https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/about/contributors/morgan-hannah-petterssonMorgan Hannah Petterssonhttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southeast-asia/indonesia/guide-to-sulawesiSulawesi is one of the largest islands in the Indonesian archipelago, but it's often overlooked by travelers due to concerns about safety. Nomad Morgan offers her tips on exploring this misunderstood island. 2018-03-20T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southeast-asia/indonesia/guide-to-sulawesihttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#sulawesi">Dangers in Central Sulawesi</a></li> <li><a href="#safe">Safe places to go</a></li> <li><a href="#adventure">Adventure activities</a></li> <li><a href="#wildlife">Wildlife experiences</a></li> <li><a href="#cultural">Cultural encounters</a></li> <li><a href="#tan">Tana Toraja culture</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="sulawesi">Travel safety&nbsp;in Central Sulawesi</h2> <p>The long-standing political and social tension in Central Sulawesi has put&nbsp;travelers off visiting the entire island.&nbsp;<span>While tensions have calmed down recently,&nbsp;there is still a risk of sectarian violence. It's always important to check for up-to-date travel information prior to your departure and be aware of your surroundings, as the situation can change quickly.</span></p> <h2 id="safe">Safe places to visit</h2> <p>While Central Sulawesi might be unstable, the rest of the island is safe for travelers. In fact, as the 11^th largest island in the world, there are plenty of places to explore.</p> <p>Of the island's six provinces, the North, West, South and South East provinces of Sulawesi offer safe travel and stunning natural beauty.</p> <p>North Sulawesi is the perfect stepping stone to discovering wildlife on land and in the sea, while West Sulawesi offers&nbsp;the chance to experience traditional village life.</p> <p>South Sulawesi is the gateway to the famed Toraja highlands, where the predominatly Christian population still carry out traditional funeral rites, drawing thousands of tourists each year. South East Sulawesi, the most geographically remote province, will fulfill your fantasy of deserted tropical islands.&nbsp;</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/south-east-asia/ beach-in-sulawesi-istock.jpg" alt="A pristine beach on the island of Sulawesi." /><figcaption>Beach in Sulawesi. Photo credit: iStock.com/John Crux</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="adventure">Adventure activities</h2> <p>One of Sulawesi's biggest drawcards for many travelers is adventure. The city of Manado in North Sulawesi is the perfect base to explore the Minahasa Highlands, and&nbsp;<a href="/travel-insurance/activities/hiking-travel-insurance">to trek</a> the active volcanoes of Mount Lokon and Mount Empung.</p> <p>For some of the&nbsp;<a href="/travel-insurance/activities/scuba-diving-travel-insurance">best diving</a> in the world, there's the Bunaken National Park,&nbsp;in the coral triangle in North Sulawesi.</p> <p>Located off the south-eastern leg of Sulawesi, the Wakatobi National Marine Park is challenging to get to&nbsp;&ndash; you may have to travel by small plane, ferry and canoe&nbsp;&ndash; but it's worth it for the unspoiled reefs and almost deserted islands.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/south-east-asia/ wakatobi-national-marine-park-istock.jpg" alt="A coral reef in Wakatobi National Marine Park in Sulawesi, Indonesia." /> <figcaption>Wakatobi National Marine Park. Photo credit: iStock.com/Velvetfish</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="wildlife">Wildlife experiences</h2> <p>The Tangkoko National Park in North Sulawesi offers an authentic jungle experience. Here, you'll have the chance to spot wild tarsiers (super-cute primates) and the black-crested macaque.</p> <p>Many of the wildlife experiences in Sulawesi are only possible with a guide;&nbsp;it's important to always choose a reputable and&nbsp;<a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/ethical-safari-camp-wilderness-experience">ethical tour company</a> when visiting any nature sites in Sulawesi.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/south-east-asia/ tarsier-istock.jpg" alt="A wild Tarsier clings to a branch in North Sulawesi." /> <figcaption>Wild Tarsier. Photo credit: iStock.com/marcophotos</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="cultural">Cultural encounters</h2> <p>The Bugis are one of the largest ethnic groups in Indonesia and traditionally occupy the southern part of Sulawesi. Tied to the sea, the Buginese are&nbsp;known for their ocean travels and have settled along coastlines across Indonesia.</p> <p>For an insight into local life, visit some of the traditional Bugis villages, where the houses are still built on stilts over the water.</p> <h2 id="tan">Tana Toraja culture</h2> <p>One of the major cultural rituals that attracts visitors to Sulawesi is the&nbsp;funeral rites of the Torajan people in South Sulawesi. According to custom in Toraja, the dead are kept in mummified states in the house for years, while the family raises money for the burial.</p> <p>Funeral ceremonies are a big deal in Toraja, and are only held during the dry season months of June to September.</p> <p>A word of warning if you're planning on visiting Toraja during funeral season, as there's a mass slaughter of buffalos to accompany the dead into the afterlife.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/south-east-asia/ backpackers-torajan-village-istock.jpg" alt="Backpackers visiting a Torajan village in Sulawesi." /></figure> <figure><figcaption>Backpackers visiting a Torajan village. Photo credit: iStock.com/fbxx</figcaption></figure> <p></p>iStock.com/fbxx 0 A traditional Torajan village in South Sulawesi, Indonesia.https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/explore/southeast-asia/indonesia/guide-to-kalimantanFrom seeing orangutans in the wild to the famed cross-Borneo trek, here's how to plan your itinerary to this adventure lovers' dream. 2018-03-15T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/explore/southeast-asia/indonesia/guide-to-kalimantanhttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#orangutans">Where to see orangutans</a></li> <li><a href="#dayak">Meeting the Dayak Tribe</a></li> <li><a href="#sustainable">Sustainable tours in Kalimantan</a></li> <li><a href="#hiking">Hiking in Kalimantan</a></li> <li><a href="#derawan">The Derawan Islands</a></li> <li><a href="#palm">Palm oil impact</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="orangutans">Where to see orangutans</h2> <p>No trip to Kalimantan would be complete without glimpsing the orangutans in the wild. Without a doubt, the Tanjung Puting National Park in Central Kalimantan offers one of the best opportunities to see the primates at play.</p> <p>Board a <em>klotok</em> (a traditional wooden house boat) and make your way up the Sekonyer River to the famed Camp Leakey research camp, where you're almost guaranteed to see wild orangutans swinging through the trees.&nbsp;Working&nbsp;to protect and study the orangutans in their natural habitat, Camp Leakey is a highlight on&nbsp;any Kalimantan itinerary.&nbsp;</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/south-east-asia/traditional-riverboat-istock.jpg" alt="Traditional boat in Central Kalimantan." /> <figcaption>Traditional boat in Central Kalimantan. Photo Credit: iStock.com/Guenter Guni</figcaption></figure> <p><span>Other great alternatives are Gunung Palung National Park in West Kalimantan and Kutai National Park in East Kalimantan, both of which have populations of wild orangutans.&nbsp; </span></p> <p>You'll need to hire a guide in order to visit any of the national parks in Kalimantan. It's extremely important to remember that orangutans are wild animals and there should be zero interaction with them.&nbsp;</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/south-east-asia/ orangutan-kalimantan-1.jpg" alt="Orangutans in Kalimantan." /> <figcaption>Orangutans in Kalimantan. Photo credit: iStock.com/KatePhotographer</figcaption></figure> <p><span>As orangutans share 97% of the same DNA as humans, it's easy to pass on respiratory illnesses to them, so you should always keep your distance. For safety reasons, stay on the designated paths and visiting areas in the parks, and never eat food around orangutans or offer them any of yours. &nbsp;</span></p> <h2 id="dayak">Meeting the Dayak tribe</h2> <p>The indigenous people of Kalimantan are known as the Dayak, which encompasses many different tribal groups. Community is at the heart of the Dayak way of life and this is evident in the wooden longhouses that the Dayaks traditionally lived in.</p> <p>An entire community would live under the same roof and these longhouses, raised off the ground on wooden poles, can still be found throughout the island. The riverside town of Putussibau in West Kalimantan is the best place to travel upriver to spend time in authentic Dayak villages.</p> <p>Living in one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, it's no surprise that the Dayak have co-existed in harmony within the rainforest ecosystem. These custodians of the forest have a fierce reputation for being headhunters in the past, although thankfully this is one tradition that's no longer upheld.&nbsp;</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/south-east-asia/ dayak-tribe-village-istock.jpg" alt="A traditional Dayak village." /> <figcaption>Traditional Dayak village. Photo credit: iStock.com/rchphoto</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="sustainable">Sustainable tours in Kalimantan</h2> <p>Kalimantan is facing major exploitation of its natural resources, due to palm oil and mining. To do your part to protect the last remaining rainforests, it's important&nbsp;to always choose locally run,&nbsp;<a href="/responsible-travel/make-a-difference/participation/how-to-choose-an-ethical-tour-operator">ethical tour companies</a> that support the community.</p> <p>When venturing into the rainforest there shouldn't be any physical contact or interaction with the wildlife (including the orangutans), so steer clear of any tour operators that offer anything along those lines.&nbsp;</p> <h2 id="hiking">Hiking in Kalimantan</h2> <p>Kalimantan offers some <a href="/travel-insurance/activities/hiking-travel-insurance">great hikes</a>, including the famed cross-Borneo trek, for those wishing to unleash their inner explorer. Not for the faint hearted, this hike takes roughly 16 days covering 559 miles (900 km) from east to west, through the mountainous interior of the island.</p> <p>If you're seeking a less strenuous alternative, there are many other hikes through the Meratus Mountains in South Kalimantan and Merabu in East Kalimantan.</p> <p>It's important to be prepared for high humidity and temperatures, as well as leeches and mosquitoes, and to pack a good quality first aid kit as medical clinics can be hard to access.</p> <h2 id="derawan">The Derawan Islands</h2> <p>As the second largest island in the Indonesian archipelago, Kalimantan isn't short of beaches. If it's picture-perfect islands,&nbsp;clear waters and teeming marine life that you're after, then the Derawan islands off the coast of East Kalimantan are well worth a visit.</p> <p>Accessed by boat from the small town of Berau, the Derawan islands offer&nbsp;<a href="/travel-insurance/activities/scuba-diving-travel-insurance">great opportunities to dive</a> with manta rays, as well as a chance to spot nesting green turtles.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/south-east-asia/ derawan-islands-istock.jpg" alt="Diver with green sea turtle on Derawan islands." /> <figcaption>Diver with green sea turtle on Derawan islands. Photo credit: iStock.com/Fenkie Andreas</figcaption></figure> <h2 id="palm">Palm oil impact: how to make a difference</h2> <p>While wildlife encounters and rainforests are what draw most people to Kalimantan, there's almost a &lsquo;see it before it's gone&rsquo; mentality. Flying into Kalimantan, palm oil trees are planted in perfect rows and stretch as far as the eye can see.</p> <p>Deforestation has devastated the island's ecosystem, killing an estimated 100,000 orangutans since 1999, with thousands of orphaned orangutans being cared for at rescue centres across the island.</p> <p>Growing the ecotourism industry in Kalimantan is an important step towards protecting the rainforests, as it provides the local communities with an alternative source of income.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Explore/south-east-asia/ deforestated-field-istock.jpg" alt="Deforestated field in Borneo." /> <figcaption>Deforestated field in Borneo. Photo credit: iStock.com/robas</figcaption></figure> <p><span>If you&nbsp;<a href="/travel-insurance/activities/volunteering">wish to volunteer</a> during your time in Kalimantan, research local conservation organizations&nbsp;&ndash; there are plenty in need of help for projects such as tree planting, community outreach and education programs.&nbsp;</span></p> <p>By volunteering, you'll gain an inside look into daily Indonesian village life, have the privilege to intimately learn about orangutans, and see the local conversation efforts in action.</p>iStock.com/Chalabala 0 A hiker crosses a suspension bridge in Indonesian Borneo.