Samboja Lestari, Orangutan and sun bear sanctuary in Balikpapan, Indonesia.
Samboja Lestari is a protected area near Balikpapan that cares for rehabilitated orangutans and sun bears across approximately 2,000 hectares. The grounds include a medical clinic, quarantine facilities, educational forest spaces, and an eco-lodge with 26 rooms of different types.
The sanctuary began in 2001 when the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation established it on damaged land through extensive replanting efforts. These efforts introduced around 740 tree species to the area over time.
The name Samboja Lestari means Samboja Forever, showing how local communities see this place as part of their commitment to protecting the environment for generations to come.
Guests can stay at the eco-lodge, which offers air-conditioned standard rooms, suites, and treetop bungalows with forest views. The different accommodation types let visitors experience the animal habitats in different ways.
The facility operates Forest Schools where orangutans learn the skills they need to survive on their own in the wild before possible release. These training programs show how important specialized learning is for animals returning to their natural homes.
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