Special on Orang-utans: A visitor's guide to Kalimantan, Indonesia

Dec 20, 2006, 6:00 GMT

Kalimantan, Indonesia- Kalimantan is in the Indonesian part of Borneo and lies in the south of the world's third-largest island. To the north there are the two Malaysian provinces of Sabah and Sarawak, as well as the Sultanate of Brunei. Kalimantan is bounded by the Java Sea.

Access and formalities:

Before travelling to Kalimantan it is advisable to fly to Bali to spend a few days acclimatizing to the hot and humid climate, and there are now non-stop flights to Bali-Denpasar, offered by airlines like Thai Airways, Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines.

From Denpasar there are several smaller airlines flying to Pangkalan Bun in Kalimantan, all stopping on Java, either at Surabaya or Yogjakarta.

There are direct flights from Jakarta to Pangkalan Bun. Travel agent Adventure Indonesia arranges domestic flights within Indonesia and advises on the best connections. A visa is necessary for most travellers, valid for 30 days, costing 25 dollars and available at the airport. Passports must be valid for at least six months after arrival.

Climate and best time to travel:

Tropical climate with temperatures around 30 degrees and high humidity. During the rainy season from November to April, the humidity can top 95 per cent. The best time to travel is between April and October, although for years there have been extensive forest first from August until the start of the rains.

Currency:

One dollar is worth around 9.10 rupiah. Changing money in Kalimantan is difficult, and it is advisable to change beforehand in Jakarta or on Bali. Banks take standard credit cards.

Health:

Innoculation against hepatitis A+B, tetanus, diphtheria and polio are recommended, along with malarial prophylaxis, particularly in the rainy season. Travellers are advised to take along medication such as aspirin, antibiotics and bandages, as there are no medical facilities in the rain forest.

Internet:

www.orangutan.org, www.adventureindonesia.com