Indonesia Wildlife Photography Expedition
Into Indonesia’s
Last Wild Frontier
The world’s most extraordinary wildlife is rarely found where luxury
exists.
Designed for photographers who value rare encounters over refined
comforts, this expedition journeys through three of Indonesia’s most
iconic wildlife sanctuaries.
Discover Indonesia through three extraordinary ecosystems, each
revealing a different face of the archipelago’s remarkable natural
heritage. From tracking wild Sumatran elephants beneath ancient
rainforest canopies to drifting along the rivers of Borneo in search of
orangutans, before concluding among Java’s volcanoes and untamed
savannahs, this is a journey designed for travellers who seek
experiences few will ever encounter
Accommodation throughout the expedition will be in carefully selected
ecolodges. While simple by design, they are the finest available in
these remote protected areas, placing you close to the wildlife while
supporting conservation and local communities.
This journey is an opportunity to photograph Indonesia’s last great
wildernesses and the extraordinary species that call them home.
Join wildlife photographer Kevin Dooley
Kevin Dooley is an award-winning Wildlife and Wedding Photographer who grew up in Placitas, New Mexico. At the age of 18, he enlisted into the Navy and served on an aircraft carrier. After he completed his service he returned to New Mexico and opened his own photography studio in Albuquerque which is still running 37 years later. His passion for wildlife photography and Africa, led him to his safari adventures and he eventually opened Idube Photo Safaris. Kevin is a certified FGASA (Field Guide Association of South Africa), Wildlife Guide, a PPA Master Photographer and takes guests from all over the world on amazing photographic safaris in Africa, Alaska, the Amazon, India and the Antarctic. He also teaches wildlife and wedding photography workshops
Journey Highlights
WAY KAMBAS – SUMATRA
Photograph wild Sumatran elephants, Siamang gibbons,
hornbills and vibrant tropical birdlife within one of
Indonesia’s oldest rainforests.
TANJUNG PUTING – BORNEO
Capture intimate encounters with wild orangutans,
proboscis monkeys and Borneo’s rich biodiversity, while
cruising the legendary Sekonyer River aboard a private
klotok boat.
Welcome to Indonesia
Day 1 – 16 June 2027
Your expedition begins upon arrival in Jakarta, Indonesia’s vibrant
capital and the gateway to one of the world’s richest natural
landscapes.
After a warm welcome by our representative, transfer privately to your
hotel near the airport, where the remainder of the afternoon is yours to
unwind following your international journey.
This evening, meet your Expedition Leader and fellow travellers for a
welcome dinner.
Over the coming two weeks, you’ll explore three of Indonesia’s most
remarkable ecosystems, from the ancient rainforests of Sumatra and
the winding rivers of Borneo to the volcanic landscapes and sweeping
savannahs of East Java. Your Expedition Leader will introduce the
journey ahead, including its wildlife, photographic opportunities and
conservation stories.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Sheraton Bandara
Into Sumatra’s Wild Heart
Day 2 – 17 June 2027
Fly to Bandar Lampung in southern Sumatra, where bustling cities
soon give way to dense rainforest and fertile wetlands. Continue
overland to Way Kambas National Park, one of Southeast Asia’s most
important refuges for the critically endangered Sumatran elephant and
a sanctuary for an extraordinary variety of birds, primates and other
native wildlife.
After settling into Satwa Elephant Ecolodge, join your local naturalist
for an afternoon exploration of the Rawa Kidang wetlands. As the light
softens, colourful kingfishers dart across the marshes, raptors circle
overhead and long-tailed macaques emerge along the forest edge,
offering a memorable introduction to Sumatra’s remarkable
biodiversity.
After dinner, venture into the rainforest on a guided night walk.
Beneath the forest canopy, torchlight reveals tree frogs, geckos,
praying mantises and a fascinating array of nocturnal creatures rarely
seen during daylight hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Satwa Elephant Ecolodge
Dawn Chorus and
Life Along the River
Day 3 – 18 June 2027
Before sunrise, venture into the forest as Way Kambas awakens to a
chorus of bird calls and distant primate song. Mist lingers among
towering rainforest trees while Siamang gibbons echo through the
canopy, marking the start of another day in this protected landscape.
With your Expedition Leader and naturalist, explore carefully selected
birding areas where hornbills, kingfishers and other endemic species
emerge in soft morning light.
This afternoon, continue to Way Kanan for a private river safari. Glide
quietly along still waterways, observing monitor lizards, riverbank birdlife
and primates in the canopy. As day fades, remain watchful—wild
Sumatran elephants may emerge at the forest edge to drink..
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Satwa Elephant Ecolodge
Following the Giants
Day 4 – 19 June 2027
Today’s exploration takes you deeper into Way Kambas in search
of one of Indonesia’s most iconic and endangered species. Begin
with a gentle journey along the Way Bungur River, where still
waters reveal a quieter side of the park. The riverbanks often
reward patient observation with sightings of waterbirds, reptiles
and primates moving through dense vegetation.
Later, venture into the rainforest on foot with experienced local
trackers whose knowledge has been passed down through
generations. As you learn to read subtle signs—footprints, broken
branches and feeding marks—you gain a deeper understanding of
the critically endangered Sumatran elephant.
As evening falls, return to the lodge for a final night surrounded by
the sounds of the rainforest.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Satwa Elephant Ecolodge
Into the Realm of the Orangutan
Day 5- 20 June 2027
Bid farewell to Sumatra as you travel to Bandar Lampung Airport for
your flight to Pangkalan Bun, gateway to one of Indonesia’s most
remarkable rainforest ecosystems. Upon arrival, continue to Kumai
Harbour, where your private klotok awaits.
Step aboard and settle into the gentle rhythm of river life as you
cruise along the Sekonyer River. Dense rainforest lines both banks,
where proboscis monkeys gather in the treetops, hornbills sweep
overhead and monitor lizards bask along the shoreline.
Arrive at Rimba Ecolodge in the late afternoon and settle into your
rainforest retreat. As evening falls, the sounds of the forest signal the
beginning of your exploration into the heart of Borneo.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation : Rimba Ecolodge
Camp Leakey –
Among the Forest People
Day 6- 21 June 2027
Set out early this morning as the rainforest comes alive with
birdsong and the first rays of sunlight filter through the canopy.
Cruise deep into Tanjung Puting National Park towards the
legendary Camp Leakey, one of the world’s most important
orangutan research and conservation centres. The journey itself is
every bit as rewarding as the destination, with constant
opportunities to photograph wildlife along the riverbanks.
Spend time exploring the surrounding rainforest before observing
orangutans within their protected habitat, gaining a deeper
appreciation for one of our closest living relatives.
Return to the lodge through the warm afternoon light, watching the
forest reveal new wildlife around every corner.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner,
Accommodation: Rimba Ecolodge
Golden Light
Along the Sekonyer River
Day 7 – 22 June 2027
Rise before dawn as morning mist drifts across the Sekonyer
River. In the soft light of daybreak, cruise to Pondok Tanggui,
where orangutans are often seen descending from the canopy to
forage, offering exceptional opportunities to observe their natural
behaviour.
Beyond the orangutans, the rainforest reveals another side of
Borneo. Proboscis monkeys gather along the riverbanks, hornbills
glide overhead and crocodiles bask quietly at the water’s edge.
After a leisurely afternoon at the lodge, return to the river as the
day draws to a close. Bathed in warm golden light, the rainforest
comes alive once more, creating a memorable finale to another
day in Borneo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Rimba Ecolodge
Hidden World of the Blackwater
Forest
Day 8 – 23 June 2027
Discover one of Tanjung Puting’s most tranquil and least explored
landscapes as you exchange your klotok for a traditional canoe. Glide
silently through the park’s blackwater forest, where still waters mirror
the surrounding rainforest and quiet wildlife encounters unfold along
the way.
Continue on foot through Sungai Buluh, where your Expedition Leader
reveals the rainforest’s smaller wonders. Orchids cling to ancient
trees, colourful fungi emerge from fallen logs, while insects, reptiles
and amphibians thrive beneath the forest canopy.
Later, visit Tanjung Harapan Orangutan Station before returning to the
lodge. After dinner, set out on a guided night walk in search of
geckos, slow lorises, frogs and other nocturnal wildlife.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Rimba Ecolodge
.
Returning to Camp Leakey
Day 9 – 24 June 2027
Wildlife photography rewards patience.
Return to Camp Leakey for a final visit, where familiar
surroundings reveal new perspectives. Changing light and the
ever-shifting rhythm of the rainforest create fresh opportunities to
observe orangutans as they move through the canopy, forage for
food and interact with one another.
With a deeper understanding of their behaviour, you’ll notice
details that may have been missed during your first visit. Mothers
guide their young through the trees, juveniles explore their
surroundings and dominant males make their presence known
across the forest.
After lunch aboard your private klotok, enjoy one final cruise along
the Sekonyer River before returning to the lodge for your last
evening in the heart of Borneo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Rimba Ecolodge
From Ancient Rainforest to
Home
Day 10 – 25 June 2027
Wake early for one final cruise along the Sekonyer River as morning
mist drifts above the water. The rainforest stirs with the first light of
day, as hornbills glide overhead and proboscis monkeys gather
among the riverside trees—a fitting farewell to Borneo.
After breakfast, disembark your klotok and transfer to Airport for your Journey home.
Safari Cost
Does not include international air, tipping, extra nights in hotels beyond the tour dates.
Indonesia add on Journey
From Ancient Rainforest to
Java’s Volcanoes
Day 10 – 25 June 2027
Wake early for one final cruise along the Sekonyer River as morning
mist drifts above the water. The rainforest stirs with the first light of
day, as hornbills glide overhead and proboscis monkeys gather
among the riverside trees—a fitting farewell to Borneo.
After breakfast, disembark your klotok and transfer to Pangkalan Bun
Airport for your flight to Surabaya. Continue overland to the Tengger
Highlands, where lush farmland and volcanic peaks replace the dense
rainforest of the past few days.
Arrive at Plataran Bromo by late afternoon. The cool mountain air
offers a refreshing change of pace as your Expedition Leader
prepares you for tomorrow’s sunrise over one of Indonesia’s most
iconic volcanic landscapes.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Plataran Bromo
Sunrise Above the Sea of Sand
Day 11- 26 June 2027
Long before dawn, travel by four-wheel drive to one of Indonesia’s
most celebrated viewpoints. As daylight breaks, Mount Bromo
emerges from a sea of mist, framed by the perfectly conical Mount
Batok and the distant peak of Semeru, Java’s highest volcano. As
the first rays of sunlight illuminate the Tengger Caldera, the volcanic
landscape is revealed in remarkable detail.
Descend across the Sea of Sand to the rim of Bromo’s active crater,
where wisps of volcanic steam rise from deep within the caldera.
After breakfast, continue east through Java’s fertile countryside,
passing coffee plantations, traditional villages and volcanic
landscapes before arriving at Dialoog Banyuwangi. Relax this
evening in preparation for tomorrow’s exploration of Baluran National
Park.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Dialoog Banyuwangi
Exploring Baluran National Park
Day 12 – 27 June 2027
Enter Baluran National Park, where Java reveals an entirely different
landscape. Known as the “Little Africa of Java,
” the park unfolds in
sweeping savannah, acacia woodland and seasonal wetlands, framed
by the distant silhouette of Mount Baluran.
As the morning light strengthens, search for Javan deer grazing
across open plains, wild buffalo near waterholes, and macaques
moving through scattered trees. Raptors circle overhead while, with
luck, the elusive Green Peafowl may cross the grasslands in flight.
By afternoon, the savannah softens in colour, offering wide, open
perspectives across one of Java’s most distinctive ecosystems before
returning to Banyuwangi.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Dialoog Banyuwangi
The Changing Light of Baluran
Day 13 – 28 June 2027
Return to Baluran for a deeper exploration of its open landscapes.
With familiarity comes a different rhythm, as early light reveals
movement across the plains.
Javan deer emerge from woodland edges, buffalo gather near
seasonal water, and macaques move between acacia stands. The
Green Peafowl remains a quiet presence across the grasslands,
often revealed in fleeting moments.
As the day unfolds, shifting light transforms the savannah once
more, revealing new perspectives of this remarkable protected
landscape before returning to Banyuwangi.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Dialoog Banyuwangi
The Green Peafowl at Alas
Purwo
Day 14 – 29 June 2027
Leave before dawn for Alas Purwo National Park, one of Java’s oldest
and most sacred forests. Evergreen woodland opens into grazing
clearings and coastal edges, where the day’s focus awaits—the
Green Peafowl.
In the soft morning light, males are often seen displaying their
iridescent plumage, one of Java’s most striking wildlife encounters.
The forest also supports Javan leaf monkeys, barking deer and
junglefowl.
By afternoon, the forest quietens, offering time to reflect on the
journey from Sumatra’s rainforests to Borneo’s rivers and Java’s
savannahs before returning to Banyuwangi.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Dialoog Banyuwangi
Until the Next Journey
Day 15 – 30 June 2027
After breakfast, transfer to Banyuwangi Airport for your flight to
Jakarta and onward international connection. Alternatively, cross by
ferry to Bali and depart via Ngurah Rai International Airport.
As the journey concludes, reflect on fifteen days across Indonesia’s
most diverse ecosystems—from rainforest and river to volcano and
savannah—each revealing a distinct expression of the archipelago’s
natural world.
You depart with lasting impressions shaped by landscapes, wildlife
and the quiet rhythm of exploration across Indonesia’s wild heart.
Meals: Breakfast