Our Beginning
Born from a deep love for Kalimantan’s rivers, wildlife, and people—WOW Borneo has been connecting travellers with Central Kalimantan’s extraordinary river landscapes since it was established in 2008.
How It Began
WOW Borneo was born on the rivers of Central Kalimantan, where the forest meets the water and ancient traditions meet modern conservation. Our founders fell in love with this extraordinary region—its wild orangutans and forest canopy, its blackwater rivers reflecting endless sky, its Dayak communities preserving centuries-old wisdom.
They saw something remarkable: a place where wildlife thrives, where culture remains vibrant, and where sustainable tourism could make a genuine difference to the widespread industrial plantation industry. They also saw a gap—travellers seeking authentic experiences struggled to access these remote rivers safely and respectfully. Local communities had extraordinary stories to share but lacked connections to responsible tourism.
WOW Borneo bridged that gap.
Building Relationships, Not Just Routes
From the start, we knew success meant more than beautiful itineraries. It meant deep partnerships with local communities, conservation organisations, and the people who call these rivers home. We spent years building trust, learning proper protocols, understanding what villages needed, and how tourism could support rather than disrupt.
Today, our guides aren’t just employees—many grew up along these rivers, learning forest skills from their elders. Our village partnerships ensure tourism benefits local families directly. Our conservation collaborations with BOS Foundation and BNF help protect the orangutans and forests our guests come to experience.
Every klotok journey employs local staff, purchases local supplies, and contributes to community development. When you cruise with WOW Borneo, you’re supporting this network of relationships that makes authentic, responsible tourism possible.
The Rivers That Shaped Us
The Kahayan River taught us about cultural depth. In villages along its banks, we witnessed Dayak traditions alive in daily life—not performed for tourists, but genuinely practiced. We learned about sacred sandungs, traditional crafts, and the spiritual beliefs shaping this landscape. These communities welcomed us, shared their knowledge, and trusted us to bring respectful visitors into their world.
The Katingan River and Sebangau National Park showed us true wilderness. Here, over 6,000 wild orangutans roam in vast peat swamp forests—completely wild, unhabituated, authentic. Working originally with WWF conservation teams, we learned how sustainable tourism could fund protection for these critical ecosystems while creating opportunities for local communities.
Tanjung Puting National Park connected us to conservation history. Walking the trails where Dr. Biruté Galdikas pioneered orangutan research, visiting feeding stations where rehabilitation succeeds, we understood our responsibility. These aren’t just tourist sites—they’re living conservation projects where every visitor can contribute to long-term protection.
Our Boats, Our Home
Our traditional klotoks are more than transportation—they’re floating homes where experiences unfold naturally. We’ve carefully renovated these wooden river boats to balance authentic character with modern comfort. Air-conditioned ensuite cabins, comfortable bedding, spacious decks for wildlife watching—all while maintaining the soul of traditional Kalimantan river craft.
Meals are prepared fresh daily by skilled onboard chefs. Our boats are designed for small groups, ensuring personal attention. Flexibility to adapt when wildlife appears or village ceremonies happen. This is how we believe river cruising should be—intimate, responsive, authentic.
Conservation at Our Core
From the beginning, conservation has been central to everything we do. We follow strict ethical wildlife-viewing protocols: no feeding, no touching, and always maintaining respectful distances. We limit group sizes to minimise environmental impact. We support reforestation projects, orangutan rehabilitation, and community-based conservation initiatives.
Our partnerships with BOS Foundation and BNF aren’t just logos on a website—they’re active collaborations ensuring tourism supports rather than undermines conservation goals. A portion of every cruise directly funds these efforts.
We’re proud that responsible tourism can help protect these irreplaceable ecosystems while providing sustainable livelihoods for communities who’ve protected these forests for generations.
Looking Forward
Today, WOW Borneo continues evolving. We’re expanding partnerships with more villages, supporting additional conservation projects, and constantly improving how we minimise impact while maximising authentic experiences.
But our core mission remains unchanged: connecting travellers with the extraordinary wilderness and culture in ways that are authentic, respectful, and beneficial to all. Every cruise should leave guests transformed by what they’ve experienced—and leave communities and ecosystems better off than before.
The rivers that shaped us continue teaching us. The orangutans we’re honoured to observe remind us what’s at stake. The communities we partner with inspire us with their wisdom and resilience.
This is WOW Borneo—born from love for these rivers, sustained by partnerships with remarkable people, dedicated to conservation and authentic connection.
Join us. The rivers are waiting.
Ready to Be Part of Our Story?
Every guest who cruises with WOW Borneo becomes part of this ongoing story—supporting conservation, connecting with communities, and experiencing Borneo at its most authentic.