The Wilds of Borneo: Orangutans & Beyond

Originally posted February 4, 2025
Borneo is home to some of the world's oldest rainforests, sheltering an array of rare and endemic species, including orangutans. Expedition Leader Court Whelan introduces us to these and other wild species you’ll encounter on our Borneo adventures, including pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys and rhinoceros hornbills. Learn what’s in store on this tropical safari, from night walks in search of nocturnal creatures to a private tour of a sun bear rehabilitation center. Get Court’s packing list, plus learn all about our special Borneo Photo Expeditions, too!

South Asia is incredibly diverse, from its people and wildlife to its terrain, culture and cuisine. Want to experience as much of it as possible in one trip? Expedition Leaders Payal Mehta and Harsha Jayaramaiah share their advice for combining our South Asia adventures in India (where we track tigers in multiple national parks and snow leopards in the Himalayas), Nepal and Bhutan (home to Asian elephants, sloth bear and one-horned rhinos), and the islands of Sri Lanka (known for its large leopard population) and Borneo (where we encounter orangutans, pygmy elephants and proboscis monkeys).

Borneo -- the world's third-largest island -- has no shortage of subjects to pique a photographer's interest, from orangutans, sun bears and pygmy elephants to lush rain forests and mangrove swamps. But how do you go beyond simply documenting what you see to capturing the essence of a place? Expedition Leader and pro photographer Court Whelan shares his advice for revealing the mystique of Borneo, including how to photograph animals in trees, tips for perfecting your wildlife portraiture, and how to use exposure and color balance to convey mood.