Visit orangutans at Sepilok Borneo. I’ve always loved orangutans, and so seeing them was the main reason I booked flights to the remote South East Asian island of Borneo. While it is possible to see orangutans completely in the wild, it’s fairly rare and they will usually be really far away. Orangutans generally like to hang out at the top of trees and even build nests high up in the canopy to sleep in. They do occasionally come down to the ground, mainly if food is getting scarce in the trees. This means that the easiest way to guarantee an orangutan sighting is to visit a sanctuary. There are two main orangutan sanctuaries in Malaysian Borneo: Sepilok (see below) and Semenggoh (see my other post here). Read on for how to visit orangutans at Sepilok Borneo.
Remember to buy travel insurance for your trip. Receive a 5% discount on Heymondo travel insurance.
Why Visit the Orangutan Sanctuary at Sepilok?
If you visit the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre at Sepilok you’re much more likely to see an orangutan than in the wild. It is possible to see wild orangutans if you join a Kinabatangan river cruise, but if you are lucky enough to spot one, they’ll likely be quite far away!
Is the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre at Sepilok Ethical?
The Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre at Sepilok is a formal conservation project. It is endorsed by overseas conservation bodies such as Orangutan Appeal UK. Orangutans are critically endangered, and so need managed conservation projects to support them and to spread awareness about the threats they face.
The Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre at Sepilok was founded in 1964. It was the very first orangutan sanctuary of its kind in the entire world. The main goal of the centre is to rehabilitate orphaned and injured orangutans whenever possible so that they can be released back into the rainforest. However, it remains a safe home for any orangutans who cannot be released back into the wild. The centre is owned by the state Sabah Wildlife Department.
What to Expect When Visiting the Orangutan Sanctuary at Sepilok?
The Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre at Sepilok is open daily from 9am–12pm and again from 2pm–4pm. You are free to wander around the centre during this time, along wooden walkways through the jungle. The best way to see the orangutans is to head over to one of the feeding platforms for either the morning or afternoon feeding. Rangers will lay out a delicious feast of coconut, papaya, bananas and other healthy foods for the orangutans, who will swing by for a snack. Visitors can watch from a separate observation deck, so as not to disturb the orangutans. You are not allowed to touch or interact with the orangutans.
How do I get to the the Orangutan Sanctuary at Sepilok?
You can reach the Orangutan Sanctuary at Sepilok from the nearby town of Sandakan. Alternatively, there are some accommodation options in Sepilok itself. To get to the centre from Sandakan, there is a direct bus which is incredibly cheap. Or, you can just take a Grab, which shouldn’t cost too much, especially if you’re sharing with friends or other people from your accommodation. The drive takes about 30 minutes.
What Else is There to See in the Area?
The Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre at Sepilok is right next door to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC). You can easily visit them both on the same day. The Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) is also a short walk away.
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