Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, however, during some seasons, the numbers may fluctuate due to the availability of wild fruit in the forest! If you are looking for certainty, our cruises in Tanjung Puting National Park (aboard Kumai, Sekonyer or the Spirit of Lamandau) offer virtual certainty of seeing orangutans living in rehabilitation areas. On the Kahayan Cruise (aboard Rahai’i Pangun) we see orangutans on Kaja Island, unless there are exceptionally dry conditions. Our cruise to the Sebangau National Park on the Katingan River (aboard Spirit of Kalimantan) is a more untamed and mercurial experience with a wide range of wildlife observations but where orangutans live in the wild – they are territorial and dependent on where the fruiting trees are – thus, a sighting is not 100% guaranteed.

Scheduled cruises depart from designated ports on Saturdays and Tuesdays. Private charters can depart on any day, subject to availability.

Generally speaking, once we move away from your port of departure, you’ll be outside the range of mobile phone and wifi networks for the duration of your cruise. From time to time a signal may be available but not on a consistent basis.

There are just a few simple steps: First, choose your preferred cruise from our website. Second, choose your preferred cabin type (and your riverboat, if Tanjung Puting is your cruise destination). Third, make an enquiry with us is via any Enquire Now button on the website, telling us your preferences and the number of guests in your group. We’ll come back to you to confirm availability. Next, once we get the dates settled, you’ll pay a 25% non-refundable deposit and receive confirmation of your booking from us. Finally, pay the balance at least 30 days prior to departure (we will remind you). You can reach us by email anytime at info@wowborneo.com but starting the process with the Enquiry Form on the website makes sure we capture all the information we need to respond to you properly.

Yes you can alter your booking 31 days or more prior to departure by transferring to another cruise that takes place within 12 months and by payment of an administration fee of USD $100. Unfortunately, we have a long booking cycle and it is unlikely we can sell cancelled space on a cruise to another customer, so in relation to cancellations, your 25% deposit is non-refundable. Please check our terms and conditions for the specific details.

Yes, but with some conditions. We’ll hold a tentative booking for 24 hours. If you confirm the booking within that time, we will issue our invoice for the 25% deposit, payable immediately on receipt. We are happy to work with you while you make adjacent arrangements – its best to stay in close communication.

Payment can be made via credit card or via bank transfer direct to our account. Payment cannot be made in cash.

Yes we do. We guarantee departure of our cruises once the first cabin is booked and in order to do that, the first booking must be for two passengers in the ‘Superior Cabin’. We’ll let you know cabin availability and requirements (if any) when you enquire. We also cater for solo travellers (once the first cabin is sold) at a supplement of 50% of the standard adult rate for their chosen cabin.

Yes, you can book a private charter to vary a cruise schedule or to take the whole riverboat for your party. In fact, this is a popular option for special occasions and events. Simply fill out the form at any Enquire Now button on the website, select the ‘Private Charter’ option and provide us with more information about your ideal trip in the notes section of the form. We’ll take it from there and come back to you with options and pricing.

Broadly speaking, we have three cabin options but the combinations vary between our five riverboats. ‘Superior Cabin’ is our largest cabin with ensuite bathroom, air conditioning, and private terrace. Double Cabin is a comfortable ensuite cabin with air conditioning and double bed. Twin Cabin (only available on the Kumai) is also an ensuite cabin with air conditioning but with two single beds. All cabins include comfortable bedding, towels, toiletries, and hot water showers. Check the Riverboat pages on the website for details about specific boats. Note that none of our cabins have provision for extra beds – strictly a two person maximum.

You will need a reasonable level of physical fitness to undertake the cruise. This includes being able to get on and off the riverboat and to move around the boat including up and down stairs. Cruises visiting National Parks also involve walking modest distances through the rainforest. You must also be able to follow basic safety instructions. We can consider exceptions on a case by case basis and by prior negotiation with regard to the additional on-board staff and costs that may be involved in meeting any special needs.

We welcome children aged five years and above (as at the date of departure) on our cruises, on the strict understanding that cruises involve many unusual risks and that children are under your sole care and supervision. Children twelve years and under are charged at 50% of the corresponding adult rate. We can make special arrangements in advance to cater for children under five years old but by prior negotiation.

Yes! Our cruises involve travel to remote locations in natural environments where access to medical care is not readily available. Travel insurance, including cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses and emergency repatriation, is a requirement for travel on our cruises. You will need to provide us with details of your travel insurance including the policy number and the insurance company’s 24 hour emergency contact number at least two weeks prior to your scheduled departure date.

We do permit alcohol consumption on board our cruises. Beer is available in major towns (including Palangkaraya and Pangkaln Bun) for purchase prior to departure and we also have a limited selection of wine kept at our office which can be ordered in advance (contact us for details). Although available in Indonesia, alcohol is not sold widely for religious reasons – and we ask that it is not consumed to excess onboard. Bringing illegal drugs on board our riverboats is not permitted.

The cost of your trip is designed to be all-inclusive. It includes: English speaking guides; all meals, snacks and non-alcoholic drinks during the cruise; all side trips and tours on your itinerary including entry fees to national parks and reserves, and payments to villages; all ground transport including transfers to and from your hotel or airport (only on the first day and last day of your trip). The cost of your trip doesn’t include airfares; hotels; travel insurance (mandatory); alcoholic beverages; the cost of items you may wish to purchase, such as handicrafts during village visits; and nor does it include gratuities for your guide and crew (not compulsory but always welcome).

See our ‘Preparing for your trip’ guides for each of our three locations for more detail but here is a quick summary: The ‘Orangutan and Dayak Culture’ Cruise on the Rahai’i Pangun and the ‘Sebangau National Park and Katingan River’ Cruise on the Spirit of Kalimantan depart from Palanka Raya from either the airport or hotel lobby at 8.30am. Flights to Tjilik Riwut Airport in Palangka Raya can be booked from Jakarta, Surabaya, Semarang and Yogyakarta (in rough order of availability and airline choice).

The ‘Orangutan Tour in Tanjung Puting National Park’ on board the Kumai, the Sekonyer or the Spirit of Lamandau, depart from either the airport or hotel lobby at 8.30am. Flights to Iskandar Airport in Pangkalan Bun can be booked from Jakarta, Surabaya, Solo and Semarang. This information was correct at the time of publication but please make your own investigations as airline flights and schedules change frequently. We can help with flight and hotel information when you are ready to book – just reach out via our Enquiry Page or our Contact form.

No, but some walking may be necessary to get the best out of your experience – our cruises to Tanjung Puting National Park require easy walking along sandy paths of up to several kilometres. Regardless, you’ll see a lot of wildlife in the comfort of your chosen riverboat.

Our food is based on local produce and recipes and is part of your experience on the cruise. We cater for vegetarians and vegans as well as for food intolerances and other dietary requirements of our guests, but all by prior request (let us know in your enquiry or booking form). Feel free to contact us if you have questions.

Bringing some cash in Indonesian Rupiah (or USD) is not required but it is advisable. Our guests generally like to purchase handicrafts or souvenirs and also to provide a tip to their guide and the crew who have looked after them at the end of the cruise. We recommend guests obtain IDR (Indonesian Rupiah) from a currency exchange in a major airport or city inside Indonesia. Currency exchange to IDR is not available during a cruise.

Our crew members speak Indonesian (or local dialects) as their native language, but your guide will use English with you as the main language on the cruise. As communications about safety, about logistics and about the natural and village worlds you visit will be conducted in English, it is important that at least one person in your party is a capable English speaker and willing to translate to any in your booking who are not. We have sometimes been able to arrange for translation to other languages at additional cost and by prior negotiation – if you think you might need this, please let us know.

Well, in over 18 years of operations we’ve never had to cancel yet! Once your booking is accepted, the cruise will depart. If a force majeure (serious) event occurs that prevents us from operating, we will offer you a full refund and/or the opportunity to rebook at another date. Refer to our terms and conditions for more details.

There are mosquitos in the parks however very few cases of Malaria are reported. We recommend guests bring insect repellant and take particular precautions in the forest and outside at dusk such as wearing long sleeves and trousers. Nevertheless, we also recommend you take independent medical advice.

We’ve compiled some practical information which you read and also download as a pdf to refer to offline. We strongly recommend you read the notes relevant to your chosen cruise in Pre Departure Information.