15 independent reviews for Orangutan photography in Borneo
Reviews for Orangutan photography in Borneo
Caroline Brown review 16 Nov 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
From seeing the first Orangutan (Sandra) to witnessing Mona being released back in to the wild, there are probably too many to mention, but i guess i will never forget these two specific moments.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
listen/read the advice given by Ian pre holiday, whether it be about unnecessary vaccinations or using the laundry service, all helped to make it so much simpler. Also if you're travelling on your own, take a pack of playing cards :-) , not to sit on your own but its amazing how it can help break the ice, you might also learn a card trick or 2 from Ian !3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Whilst you naturally contribute financially, getting to meet and donate to the local school, having the opportunity to enter the reforestation area to plant a tree, and also experiencing first hand the work the the Orangutan Foundation, i feel that the holiday delivers more as it leaves you wanting to do more.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Everything i could've hoped for and more.LIN MCALLISTER review 1 Nov 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing the orangutans in their natural environment.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take a pashmina to wrap around your head as there are lots of mosquitoes and take plenty of good spray.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes I did. The people were lovely and very friendly.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was excellent. I would have liked more photographic instruction.Read the operator's response here:
Hi thanks so much for coming on this trip. Between you all you donated £2000 to the Orangutan Foundation from this trip which the Big Give are doubling to £4000. You saw their work at first hand and witnessing an orangutan being released back into the wild after 8 years being cared for was such a special day to share with you. Point taken about photography advice. My time did get a but dominated by people with better cameras and there is only so much you can do with a bridge camera but you got some lovely shots.
Jude Bull review 31 Dec 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Releasing an orangutan into the wild after his rehabiltation at the centre. It was an emotional experience and one I will not forget.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't underestimate the number of insects that will bite you if given the opportunity, bring loads of mozzie spray! A good camera and lens is essential to get the best out of the wildlife photo opportunities from the boat - particularly the birdlife - but despite my inadequate equipment I still found plenty of interest when walking through the forests and at the feeding stations. The landscapes were spectacular too.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Absolutely. From the accommodation to the food and everything in between. Ian encouraged his guests to gift items to the local village, and in addition to a donation to the Orangutan Foundation we visited a reforestation project and planted trees.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
First class. The accommodation at Rimba Lodge was rustic charm, the staff at the lodge and on our lovely boat were exceptionally friendly and the food outstanding.Jo Graddon review 8 Dec 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The whole trip was a memorable experience but just being able to witness the orangutans in their natural habitat was truly awesome.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared for some early mornings but it is totally worth it for the scenario and wildlife. Don't forget to bring your refillable water bottle.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. The boat crew and the staff at the lodge, where we were staying, are from the local village. Between the group we raised over £3000 for the Orangutan Foundation UK who is working to save the critically endangered orangutan and their tropical forest habitat.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was an amazing trip that I would thoroughly recommend to anyone. Ian was a very generous host ensuring that we got the best experience as well as fantastic photographs. Edy was a very knowledgeable guide and the boat crew were brilliant. As well as the orangutans, which it was a privilege to be able to photograph, we got to experience a wide variety of other wildlife. Each day out on the river was a new experience and I have come away from the holiday with a tonne of cherished memories and a bunch of new friends. If you get the opportunity to go on this trip to Borneo I recommend you go for it, safe in the knowledge that you are also helping in the orangutan conservation as Ian makes a generous donation to the Orangutan Foundation as a result of the trip.Julie Stewart review 5 Nov 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Being on the river every day and the amount of wildlife we saw; Ian's knowledge not only of photography but also of the area, the people and the wildlife; the amazing food.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Ian's pre-travel tips were great. There is nothing more to recommend.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, the trip costs also included contributing to the local conservation charity for which we received a year's subscription.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Amazing!Susan Wigetman review 3 Nov 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing the wonderful orangutans.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
It's a wonderful trip. Packed with wildlife. Be prepared for hot weather.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, all local people working. They are extremely nice, very helpful and the woman who cooked for us made really delicious meals.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was a fabulous trip. My wife and I loved it.Judy Parker review 30 Nov 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The most memorable part was hearing the trees snap and bend, looking up and seeing orangutans coming through.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared for the heat and the humidity.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I understand that a decent sum of money was donated to the orangutan conservation groups. I also believe that the use of the boat reduced our environmental impact.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
This was an amazing holiday. We spent all of our days on the boat, stopping at various feeding stations and other places of interest. The crew on the boat were wonderful, so helpful and brilliant at spotting wild life as we drifted down the river. Although the whole point was to see orangutans, we also saw many proboscis monkeys and macaques, as well as crocs, insects, and so many wonderful birds. Ian was very good at helping us to achieve the best shots with our cameras. This is a trip not to be missed.Read the operator's response here:
Thanks so much Judy for being part of such a great trip; thoroughly enjoyed your company. Yes we donated £2500 from this trip to The Orangutan Foundation and the Big Give then doubled this amount so a very successful week.
Jennifer Maloney review 24 Nov 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing the Orangutans (of course!), plethora of bird species and even a clouded leopard in the wild! I do believe we saw an amazing amount of wildlife and had good guides to try and help spot!2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Borneo is very hot and humid so just be prepared and drink plenty of water. Expect to be comfortable with basic needs at the lodge, however do not expect luxury. Everyone we encountered on the trip was so nice and accommodating. Pack light as there is great laundry service available and try to support the local economy as much as possible.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, I definitely felt we helped to support the local people. I'm happy that the orangutan tourism and conservation efforts to restore rainforests give the local villagers options besides working in the palm oil industry. Seeing the firsthand efforts to replant destroyed portions of rain forest (and planting a tree myself!) was a wonderful experience.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I would go again, 5 starsRead the operator's response here:
Thanks so much Jennifer for being such a positive part of this trip. Together we raised £2500 from this trip which has been donated to the Orangutan Foundation's current appeal to protect forests by empowering the local community and then the Big Give doubled this donation.
Clive Davies review 25 Nov 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Every day seemed to have its own standout highlight, from the initial speedboat ride into the jungle, the first encounter with the Orangutans, the amazing colours of the Kingfishers, the big male Orangutan strutting his stuff a few feet from us, wonderful food on the boat, the coffee (its an experience all of its own), evenings spent chatting surrounded by the jungle noises, our terrible song to the local village kids, but for me the most memorable was the Proboscis monkeys doing Tom Daley drives into the river.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
It's a rain forest - it does rain occasionally and when it does, it really does! A simple rain poncho is probably a better option than the expensive rain jacket I took - you can get your camera under that was well if needed. Also DEET works !3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Absolutely, to begin with as part of this holiday a donation is included to the Orangutan Foundation of about $500 each. There is a clear desire by Ian to not only support the Foundation but minimise the environmental impact of our visit, and support the local populations, for example avoiding single use plastic, and sourcing locally as far as possible. Most of the those employed by the River Lodge and the boat were from the local village and as part of the trip we were able to visit the local village and encouraged to donate a few small gifts to the school children.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Absolutely Loved it! I have been lucky enough to visit a number of rain forests and this combination of slow boat travel and short walks to the feeding stations seems by far the best way of seeing wildlife. Much of the action is generally up in the canopy but here the river is a draw for the animals and the boat a perfect platform for viewing. In addition you have wonderful company and Ian has clearly been doing these trips for a long time and they have been refined to perfection.Elizabeth Chang review 26 Nov 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Never expected my first close encounter with Orangutans to be THAT close! For a novice 'photographer' that's a bonus.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
None really. As the headline suggests - would take a relatively good camera.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, enjoyed the village visit. Yes, bring a refill-able bottle - good idea. Yes, really loved the plant a tree hour (quite emotional).4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very good. Particularly liked the small group and having a host who has so much experience and attachment to the local community and conservation activities is always an advantage. Being centre based means not having to pack and unpack.Read the operator's response here:
Thanks for your lovely feedback Elizabeth ...
along with planting your tree we also donated
£350 each from every person on this trip
which went towards the massive tree planting
project in Lsmandau so you also contributed
to the planting of many hundreds of other
trees there too.
Jane Savage review 6 Dec 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
There were many but to narrow down my top 3. The mother and baby at the feeding station that had 4 of us females in tears when she left as it was just one of those amazing magical moments. My nicknamed Missy Attitude teenage female who blocked us from walking down the path but gave us an amazing show and stole a little piece of my heart and finally the troop of Probiscus monkeys diving (well belly flopping) into the river and swimming across. Just got to love nature.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
It is very very humid so definitely no cotton. Take quick dry T-shirt’s and long sleeves for the rainforest walks and mozzie time! I took a pack of micro fibre cloths - brilliant for wiping sweat (sorry!). Play with your camera before!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes definitely. Donations to the Orangutan foundation, planted a tree, visited a school with useful gifts and filled water into our own drink containers so no plastic bottles.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A fantastic trip with like minded people, great playing with the camera daily - Had good tuition from Ian when asked and everyone shared tips too. Learnt more tips of the trade! Food at the lodge and on the boat was superb and the boat crew, guide and cook were brilliant! Throw in unbelievable wildlife daily and the magic of Orangutans - how could you go wrong!!Maggie Jefferies review 4 Dec 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
It’s difficult to pinpoint just one highlight of this wonderful trip. Seeing nature at its finest is always such a privilege, but those wonderful Orangutans stole my heart.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Try and get to know your camera well and everything will make sense under Ian’s expert tuition. Also plenty of mossie spray!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I was delighted to make a donation to the Orangutan Foundation (included in the cost of the trip) give the local school children useful gifts, plant a tree in a conservation area and the fact that we all refilled our own water bottle must have saved a considerable amount of plastic.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Time spent together with likeminded people who have a combined love of wildlife and photography resulted in a week of many memorable moments and fun. Ian was always there to give as much photographic support as we needed, from those of us just at the beginning of our photography journey to the more advanced.Charlie Davidson review 20 Nov 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Watching the Orangutans in the wild.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
do not think about it, get it booked its an amazing experience!!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes definitely4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fantastic, an amazing experienceNikki Biggs review 3 Nov 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
We had the privilege of seeing orang-utans, and a whole host of other wildlife, up close and personal on a daily basis. A wealth of magical moments that I shall treasure forever! There were only 7 of us on the trip, so we got the chance to get to know each other really quickly, so it more like you were sharing the experience with friends after a few days together which added to the experience!2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Get the camera out and start practising for a few weeks before the trip so you're ready to go! Check out Ian's website for some inspiration and to get even more excited about what you're going to see! Pack lots of long sleeved tops (the mosis are a little bothersome!)3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Absolutely! There was a significant donation from the cost of the trip, given to The Orang-utan Foundation and we had the pleasure of visiting some of the sites of the foundation to see first hand what an incredible job they are doing. Ian is also clearly incredibly passionate about wildlife and conservation and endeavours to support it with his trips whenever possible. My only worry was that we were only drinking from plastic water bottles the whole time and I am doubtful that this plastic would have been recycled.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
An absolutely magical experience. A full immersion into the Bornean wilderness, it's wildlife, beautiful scenery and an introduction to a really incredible wildlife photographer! Thank you!Read the operator's response here:
Thanks for your lovely feedback Nikki. Totally agree with your comment about plastic drinking bottles ! We've been looking into the solution to get people to bring their own re-usable drinking bottles which they can then fill up as and when needed from a large mineral water deposit.
Henriette Hradocka review 17 Nov 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
My ambition was to see both orangutans and proboscis monkeys and this trip fulfilled this every day and more with such close and intimate sightings. A real highlight was watching the interaction between orangutans at Camp Leakey one day. But we saw so much other wildlife too including macaques, gibbons, hornbills and crocodiles. I also very much enjoyed our visit to the village and the interaction with the local children. On a personal level I also learnt a lot about photography which Ian always explained in a fun and easy to understand way.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
To just travel with an open mind and heart.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, yes and yes. And in many ways too. As part of this holiday we all made a donation to the Orangutan Foundation of about $500 each so together we really helped to raise some money for this cause. Ian gave a moving presentation one evening about the plight of orangutans and the hopes and fears for their future. All the local people employed such as boat crew and guides were from the local village. As part of the pre-trip information Ian asked us all to bring items that the village needed too. So we all arrived there with things like toothbrushes, toothpaste, books and toys for the children. To see the happinness in the children faces was unforgetteble and uplifting.Ian’s friendship with the local people really makes this trip extra special.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Overall just absolutely amazing. As a nature lover, traveler and with an interest in knowing new cultures and interacting with local people I really appreciated the program of the trip. As a beginner in photography I really appreciated the patient and willing attitude that Ian had on this tour. It was for me an incredible experience and new knowledge in every aspect despite the difficult situation we faced at the end of our trip from the fires and smoke in Borneo. In such a situation, it is crucial to have an experienced guide with good contacts with local people especially who speaks the local language which Ian does. When we arrived at the airport to take our flights back to Jakarta it was closed due to the level of smoke from the forest fire. Ian was able to present to our group and to realise possible solutions for safe and quick return to Europe. Thanks to his professional approach and personal engagement he handled this situation with compassion and humour. We all felt safe and returned back to Europe enriched by this adventure. I cannot praise Ian enough and will be booking future tours with him. Thanks !Holiday Reviews
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