Tanjung Puting (Indonesia)

The main way to get to the park's different areas is by boat. So travellers usually opt for a cruise in a "klotok", a flat bottomed boat decked out to take between 2 and 10 people. Reserving this sort of transport means you will also be employing a crew, cook and guide. Granted, I was sceptical to begin with but I was quickly seduced by this means of transport which although it provides western style comforts is still very authentic and, thanks to the guide, allows you to find out much more about the park.

Tanjung Puting has a profusion of animal and vegetable species. Each turn of the Sekonyer is a chance to look at something new: yet another family of monkeys, a colourful bird flying an front of you, a tree full of fire-flies that will light up when night falls... You are completely immersed in nature and, apart from the purr of the boat's motor, there are no sounds to spoil the tranquility If, like me, you find the constant bustle of Indonesian towns tiring, then you will really enjoy this return to nature.

Obviously, Tanjung Puting's star attraction is watching the Orangutans. The park is home to lots of these "old men of the forest" and I was lucky enough to meet a lot of them in Camp Leakey. The place is dedicated to caring for these fragile animals and is one of the pillars of research on the species. You guide will explain the politics and functioning of this legendary place to you in detail. Our visit was organised for feeding time so that we could see these touching creatures up close. And you never know, you may be lucky enough to see a mother with her baby on her back climbing down to feast on a few bananas!