Deep in the heart of Northern Sumatra live the “people of the forest”, the Sumatran orangutan, whose name is derived from the local words orang (people) and hutan (forest). We had the rare treat of seeing these animals in the wild in Gunung Leuser National Park in Sumatra Indonesia, along with many other forest inhabitants.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 14 Aug 2024
Gunung Leuser National Park, Sumatra, Indonesia, 8/14/2024, National Geographic Orion
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- Indonesia & Papua New Guinea
Brett Garner, Undersea Specialist
Brett is a photographer, marine biologist, and educator from California. He is happiest underwater with camera in hand working to inspire marine conservation. He has worked and traveled extensively throughout the Americas, Asia, Oceania, and the Midd...
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Journey through Southeast Asia: Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia
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8/26/2024
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National Geographic Orion
Gunung Leuser National Park, Bukit Lawang, Sumatra
Today we awoke in the forest of Gunung Leuser National Park, in the northern hills of Sumatra. After a hearty and spicy Indonesian breakfast, we began our walk into the forest. We started early to avoid the bite of the midday sun. Guests also had the option to visit the nearby town for cultural insight of the local community. For those who opted for the forest walk, our efforts were instantly rewarded with a rare sighting of an elusive pit viper. As we ascended the hill, we also came across an impressive lizard our guides identified as the giant forest lizard. Before long we had stumbled across another group of orangutans and leafy langurs. These encounters were incredibly close and offered some fantastic opportunities for photography. The keen-eyed birders of the group were treated to a broadbill sighting, although most heard its distinctive call. On our walk home, some guests caught a glimpse of white-faced gibbons across the valley. All in all, it was another great day exploring Indonesia and the restful bus trip home was well received.
8/25/2024
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National Geographic Orion
Gunung Leuser National Park, Bukit Lawang, Sumatra
This morning, we began our expeditions to the remote community of Bukit Lawang to visit the Gunung Leuser National Park. We docked at Belawan port where we were greeted with an energetic dance performance. We took a bus to the northern hills, and once we arrived, we enjoyed a traditional Indonesian lunch before making our way into the forest. The walk was challenging at times but well worth it when we saw our first great apes. These orangutans were large and relatively close. In total we saw six individuals including males, females, and youngsters. The rain during our return didn’t dampen any spirits and once back, we enjoyed a swim in the river and another fantastic dinner before retiring in preparation for tomorrow’s adventure.