The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The reserve staff will give a brief as to what to expect and do's and don't s. At the set time the staff will walk you to the platform next to feeding area. 0 Menu Home Borneo Destinations Map Tours Sarawak Sabah Brunei Sarawak & Sabah Close Tailormade Tailormade Tours Special Interest Tours Meetings & Incentives Private Tours School Trips You can check rates and availability of Kuchings Waterfront Hotel here. Visitors can then walk (20-30mins), cycle (10-15mins) or pay for an electric buggy (5mins) ride to the feeding platforms. What attractions are near Semenggoh Nature Reserve? There are two other orangutan sanctuaries in Borneo, the Matang Wildlife Centre in Sarawak and the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center in Sabah. The Rangers made a good effort to call, the orangutans a young adult showed up and ate some of the offerings he put on a nice show. He is also the only tour guide that specializes in the best local food around Kuching and incorporates visits to hidden gem restaurants into his trips. The main work of the Semenggoh orang utan rehabilitation center has moved to the Matang Reserve, which backs onto the Kubah National Park, however, Semenggoh is still open and its also accessible from Kuching via the free electric bus (which takes a VERY long time to get here!). This is also a great place for a little workout as you could walk all the way to the main feeding area or take the buggy ride if you feel like it. We were in luck because at the time of our visit, it was fruit season and the chance to actually see an orangutan was very slim. You can do that at Semenggoh, but why we be in such a hurry? It is a great place to see semi-wild orangutan. Attraction Semenggoh Nature Reserve Semenggoh Nature Reserve For over 20 years, the wardens at Semenggoh Nature Reserve have been training young orangutans, who had been orphaned or rescued from captivity, how to survive in the wild. We could see few Orangutans on our way jumping from tree to tree. We do not represent World Nomads. Kuching is a laid-back city with a cute waterfront and is the ideal place to base yourself for a couple of days of sightseeing. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. I was so lucky to have finally witnessed nature's amazing wonders even when it was raining when I got here. Feeding hours arent fixed anymore theyll feed the orangutans if they turn up earlier. It's here that you can see these semi-wild orangutans in the natural forest environment. What hotels are near Semenggoh Nature Reserve? Semenggoh feeding times are morning and afternoon. KUCHING KARL FROM SECRET SARAWAK ADVENTURES: If you are looking for a different experience aside from the regular tours then dont hesitate to contact Kuching Karl! The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Children aged between 6 and 17 cost 5 RM (foreigners) and 2 RM (Malaysians). The Nature Conservancy is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization (tax identification number 53-0242652) under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. * Tickets can only be purchased at the entrance. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. 1. You can only visit Semenggoh at any time during the day, and at the specific opening times of the Semenggoh nature reserve. Note that the information about the orangutans on the website is not up to date. Do note that in Sarawak, seats or located on the right side of the cars and driving happens on the left side of the road. Its been a pleasure to share one of our last wild moments in Borneo with the king of this area. We opted to take the electric buggy which saved us a 25 minute uphill walk in the early morning heat it was a wise decision, because as soon as we got there, they let people down for the first feeding, which was about a five minute walk down the path. The main work of this center has moved to the Matang Reserve, which backs onto the Kubah National Park, however, Semenggoh is still open and its also incredibly accessible from Kuching via public bus. Also, bring insect repellent and a fan/umbrella. We were very lucky as the day before the group didnt see any during the morning feed, however if you attend the morning feed and are unlucky you are plowed to come back in for the afternoon session. However, bird watching is also a known activity at the nature reserve, although the short opening time does limit such activity. Youll also need to arrive there at the right time since there are only two feeding sessions a day and you are not allowed into the park at any other time of the day. So grateful that three orang utans made an appearance and our trip wasnt wasted. While spotting wild orangutans is certainly possible in Borneo, especially around the Kinabatangan River in Sabah, there are also conservation projects in Borneo that focus on the rehabilitation of orangutans that have, for instance, been saved from the illegal pet trade or youngsters whos mother was killed. The nature reserve is open daily, including public holidays. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". If you are driving here yourself (and not following a tour bus), do consider adding on a ebuggy ticket. Do you want to receive my latest finds on conscious and sustainable travel directly to your inbox? Do you need to book in advance to visit Semenggoh Nature Reserve? According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Semenggoh Nature Reserve: Restaurants near Semenggoh Nature Reserve: Attractions near Semenggoh Nature Reserve: Semenggoh Nature Reserve, Kuching: Address, Phone Number, Semenggoh Nature Reserve Reviews: 4.5/5, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, Kuching 93000 Malaysia, This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. If you would like to enjoy Semenggoh Nature Reserve on an organized tour then there are a few local travel agencies that offer trips to the Orangutan Wildlife Center. We recommend booking Semenggoh Nature Reserve tours ahead of time to secure your spot. However, if a stay in a local kampung and hitchhiking your way to Semenggoh appeals more to you then drop a comment below or contact me through my contact page and I will let you know where we stayed! At certain times of the day, their caretakers will give them some extra pieces of fruit at the so-called feeding platforms. Anwar, the boss of Semenggoh Nature Reserve. The buggy costs 15 RM for foreign visitors and 10 RM for domestic tourists. Its mission is to conserve the natural places in Sarawak (they also protect other national parks in Sarawak), including the conservation of orangutans in the Semenggoh Nature Reserve. Its here that youll get a briefing about whats about to happen. Improve this listing Tours & experiences These are some recommended places to stay in Kuching: There you go! Come during feeding time, expect to walk since the road currently on renovation. We used this app a few times during our time in Kuching and, while the price for a ride is cheaper, we didnt experience any difference in the quality of the cars or the service from the drivers. We were warned that it was fruits season, meaning food were plentiful and the orang utan might not appear to eat the offered food. The price for a Maxim is cheaper but the interface of the app is less user-friendly. Ritchie is lured by the rangers, along the ground. I can see the real orang utan but only 1.. The afternoon feeding time is from 3 P.M. to 4 P.M. Explore different ways to experience this place. They are free to roam about so catching a glimpse of them is not guaranteed -- especially during the fruiting months after the rainy season. Subscribe here! A lot of travelers complain at Tripadvisor and other review sites that the animals at Matang Wildlife Centre are stressed and kept in cages. The buggy driver told us it was one minute away but I think he meant the entrance to the trail leading to the feeding area. ; For priority access, Members and their guests can use the Member entrance at . What's the best way to see Semenggoh Nature Reserve? If you are driving here yourself (and not following a tour bus), do consider adding on a ebuggy ticket. Hi I read that K6 brings us to semonggoh but Im waiting for the 1pm bus now but it hasnt seem to come. We were told that they do not adhere strictly to the feeding times (9am/3pm) and it depends on when the orang utan decides to appear. We saw an adult male, a mother and her baby, two juveniles and the alpha male. Weren't promised anything but we were lucky and saw a young adult and a mother carrying her baby. For the most recent routes and travel times check out the information at the bus station at the open-air market in Kuching. They suspect that Ritchie was fully rehabilitated and went back to the wild. Because of the limited options regarding public transportation in Sarawak, a lot of travelers opt to rent a car so they can easily reach natural attractions and off-the-beaten-path places. Tripadvisor gives a Travellers Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor. Get a price for a rental car in Malaysia here. Sarawak Cultural Village 3. The buggy brings to you a carpark near the main feeding area. From the age of six, the entrance fee is RM 5 for foreign children and RM 2 for Malaysian children. Is it better to visit in the morning or afternoon? This wildlife centre has a thriving population of healthy adolescent and young adult semi-wild Orangutans. Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, Kuching 93000 Malaysia Read Reviews of Semenggoh Nature Reserve Popular & up 26 5 stars 3 Pool 20 Luxury 2 Property types Resorts Hotels All-inclusives B&Bs & Inns +121 Show more View Vacation Rentals Amenities Free Wifi 50 Breakfast included20 Pool 20 Free parking 33 Show all Distance from 25+ mi The rescued orangutans get proper treatment at Semenggoh Wildlife Center before they start a rehabilitation program. Hi! As far as I know, there is only one bus/per day. Here you can spot semi-wild orangutans who occasionally swing down from the trees to get some food from their caretaker. Is that the correct bus? Seduku The grandmother of the orangutans is already 51 years old @ Semmenghoh Wildlife Center. If you are also visiting the state of Sabah, then head to either the Kinabatangan River area (its truly amazing, and our guide is here and you may get to see Orangutans in the wild). The Meritin Hotel is conveniently located near a busy area offering various tourist activities. It will take about 20 minutes and theres no need to rush. And they wont tell you until the end which direction youre going to. Just 20 kilometers south of Kuching, Semenggoh Nature Reserve is home to a colony of semi-wild orangutans who are trained and used to human encounters. See all 14 Semenggoh Nature Reserve tours on Tripadvisor, See all Semenggoh Nature Reserve experiences on Tripadvisor, View all hotels near Semenggoh Nature Reserve on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Semenggoh Nature Reserve on Tripadvisor, View all attractions near Semenggoh Nature Reserve on Tripadvisor, Hotels near Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Hotels near Institute of Teachers Education, Batu Lintang, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Kuching, Borneoartifact Asian Art, Antiques, Cultural artifacts, Semenggoh Nature Reserve: Tickets & Tours, Sarawak Cultural Village: Tickets & Tours, Kuching Wetlands National Park: Tickets & Tours, Jong's Crocodile Farm & Zoo: Tickets & Tours, Annah Rais Longhouse Adventure: Tickets & Tours, Semenggoh Nature Reserve Tours and Tickets, Natural Pool Horseback Riding Tour in Aruba, Celebrating Day of the Dead in Puebla Tour, Oxford, Stratford, Cotswolds & Warwick Castle Tour from London, Family-Friendly Ghost Tour in Chattanooga, 360 Lisbon: Helicopter Flight, Boat Trip & Old Town Walking, Whale Shark Swimming & Isla Mujeres Beach Visit. We were touring around Kuching and picked up a grab car early in the morning and made it out to the rehabilitation center around 915. Walked about 10 minutes to the feeding area/ platform, keep mobile on Silent mode and DO NOT open your bags to drink water or to snack. City/Town Shoreham State New York Country United States Continent North America Owned / managed by Semenggoh Nature Reserve, Borneo Unlike the regular zoo, the objective of Semenggoh is to reintroduce orangutans back into the wild. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Note: Only vehicles belonging to Park staff, Park contractors and visitors on official capacities/visiting dignitaries (Diplomatic Corps, police, ambulance) are allowed in the park. The rangers request that guests be quiet so as to not spook the orangutans that might be coming for breakfast. Purchasing a ticket in the morning means you can use this ticket for the afternoon feeding session as well. There are more reviews on the Kuching Hotel here. While the Orangutan Rehabilitation Center in Sepilok gets great reviews, the Matang wildlife centre receives quite the opposite. Were here, visiting Semenggoh, really because of Ritchie. We decided to take the walk to the feeding area, instead of the buggy. Just 20 kilometers south of Kuching, Semenggoh Nature Reserve is home to a colony of semi-wild orangutans who are trained and used to human encounters. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". In the feeding area Orangutans are fed an that day (4th May 2019) we had about 4 Orangutans which turned up for feed. As of July 2019, the K6 bus route no longer exists but you can take the 3A bus from Kuching to get to Semenggoh. If you need to rent a car in Malaysia we recommend Discover Cars for car hire. Additionally, if you take a taxi (or Grab) to Semenggoh from Kuching, then youll need to park up at the entrance and leave the car there. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Semenggoh Nature Reserve is also a habitat for rare flora and fauna, including the giant squirrel, pigmy squirrel, gibbons, and a variety of birds, making the nature reserve an ideal place for nature lovers. more. Its here that you can see these semi-wild orangutans in the natural forest environment. When we visited Semengghoh Nature Reserve, we were told at the ticket booth that we were in luch because the orangutans were already there, hanging around at the feeding platform. Unlike the Orangutan Rehab Center in Sepilok, theres little else to do here between feeding times, so its best to plan to arrive just as the center opens. Therefore you are not guaranteed to see any orangutans but going outside fruiting season your chances are much higher. We were able to catch this bus to Kuching from the road near Semenggoh since we arrived there too early for the afternoon feeding time. Lets dive into it! Some of this information is not valid anymore as of April 2023. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. While today the visiting hours at Semenggoh are from 8 am until 10 am and in the afternoon from 2 pm until 4 pm, the feeding hours are NOT fixed anymore. These buses also go to Bako National Park and Semenggoh Nature Reserve. Booking.com: For the best cheap guesthouses and homestays or small hotels, Hostelworld: To find the best hostels located in the cities. You can easily catch the bus to Semenggoh Nature Reserve with buses departing throughout the day from near Kuching Waterfront. All information presented here is presented at best effort. To get to Semenggoh from Kuching, you can take a tour, drive, take a taxi (or Grab), or take the local bus. Besides, visitors will also have an opportunity to interact with the orangutans as they will swing down from trees for a free hand out of fruits during feeding time from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. & 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Level 4, Plaza Aurora, Jalan McDougall, 93000 Kuching, Sarawak. In 2023 you should aim to visit Semenggoh either in the morning session (theyre open from 8 am until 10 am) or the afternoon session (open from 2 pm until 4 pm). How to Visit the Semenggoh Orangutan Rehab Centre in Borneo, How to Visit Semenggoh and See Orangutan from Kuching, Using Grab to go from Kuching to Semenggogh, Map of Bus Stop from Kuching to Semenggoh, Feeding times at Semenggoh Orang utan Rehabilitation Center, Final Words on Visiting Semenggoh from Kuching. I was told its best to go for the morning feeding just when the park opens. Borneo is, together with Sumatra, the only place in the world where these primates are found. The basics. Semenggoh also boast an arboretum, a fernery, forest nursery, seed bank, etho herb botanical garden, tropical orchard and much more. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Youre a star! Local travel Agents also run guided tours to Semenggoh. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Malaysia. The K6 (green) bus leaves from the bus stop on the corner of Jalan Masjid and Jalan Gertak, near the mosque. Thanks! This is definitely much busier than even the morning feeding session at Sepilok but also feels more disorganized. more. It leaves ON TIME, so youll need to be at the bus stop by this time, meaning that youll need to leave the feeding area before the Orangutans are likely done. If you have any questions, please drop them in the comments below! Together with Kuching site we will support the charity campaign called Semenggoh Wildlife Center. Required fields are marked *. Recognize that it will be hot and humid with walking required from the car park to the assembly area and probably deeper into the jungle. Fortunately, Kuching is an affordable place to explore but has plenty of resorts for those who aim for luxury and comfort. Very good friendly and knowledgeable wardens . Gigantic. It means that the orangutan can take care of himself on his own. If you dont want to walk, or if youre in a hurry, then you can take the electric buggy. And its well worth it. The 103 leaves Semenggoh at 8am, 10am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm sharp. Grab is taxi app that is very popular in Kuching and in other smaller cities around Sarawak. And when boarding you need to TELL THE DRIVE THAT YOU WANT TO GO TO SEMENGGOH. K6 will however not return to pick you up. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. We were told that they do not adhere strictly to the feeding times (9am/3pm) and it depends on when the orang utan decides to appear. In 2020, they won an award for being the best sustainable tourism program at the World Tourism Awards. Apparently a lot of food available in the forest at this time of the year so they don't always come to the feed station. The ticket office is right where the bus drops you off and tickets to enter Semenggoh cost 10 RM each (its 5 RM for domestic tourists.). Whether you choose to visit Semenggoh on a tour, drive or take the local bus here, its a super experience and one that you should miss. Is a guide compulsory or can individuals explore by themselves? About 30 mins on Grab out of Kuching. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. To return from Semenggoh to Kuching, the 103 leaves Semenggoh at 8 am, 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, and 4 pm. Over 20 orangutans live in forest within the Semenggoh nature reserve and they often return to the centre to receive supplemental feeding. The Semenggoh Nature Reserve is open every day. The slow folks managed to get to the front again (how does that happen?) This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. There were some inclines but nothing too strenuous. Full of waffle, repetitive, and if hed condensed it to 3 minutes rather than 15, it would have been more appropriate somehow in lengthening the message, he diluted it completely. Visiting Semenggoh is a completely different experience than seeing the Proboscis monkeys in Bako National Park, but it is definitely worth the trip! Heres how to visit Semenggoh Nature Reserve and everything you need to know to explore the Semenggoh Wildlife Center. This feeding area is where visitors can witness these endangered creatures. 16 Jul 2023 01:32:07 CHECK OUT MY FAVORITE SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL BACKPACK! It is also known as the Oran Utan Santuary. We were warned that it was fruits season, meaning food were plentiful and the orang utan might not appear to eat the offered food. Semenggoh Nature Reserve is a popular day trip destination from Kuching; excursions typically include hassle-free round-trip transfers and increase your chances of spotting wildlife by coinciding visits with feeding time. The Semenggoh Nature Reserve here in Kuching, is well known for its Orang Utan program. Semenggoh Nature Reserve 4.5 3,416 reviews #3 of 92 things to do in Kuching Nature & Wildlife Areas Visit website Call Write a review About Suggested duration 1-2 hours Features animals Learn more about animal welfare in tourism Suggest edits to improve what we show. On our way back, near the arrival area there was another group of Orangutans (these didn't turn up for feed) and it was possible for us to take pictures with them in the background at a distance. Semenggoh is open from 8 am until 10 am and from 2 pm until 4 pm. I have no idea when it begins. Even though the rooms are small, the beds are comfortable and the AC works great. During this program, the orangutans are trained in multiple ways. Most Sarawakians have their own car and will not be able to help you. A lot is dependent upon the child. The Kuching Hotel is a great choice for accommodation due to its value for money. Here were held back by a rope and more disorganization. Ill start with the easiest ways to go. The Waterfront Hotel has a fitness center, an infinity pool with a view, and a sauna. Copyright © 2023 Sarawak, More to Discover. You can also take the K6 bus, but only to GO to Semenggoh. Ritchie was 34 years old in 2015. Testament to the success of the program is a thriving population of healthy adolescent and young adult orang utans. A lot is dependent upon the child. Its somewhat undulating but not unpleasant walk on a tarmac road. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Please contact the event organizers to get the most current information.I also try my best to give credit to owners of photos used here, so if your photos are used without credit (or wrongly credited), kindly be in touch with me so that due credit can be given.