Hi,
We decided to do a jungle trekking in Gunung Leuser National Park in Ketambe in Sumatra.
September 14, 2009 we arrived to Medan with AirAsia (from Kuala Lumpur). We stayed one night in hotel Ibunda (220 000 IDR per night) in Medan. In the morning we used a private taxi service (Toyota mini van) for 550 000 IDR to get to Ketambe. The journey took 8 hours. It was not so far, but the road was very demaged with many holes. Heavy rain caused worries if weather will be fine. We arrived in Ketambe at 8 p.m. and the driver dropped us at guesthouse Wisma Cinta Alam (where we planned to stay). The owner of the guesthouse and a guide Johan Sahbudin was at home. After delicious dinner we talked a lot about jungle trekking. We decided to do a jungle trek for 5 days to see some wildlife (especially orangutans). We spent a night in very clean and lovely bungalow (60 000 IDR per night). Next morning we were surprised with very beautiful scenery around the guesthouse. Johan introduced us his friend and our porter Rahmin (very nice guy) and after breakfast (banana pancake) we started our adventure. During next 5 days we saw 25 Orangutans (maybe we had a little bit of luck), 2 Gibbons, many Thomas leaf monkeys, and short and long tail Macaws. We were camping every night at a river to have water. Johan gave us tent and sleeping bags. Very interesting was camping at hot springs, where we had bathing and saw a python. In the jungle was raining every day from 4 p.m. but it never put out of humour.
Finally, we have to say that Johan is very friendly, nice and experienced guide who knows a lot about jungle life (animals, plants and behaviour in jungle). He is very experienced rafting guide as well and knows practically the rainforest in all north Sumatra.
If you are looking for the best guide for wildlife in north Sumatra, Johan is in a league of his own and we really recommend him!
contacts:
guide Johan: phone [--] email: [--]
private taxi service: Medan, street Jamin Ginting (depan Citra Garden), phone [--]
hotel Ibunda in Medan: Jl. Sisingamangaraja No.33, phone [--]
Regards,
Monika and Pavel