Everything You Need to Know Before Your Borneo Adventure

If your journey begins on the day of your arrival, your guide or representative will meet you at Iskandar Airport and accompany you onwards.

If you prefer to arrive a day earlier, we can arrange your transfer from the airport to your hotel and meet you at the agreed starting point of your journey the following day.

We will discuss the arrangements with you in advance, so you know exactly what to expect when you arrive in Borneo.

Yes. At Orangutan River Retreat, we believe that a journey should feel personal.

Our itineraries are not designed to be one-size-fits-all. We can tailor your experience depending on your interests, available time, preferred pace, and the way you wish to travel.

You may be travelling alone, with a partner, as a family, or with your own private group.

Whether you are drawn to wildlife, photography, rainforest exploration, local culture, conservation, or simply the opportunity to slow down beside the river, we will help shape a journey around you.

Yes. Our journeys are designed primarily as private experiences, allowing you to travel with the people you choose and enjoy greater flexibility throughout your journey.

A private journey also gives us more freedom to adapt the experience to your interests and pace.

If you are travelling solo and would prefer to share the experience with other travellers, please let us know. Depending on availability, we may be able to discuss suitable options.

Absolutely.

Solo travel in Borneo can be a deeply rewarding experience, and we are happy to welcome solo travellers.

Travelling alone may also give you more freedom to shape the journey around your own interests and pace. As private arrangements involve the full cost of the experience, the price for a solo traveller may be higher than travelling with companions.

If you are open to meeting other travellers, we can also discuss whether a shared arrangement may be possible.

Yes. Many of our journeys can be enjoyed by families.

The most suitable itinerary will depend on the age of your children, the length of the journey, and the experiences you would like to include.

For younger children, we may suggest adapting the pace, trekking distances, or daily schedule to make the journey more comfortable for everyone.

The river can be a wonderful place for families to explore together, with wildlife encounters unfolding naturally along the way.

A kelotok is a traditional wooden riverboat used to travel through the waterways of Borneo.

For many of our journeys, it becomes much more than transportation.

It becomes your moving base, your place for meals, wildlife watching, quiet mornings, and evenings beneath the rainforest sky.

The design and facilities vary depending on the boat selected for your journey, but most include an upper deck where guests can relax and sleep, a dining area, a bathroom, and space to enjoy the surrounding landscape.

The best part is often simply being on deck as the river carries you through the forest.

Sleeping arrangements depend on the kelotok chosen for your journey.

Typically, guests sleep on the upper deck, where mattresses, bedding, pillows, blankets, and mosquito nets are provided.

The experience is simple, comfortable, and close to nature.

You may fall asleep to the sound of the river, the calls of nocturnal wildlife, and the gentle movement of the boat.

This is not a conventional hotel experience.

And that is precisely what makes it special.

Basic electricity is generally available for lighting and charging essential devices.

However, the availability and strength of electricity may vary between boats. We recommend bringing a power bank for cameras, phones, and other equipment.

If you are travelling with sensitive electronic equipment, please let us know in advance so we can advise you on the most suitable arrangements.

Mobile signal is limited once you travel deeper into the rainforest.

You may have connectivity during parts of the journey, particularly closer to settlements, but there is no guarantee of a continuous internet connection.

For many guests, this becomes part of the experience.

The river offers an opportunity to step away from constant notifications and reconnect with the world around you.

If you need to make an important call or send a message, your guide and boat crew will be happy to advise you on areas where a signal may be available.

Meals are freshly prepared on board and generally feature Indonesian cuisine, with dishes adapted to suit the preferences of our guests.

Meals may include rice, vegetables, chicken, fish, seafood, eggs, and other local ingredients.

We are happy to discuss your preferences before the journey. If you have favourite dishes, dietary restrictions, allergies, or specific food requirements, please let us know at least one week before your arrival in Borneo.

The more we know about your preferences, the better we can prepare for your experience.

We do our best to accommodate a wide range of dietary requirements, including vegetarian and vegan diets, as well as many food allergies and intolerances.

Please share your dietary requirements with us as early as possible.

Because you will often be travelling through remote areas, advance information is particularly important and allows our team to prepare carefully before your journey begins.

There is no single best time to experience Borneo.

Each season offers something different.

During wetter periods, the rainforest is lush and vibrant, and the rivers become an even more important part of the journey. The forest may also be quieter, with fewer visitors.

During drier periods, trails are generally easier to walk and certain wildlife experiences may become more accessible.

Wildlife, however, does not follow a calendar.

Every journey is shaped by the season, the river, the weather, and the natural rhythm of the forest.

Yes.

The rainforest remains open throughout the year, and the wet season can offer a particularly atmospheric experience.

Rain may transform the forest, fill the air with sound, and create a different rhythm along the river.

Wildlife behaviour also changes with the seasons.

The key is to travel with an open mind and understand that nature cannot be scheduled. Some of the most memorable moments may happen precisely because you were willing to wait.

We recommend packing light and bringing practical clothing suitable for a warm, humid rainforest environment.

Useful items include:

• Comfortable, lightweight clothing
• Long trousers and long-sleeved clothing
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sandals or footwear for the boat
• Insect repellent
• Sun protection
• A hat
• Rain protection
• A small daypack
• A dry bag for important belongings
• A reusable water bottle
• Camera and spare batteries or power bank
• Personal medication and a small first-aid kit
• A flashlight or headlamp

A small amount of preparation can make your time in the rainforest much more comfortable.