|
WELCOME TO THE REAL BORNEO! |
 Arriving at Sepinggan, the International Airport of Balikpapan, you will then travel to the Samboja Lestari Reserve. Along the way you will see traditional Indonesian villages and Buginise fishermen. Your adventure begins 45 minutes later, when you leave the main road and enter the reserve. During the rainy season, access can be difficult, but you are exploring the jungle! At the Lodge you will receive an orientation from our staff and once recovered from your journey, our naturalist guides will help you to explore the surroundings on our adventurous nature trails. We can also offer you guided walks to the orangutan islands, the sunbear sanctuary, the nursery, or the forestry projects, for example. |
|
|
THE LODGE AND ITS SURROUNDINGS |
 Staying at Samboja Lodge you are at the centre of a 2,000 hectare reserve of unique, regenerating rainforest. Exotic birds will come to your balcony and tree frogs will‘sing’ to you in the evening. Samboja Lodge offers modern facilities with an open restaurant serving traditional Indonesian meals. You will have a unique and adventurous learning experience, while staying in comfort.
The Lodge has two tower suites, two queen suites and 22 standard rooms. The choice is yours! All rooms have air conditioning, and mosquito netting. Staying in the tower suite is an unforgettable experience. High above the canopy you can enjoy spectacular views, even from your bathtub! The diversity of plant and animal life is stunning.
In the regenerating forest, treetops are festooned with vines and lianas, and branches are covered with ferns and orchids. There is a good chance that you will see the mouse-deer, wild pig, pangoline, porcupine and monitor lizard. Over 100 species of birds can be observed, including the melodious sooty-headed bulbul, the bright Temminck’s sunbird and the majestic black eagle. Also keep your eye out for the elusive water rail and the ravishing red minivet! When visiting small villages in the Samboja area, please respect the local Indonesian culture.
 It is essential (in public and also around the working areas of Samboja Lestari) to be conservatively dressed, particularly women. Women should dress as modestly as possible and wear a bra. Shoulders and stomac should be covered. Drink alcohol moderately and only smoke in specially designated areas.
Before entering a private home in Indonesia (or your Samboja Lodge room), it is customary to remove your shoes. Please show respect for the locals and their culture. Without their support, Samboja Lestari could not exist! |
|
A NEW WAY TO CONSERVE RAIN FOREST |
 The following information serves those who have an interest in joining our work during their stay. To create a shift in the current way of thinking, much help is still required. However, we firmly believe that if perceptions are to be changed, intelligent behaviour will follow. It is this change in behaviour that will preserve our planet. Deforestation is the most serious environmental threat facing most of the developing world.
Yet environmental issues tend to be lost on communities that live from subsistence farming and whose primary needs are food and shelter. Local farmers very often lead a difficult existence and will not be inhibited by too many principles if they can improve their income. Even if this is for a short-term period, often followed by poorer conditions than before. Some kind of more appropriate economic activity must replace current unsustainable practices.
Samboja Lodge is owned by the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation. Its primary role is orangutan care and rehabilitation. On an international level, a key purpose of the Samboja Lestari Project is the research and development of programs to conserve the most threatened wildlife of Borneo.
Another function of BOS Foundation is to demonstrate how conservation and management of a tropical rainforest can serve the needs of the planet as well as the needs of people. As we prosper, we serve as a financial and ecological model for our neighbours both near and far! Tick off over a hundred of bird species from the list that you find in your room and add new ones! Take great photos of slow loris, giant butterflies, spectacular flowers, or fantastic mushrooms Plant your own special tree as a lasting memory of your visit! |
 Of course Samboja Lestari is most known for its care of confiscated orangutans and sun bears. Facilities include a clinic, a nursery, forest schools, orangutan islands and bear enclosures. The main activity is to prepare the orangutans for release in their future protected habitats. Your stay at Samboja Lodge directly contributes to this rehabilitation, through a donation included in the price of your stay! The conservation of rainforests is undoubtedly critical to the health of our planet. We hope you will join in the fight to preserve the forests that remain or can be restored.
Join our own “Save our Nature” program to help save the rainforests of Borneo and to create awareness around the world. Activities include working at the tree nursery, planting trees, enrichment work for the orangutan and gibbon islands, maintenance of moats and banks, workshop for enrichment of the sunbear enclosures, making compost, and many more!
Final note. We take visitors regardless of their age, but you should be in a good physical condition to participate in our activities. We mainly offer walking tours and our trails can be quite challenging. In a tropical rainforest there is heavy rainfall every now and then, and sometimes lots of mud and mosquitoes! |
- walking boots or strong footwear
- rubber boots (for those that stay longer and work in the‘Save our Nature’ program)
- long trousers (2 pairs), preferably cotton-polyester work pants; blue jeans ‘never’ dry
- long-sleeved shirts, or light jackets for cool evenings
- T-shirts or short-sleeved shirts (3-4); light colors are preferable, as dark colours attract insects!
- rain gear - umbrella, poncho or raincoat
- hat and sunscreen /sun cream
- hair-drier (towels are available in the Lodge)
- sandals or flipflops to wear indoors (not on the trails!)
- flashlight or headlamp
- concentrated insect repellent* (Of course you can also purchase insect repellent locally!)
- binoculars, camera (think of flash or high-speed film - it can be very dark in the forest!)
- books and magazines to trade, or to leave in our library
* Place concentrated insect repellents (like DEET) in a tight container, as leaking DEET may damage cameras, clothing, etc. Your clothing should be suitable for mud and rain. We strongly advise against wearing shorts and open footwear to walk in the rainforest. Please remember that BOS Foundation follows a strict NO CONTACT POLICY with all the wildlife! Some areas at Samboja Lestari are restricted to public access. |
|
|
