Camp Leakey - Taman Nasional Tanjung Puting
Camp Leakey is a camp near Taman Nasional Tanjung Puting.
- Location
- Taman Nasional Tanjung Puting, Borneo's Rainforest Frontier, Indonesia, Southeast Asia
- Coordinates
- -2.761872, 111.941150
- Activities
- camp
Best Time to Visit Camp Leakey
The best months to visit Camp Leakey are January, February, March, based on temperature, rainfall, weather conditions, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Month-by-Month Safari Conditions
- January: Good, temperature 26.22°C, rainfall 291.7mm, sunshine 7.6 hrs, humidity 87.3%
- February: Good, temperature 26.45°C, rainfall 260.1mm, sunshine 7.7 hrs, humidity 86.6%
- March: Good, temperature 26.5°C, rainfall 288.4mm, sunshine 8 hrs, humidity 87.1%
- April: Good, temperature 26.68°C, rainfall 272.5mm, sunshine 8.4 hrs, humidity 87.7%
- May: Good, temperature 26.86°C, rainfall 279mm, sunshine 8.4 hrs, humidity 87.9%
- June: Good, temperature 26.19°C, rainfall 250.5mm, sunshine 8.8 hrs, humidity 87.7%
- July: Good, temperature 26.07°C, rainfall 223.9mm, sunshine 9.2 hrs, humidity 85.7%
- August: Good, temperature 26.37°C, rainfall 206.5mm, sunshine 9.2 hrs, humidity 83.5%
- September: Good, temperature 26.51°C, rainfall 226mm, sunshine 8.6 hrs, humidity 83.5%
- October: Good, temperature 26.43°C, rainfall 325.8mm, sunshine 7.9 hrs, humidity 86.2%
- November: Good, temperature 26.13°C, rainfall 394.7mm, sunshine 7.3 hrs, humidity 88.9%
- December: Good, temperature 26.29°C, rainfall 315.5mm, sunshine 7.7 hrs, humidity 87.8%
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the orangutan viewing experience like at Camp Leakey, and how close can we expect to get?
We find the orangutan encounters here to be incredibly intimate and profound, far removed from zoo environments. You'll observe them in their natural habitat, often from a respectful distance at feeding platforms, which allows for truly authentic viewing without disturbance. We recommend bringing good binoculars to fully appreciate their intricate behaviors.
When is the best time of year to visit Camp Leakey for optimal weather and orangutan sightings?
We always suggest visiting during the dry season, roughly from May to September, when the weather is more predictable and the forest trails are easier to navigate. While orangutans are present year-round, the drier conditions often make for more comfortable trekking and better visibility for wildlife spotting.
What kind of accommodation and facilities can we expect at Camp Leakey itself?
Camp Leakey is primarily a research station, so the "camp" experience is wonderfully rustic and focused on immersion, not luxury. You'll typically stay on a klotok boat, which serves as your floating accommodation, offering basic but comfortable sleeping arrangements and delicious meals prepared onboard. We love falling asleep to the sounds of the jungle surrounding us.
How do we typically reach Camp Leakey within Taman Nasional Tanjung Puting?
Accessing Camp Leakey is an adventure in itself, and we believe it's part of the charm. You'll embark on a multi-day journey via a traditional klotok boat up the Sekonyer River, which is the primary mode of transport and also your accommodation. This slow, immersive river cruise allows for fantastic wildlife viewing along the banks before you even reach the camp.
Besides orangutans, what other unique wildlife can we hope to encounter around Camp Leakey?
While the orangutans are undoubtedly the stars, we've been consistently delighted by the rich biodiversity of Tanjung Puting. Keep an eye out for proboscis monkeys with their distinctive noses, long-tailed macaques, and various bird species like hornbills and kingfishers along the riverbanks. The nocturnal forest also reveals fascinating insects and sometimes even civets.