Samboja Lestari Lodge is located in an orangutan reserve near Balikpapan.
It is run by the BOS Foundation, which rescues orangutans and, whenever possible, releases them back into the wild after rehabilitation. Animals that cannot be released are given a home on one of the resort’s islands, where they have plenty of space and as much freedom as possible.
The resort is nestled in the middle of the jungle, so in the morning you’ll be woken up by the orangutans, all kinds of birds, and the deafening, high-pitched chirping of cicadas. From your room’s balcony, you can see squirrels darting through the branches, and with a little luck, a macaque might even pass by.
You’re only allowed to enter the reserve from the lodge if accompanied by a guide. So, outside of the excursions, all you can do is sit on your balcony, enjoy the surroundings, and relax.
An excursion to see the orangutans and Malayan sun bears is included in your stay and departs directly from the lodge. You’ll pay extra for a rainforest hike and a riverboat tour. Both require a transfer of about an hour or half an hour, and both are highly recommended. During the rainforest hike, you’ll have the chance to see hornbills and macaques.
During the boat trip, you can see groups of proboscis monkeys and, with a little luck, even a crocodile.
The lodge is a very beautiful building with an open-air restaurant offering a stunning view of the jungle. Breakfast is included in the price. You can book lunch and dinner on-site for an additional fee, which is necessary because you cannot leave the reserve on your own to go to a restaurant (there aren’t any in the area anyway). The food is served buffet-style, is fresh, and very tasty. Special dietary needs and allergies are also accommodated.
From the front desk, you can walk all the way up to an observation tower with a stunning panoramic view of the reserve and the surrounding area. The King suites with private balconies are also located in this observation tower. If you stay here, you’ll have to climb up and down quite a few stairs every time. We stayed in a Queen suite on the same floor as the front desk and the restaurant. The Queen Suite is very spacious and has four large windows overlooking the jungle. You share the balcony with others, but since the suite is on a corner, you only have neighbors on one side. We were very happy that we chose the Queen Suite and can definitely recommend it.


(Automatically translated from Dutch)