Orangutan photography in Borneo

Planet and people

We only make use of local suppliers and services. These include locally owned and run accommodation and food from local produce. This ensures that the funds generated from these stay within the country and filter to the local economy. We also only employ local guides and boatmen in order to contribute to the economy of the local community.

£350 per person from the Orangutan photography holiday is donated directly to the Orangutan Foundation to help them conserve the Tanjung Puting national park. Through their work they have created numerous local jobs in this area such as at the research centre, the orangutan care centre and at a network of guard posts in the Tanjung Puting national park. Some of these jobs are at guard posts at strategic points along the rivers. Only Indonesians are employed on these guard posts and they are paid above the local rate. They are an important way in helping to conserve this national park as they stop people such as illegal loggers entering the area. A park entry fee is paid for each visitor which directly contributes to the running of this national park.

For distribution of tour information and pre and post booking we only use the internet and email. Where ever possible we try and run a paper free office. Our office only uses green electricity and we keep consumption as low as possible. All lights are energy efficient and computers are turned off at night. Everything that can be recycled is recycled and all green waste is composted. The majority of our food consumed at our office is organically grown in our garden. Other produce is fair trade where possible.

The accommodation we use in the Tanjung Puting national park has an emphasis on environmental protection through education of both guests and staff. They recycle water and waste, use solar power and have a worm farm for composting.

Each tour group is limited to just 7 people to minimize the impact on the local eco system. Any areas we visit are to be left as we find them. No litter is to be left behind and nothing is to be removed by us or our clients. We will avoid damaging vegetation, flora and fauna. We will only introduce our clients to areas where the community welcomes them and we will provide accurate pre-trip information on the social and political situation in the destination.