East Kalimantan is a province on the Indonesian part of Borneo, the island shared with Malaysia and Brunei. It is a large, sparsely settled region of tropical forest, rivers and plantations, and it makes a different kind of trip from Java or Bali: less a place for beaches and temples, more a place to see the land itself at work.
What the province is known for
The economy here rests on three main activities, and each shapes what a visitor sees:
- Coal mining, which has long been central to the province's economy, with mining sites and transport routes visible across much of the landscape.
- Palm oil plantations, whose neat rows of trees now cover large stretches of land.
- Tropical rainforest, which remains rich in wildlife, including orangutans.
Wildlife and the rainforest
The forests of East Kalimantan are among the reasons the region draws naturalists. Orangutans live in its tropical rainforests, and the wider biodiversity of the island is part of its appeal for anyone interested in wildlife. Visits to forest areas are best approached with a local guide who knows the terrain and its wildlife, and with a willingness to move slowly and listen.
Deciding whether to go
East Kalimantan suits travellers who want to see Borneo's natural landscape alongside the industries that shape it, and who are comfortable with a remote, working region rather than a polished tourist circuit. Its cities and towns serve as bases for trips into the forest and along the rivers. Those who prefer resort-style comforts or dense cultural sights may find that other parts of Indonesia offer more, but for wildlife and for a view of how Borneo's land is used today, the province has a clear pull.
