance down at their hands, and you will find they are remarkably similar to your own.

These incredible red apes are extremely intelligent creatures that can reason and think like humans.  Baby Orangutans cry when they are hungry, whimper when they are hurt, and they smile lovingly at their mothers.

As uniquely arboreal great apes, they live quietly in the trees and only descend to the forest floor when they must.  Each night, they build giant tree nests of branches and leaves to sleep in.

They are largely silent. If it wasn’t for a baby’s cry or an excited alpha male’s call, you might never know they were there.

Orangutans are so highly adapted to their rainforest world that they have been known to make and use tools.  For example, they use branches to poke into termite holes, extracting the unsuspecting insect as a small snack, or they have been seen using large branches to test water depth before crossing streams.  When monsoon rain falls, Orangutans have even been seen making umbrellas for themselves out of big leaves.

Sadly, their entire world is under threat from three human activities – fire, destruction of the forest and poaching.

In Indonesia, their world is mostly in the wondrous Tanjung Puting National Park.

Stretching over 400,000 hectares, Tanjung Puting is a rainforest wonderland and home to Proboscis Monkeys, gibbons, macaques, clouded leopards, sun bears, wild boars, porcupines, and Sambar Deer.  It also features many reptiles, including crocodiles, monitor lizards and pythons.  Avifauna highlights include hornbills and kingfishers.

While our focus in Tanjung Puting will be photographing the wonderful Orangutans that call the park home, we will also aim to capture a portfolio of other creatures, telling a story of the Indonesian rainforest through your eyes.

Indonesian Borneo is the final jewel in the crown of this spectacular wildlife odyssey, plunging you into the gentle realm of one of the world’s most charismatic great apes.

Accommodation, road and air transport

Our Indonesia wildlife photography tour uses comfortable lodges throughout.

Walking

The walking effort throughout this journey is mixed, from easy to moderate, with trails of varying length. Walking in the Komodo section of the tour is moderate, with some hills, so you’ll need a reasonable level of walking fitness.

Climate

Indonesia has multiple climates throughout the region, and although weather cannot be guaranteed, when we’re travelling in April, Borneo typically sees dry, warm days with minimal rainfall. Sulawesi, traditionally is glorious at this time of year with potential of slight rains but this is a great time of year before the crowded popular months. Komodo and Flores are still hot and dry, with comfortable temperatures, and the islands shimmer with greenery.