Explore: North / Central Indonesia – Kalimantan

In English, the term Kalimantan refers to the Indonesian portion of the island of Borneo, while in Indonesian, the term “Kalimantan” refers to the whole island of Borneo.

The Indonesian territory makes up 73% of the island by area. The non-Indonesian parts of Borneo are of Brunei and East Malaysia, the latter comprising the states of Sabah and Sarawak.

Kalimantan is divided into five provinces: West Kalimantan (port Pontianak), Central Kalimantan (port Kumai), South Kalimantan (port Banjarmasin), East Kalimantan (port Samarinda) and North Kalimantan.

At the far west side of Kalimantan, clearance is one-stop-shopping near the town of Pemangkat (located northwest of the provincial capital of Pontianak) and convenient for boats working up the coast to Malaysian Borneo. Note that Singkawang immigration does not have the authority to handle clearance and will send you to Pemangkat.

Many cruisers visit Borneo to travel up the Kumai river in Kalimantan to visit the orangutan rehabilitation centres. All say, without exception, what an incredible experience it is and a true highlight of their time in Indonesia.