The Malaysia states of Sabah and Sarawak (also called East Malaysia) make up part of the island. Was this too good to be true? On one trip, a pod of Irrawaddy dolphins swam alongside our klotok. Jenna: travelling to Bali and/or Sabah with a small child is not difficult I think. Put simply, to see wild orangutans you need to journey further into the rainforest, away from the bigger tour groups. Greg Rodgers is a full-time, award-winning, location-independent travel writer, editor, and photographer. Snakes and leeches. A ranger calls out to announce feeding time and the trees soon shake as wild orangutans swing past you. It looks like you are having a simply wonderful trip and that the orangutan sanctuary is an unforgettable experience. So thick is the forest here (trees can grow to 70m high) that humans have never settled permanently, but perhaps thats why it is one of the best and most reliable locations for wildlife sightings, with recent studies putting the number of orangutans in the area at around 500. Whats maybe not quite so clear is where in Borneo? The best places to see orangutans according to our expert travel writer, Tamara Thiessen. Its so cool to see the orangutans in their natural habitat and theyre soooo adorable. 1. However, sightings should be regarded as a bonus, not a guaranteed experience. Here, they learn the survival skills needed for re-entry into the forest. These two charming and adorable creatures stole everyones hearts in an instant that was evident from the ooohs and aaahs. They were certainly excited! Each boat sat 12 people and had a driver who also served as a guide. I hope the rest of your trip is fantastic! Their DNA is 96.4% similar to that of humans, making them one of our closest relatives. Here you can join an organized safari with one-night accommodation in the forest. The region is also prone to occasional downpours, so bring a light waterproof jacket. 13 Jul 2023 08:30:00 Will attempt to visit Sepilok when I visit Sabah the next time =). The Sukau Rainforest Lodge has 2 accessible villas with boardwalks connecting all villas and facilities. |. Most people arrive on an early morning flight, go to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center and then proceed onward to their lodge or jungle trek. Perhaps we would be like Sues mother when she went on safari in India to see the tigers but never saw one. While there were a few eco-lodges along the Kinabatangan River, we were impressed with Borneo Eco Tours and Sukau Rainforest Lodge. Orangutans may be our closest relatives, not chimps at least if you believe a 2009 American study, which suggests that as well as sharing nearly 97% of our DNA with orangutans, we also share 28 physical characteristics. I would love to take this trip too. Sandakan Memorial Park is definitely worth a stop. The best way of seeing the apes is to take a day or overnight tour from Sandakan. Orangutans are primates which live only on the Southeast Asian islands of Borneo and Sumatra. The best place to see orangutans is in the wild, on their native islands of Borneo and Sumatra. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Orangutans, the island's most famous forest residents are only found in two areas of the world Borneo and the Indonesian island of Sumatra . By Air: Sandakan's busy airport (SDK) is just outside of the city; a taxi to town should cost around $10. Orangutan rehabilitation centres provide a safe haven for orphaned and injured orangutans to recover with a view to being released back into the wild. capital, Sandakan has precious little heritage infrastructure left; the city was flattened by bombs during World War II. There are approximately 11,000 wild orangutans in Sabah, compared with just 1,600 in Sarawak. here. It's a sign that these creatures can thrive in the wild. Whatever the case, orangutans are extraordinarily humanlike in their gestures. We were lucky to hear the squawks of hornbills and see a group of macaques high up in the trees. Borneo is an island divided into three countriesMalaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei. Thanks for the inspiration! The city is well-connected for enjoying the nature attractions around East Sabah; Sandakan is a frequent stopping point for travelers on their way to visit Samporna or dive at Sipadan. Come for feeding time and the world-class information centre. They make nests in trees to sleep and rest up in, between feasting on wild fruits. Support the local economy by using local tour groups. 1. Immersed in rainforest on Sabahs northeast coast on the lip of the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, lies the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre arguably Borneos most famous place to see orangutans. Water containers provide drinking water. An orangutan up in the trees eating. This is also one of the most leisurely ways to spot orangutans. As with any travel, speak to your doctor to get the most up to date medical advice. The threat to orangutans comes from many angles: illegal hunting and trading, habitat destruction for farmland and palm oil plantations, and encroaching humans. We went to the marina and hopped on the speed boat that would take us up the river to our eco-lodge. by Sue Davies | Jan 20, 2021 | Asia, Borneo, Malaysia | 0 comments. Flights, boats and 4x4s are par for the course but, despite the challenges in reaching your end destination, the rewards far outweigh the effort. We spotted beautiful, tiny kingfishers resting on low hanging branches by the rivers edge. The smells and sounds of the rainforest are around you gibbons calling and cicadas singing. Several nature lodges located along the river offer wildlife safaris in the early morning, afternoon and evening, guided by excellent boatmen and spotters. Created in 1999, this is one of only two places in the world inhabited by ten species of primates, including many orangutans and long-nosed, leaf-eating proboscis monkeys. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. There wasnt much action in the middle of the afternoon. We are not recommending that you travel to Borneo and that you follow the guidance from your local health departments. Trekking for hours and possibly seeing them or not. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. Visit local communities and use local guides Conservation and sustainable ecotourism relies on the participation of the local community. As with any wildlife trip, seeing orangutans in the wild is never guaranteed. The Borneo Big Five. You can stay at the nearby resort to catch the morning feeding. See orangutans (only found in Malaysia) in their natural habitat. Wildlife is present here year-round, though keep in mind March-April is the dry season. The 438sq/km Danum Valley protected forest reserve is one of the largest swathes of primary lowland dipterocarp rainforest in Borneo, set aside for wildlife conservation, research and education since the 1980s. Where to stay: Youll find no shortage of hotels around the city center; the selection caters to travelers of all budgets. One Week in Borneo: The Ultimate Itinerary, The Top 8 Things to Do in Malaysian Borneo. Or you can adopt one of the beautiful Orangutan babies who have sadly found themselves without a mother, and are being cared for and rehabilitated at the centre. Punishment can be up to 20 years in prison and include caning. Sabah is a stunning, wild state packed with adventure and natural beauty. In Borneo, orangutans are found in the two Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, and in Kalimantan on the Indonesian side of the island. But there are plenty of places to see orangutans in their natural habitat, too, as you trek through jungle or cruise along rivers for a real immersion into the orangutans' world. There are several daily flights in and out of Sandakan from Kota Kinabalu, Sabahs capital, and some flights from Kuala Lumpur. We make money by charging carefully-screened travel companies to list their business on our website. Orangutans at the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary in Sabah Malaysian Borneo's orangutan highlights Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Sabah The Lodge had hybrid electric/gas boats. Theres no hotel, instead you stay in a simple (though air-conditioned and en suite) chalet thats maintained by the forestry team. Sukau has a pool and other amenities. Thanks Melanie. Read more about how we work and what we believe in Expect to spend at least three to four days on a wild orangutan tour, staying either on a klotok boat or in rainforest lodges. Sitemap, Privacy Visitors are permitted to access the 43 square kilometre centre for the feeding times and can watch the orangutans play on ropes and in trees in the park. Reggie is deathly afraid of snakes and neither one of us was too excited about the leeches. There are other reasons for this: to rule out potential danger if the orangutan feels threatened, and to avoid the animals becoming too used to humans or developing bonds with them. Theres a healthy population of orangutans, as well as gibbons, sambars, macaques and pygmy elephants. The rooms here are as luxurious as youd hope to find in the heart of any rainforest. I just loved our trip to Sepilok. It was so much fun seeing this beautiful and amazingly flexible animal climb the trees, go into gravity-defying positions to reach the fruit to eat, and just go about life. The memorial tells their stories. Be wary of centres that promote direct contact with wildlife. Wildlife is present here year-round, though keep in mind March-April is the dry season, so there will be less rain. We were warned to guard our cameras, bags and sunglasses as the macaques are notorious snatchers. Starting from the Kumai river port in the central Kalimantan city of Pangkalan Bun, your guides will typically stop at three main feeding stations within the park, where you will get to experience semi-wild orangutans during feeding sessions. Suggested itineraries and routes to help you scratch beneath the surface, avoid the tourist traps, and plan an authentic, responsible and enjoyable journey. Visiting revolves around feeding times at the centre, but Sepilok also offers volunteer placements. If you visit Sabah, do make an effort to head to the Sanctuary. For instance, at home, would you be qualified to come into direct contact and work with wild animals? If traveling from Kota Kinabalu, ask the bus driver to drop you at Sepilok rather than Sandakan. The only other island where you can see orangutans in the wild is Indonesian Sumatra, which lies to Borneo's southwest. Which location is best for you to go see Orangutans? Camp Leakey Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre gives you the opportunity to see at close hand the orphaned and rescued orangutans in its care. It is a beautiful place. Looking skyward finally paid off. It takes about 3 and half hours to drive from Sandakan to Lahad Datu, and it's a further 2 hours to Tawau. You can either trek through the jungle or do the river cruise as we did. However, this is a much more immersive experience, involving cruising up a river on a klotok, staying with indigenous tribes and learning more about the rainforest. We wanted to see orangutans in the wild. The largest orangutan rehabilitation centre in the world, Sepilok cares for orphaned orangutans who buddy up with older apes to learn how to survive in the wild. One of the top things to do in Sabah. Sandakan The Gateway to the Kinabatangan River, Stop By The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center, See the Sun Bears at the Bornean Sun Bear Centre, Should We Travel? Due to persistent reports of unethical and poorly-managed programmes, Horizon Guides will no longer include any details of orangutan volunteer organisations. Thanks for your comment David. At least we didnt trip and fall since we were always looking skyward. We paid to take the 2.5-hour speed boat. Finally, Reggie found a solution. You can choose to adopt an orangutan before you visit the center, with a chance to see it when you arrive. I am one great ape short!! One for the adventurous. From there, a boardwalk leads through the rainforest to an orangutan playground, where from behind a glass observation window you can watch the centres youngest residents playing on swings and climbing and clambering around. Humidity in Borneos rainforest can reach up to 95% and it is very hot, so youll be sweating. I will add this to my to do list as well. Everyone experiences orangutan viewings and interactions in a different way. Consider spending a day in Sandakan. One of the top things to do in Sabah. Within a few steps, we caught our first glimpses of orangutans high up in the trees, hanging and swinging from branch to branch. Of the 3,000+ POWs held at the camp, all perished during forced death marches, torture and captivity. Your email address will not be published. This pristine rainforest was unreachable for decades. See baby orangutans nurtured back to health, watch them play in dipterocarp forest and even . I kind miss these guys too and thanks for sharing about the Orangutan Appeal. In addition to not being good for the environment, they were noisier and smelled. We would advise going in the early morning or evening. Nothing. Youll also see macaques and gibbons swing by for a bite to eat. Some come within an arms reach and may sit alongside you on the feeding platform, while others hang out further back in the trees. Logging in Borneo. Seeing orangutans in the wild is more difficult, but is also more exciting and more compelling. Entrance fee costs MYR 30 (US$ 7.30). There are only two places in the world to see orangutans in their natural habitat: the northern part of Sumatra in Indonesia or throughout the island of Borneo. Sadly, there are only two places in the world to see orangutans in their natural habitat: Borneo and Sumatra. Prepare for an adventure at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Sandakan. Mother and Baby in the nursery at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Sandakan Sabah Borneo. A visit to the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary begins with a video that chronicles the plight of the orangutans and the centres rehabilitation efforts. Night-time boat trips expose you to nocturnal wildlife, aided by a skilled guide and a powerful torch. Each day, the park rangers make their way to these platforms with buckets of fruit and milk. It is a more straightforward trip with fewer connections than going to Kalimantan to see the orangutans. Our advertisers have no influence on our editorial content and we never accept payment for positive coverage. . Only found in Asia, sun bears are endangered by deforestation and other environmental destruction. The 438sq/km Danum Valley protected forest reserve is one of the largest swathes of primary lowland dipterocarp rainforest in Borneo, set aside for wildlife conservation, research and education since the 1980s. Most travellers head to the many rehabilitation sanctuaries to see orangutans in Borneo and Sumatra. When booking with them, always mention this as one of your reasons for getting involved. Pygmy Elephants on the Kinabatangan River. Although, I loved the experience of sleeping out under the stars, listening to cicadas and waking to the splash of crocodiles in the water below. While you do not need any vaccinations to visit orangutans, humans can communicate certain diseases to orangutans and vice-versa, so contact is discouraged. On our first day, we didnt see any. Its quite the setting for seeing these animals play, swing and live among the treetops. Ive seen many tourists with small kids in both these places. Our travel guides are written by the leading experts in their destinations. travel careers website, Join our mailing list to receive the latest updates and travel inspiration, All prices are in USD unless otherwise stated, CST#2117258-40 | Fla. RM 170.00RM 180.00. While at Sepilok, its also worth visiting the neighbouring Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, for a look at the worlds smallest bear species (averaging 120-150cm in height). Get friendly, expert travel advice and custom itineraries from some of the worlds best tour operators, with no spam, pressure or commitment to book. At the time of our visit, the Lodge was undergoing a major renovation. What a fantastic visit!!!! The boats are not easily accessible by wheelchair. For conservation reasons, only part of the park is open to visitors. Whatever option you choose, its important to remember that the climate will play a big part in how physically fit you feel. Doing so encourages behaviour that is detrimental to their survival in the wild, Stay away if you feel ill Humans can be extremely contagious to orangutans and can transmit airborne diseases. Then, its onto the feeding platform, perched up in the trees about 25m from the viewing area. All promotions. Languidly moving around the tree branches. We also saw two millipedes mating, an unusual sighting, and a 12 foot long bright yellow/green snake (you cant go to Borneo without seeing at least one snake). Some people just go to the Sepilok Rehabilitation Center. Just next to the gorillas in Rwanda. I found it particularly exhilarating to track wildlife this way, anticipating an orangutan or elephant around the next corner. Depending on where else you choose to visit, you may need to take malaria tablets or have vaccinations. If youre itching to escape the usual orangutan-seekers trail, look to Deramakot Forest Reserve. +60 89 633 587; wildlife.sabah.gov.my; Share on . 2. Buses from Kota Kinabalu arrive at the bus terminal near Gentingmas Mall (Google Maps). It does offer a more rounded trip, though you could visit an Iban tribe, for instance. The experience is completely different from a rehab centre. There are day cruises from Sandakan, but highly unlikely that you will see orangutans. Buy leech socks and trek into the jungle anyway? As with the Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Sarawak, Sepilok has daily feeding times which allow tourists a better opportunity to see the orangutans. Considered to be the foremost place in the world to view highly-endangered orangutans, the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre receives more than 800 visitors a day. A male orangutan at Gunung Leuser National Park, Sumatra. Read more about how we work and what we believe in Sepilok (Sabah, Malaysian Borneo) The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is home to between 60 and 80 orangutans, including orphans, former captives and pets. A good indicator for a responsible voluntourism programme is whether or not you'll be expected to do work for which you're unqualified in your home country. With a population of just under 400,000 people, Sandakan is the Malaysian state of Sabah's second largest city. I first went to see wild orangutans in Sabah, Borneo, in 1999. We never take payment for positive coverage so you can count on us for impartial travel advice. an amazing experience & glad u shared it with us:). Then, we went on to the feeding stations where we saw a few orangutans. This will allow for the unpredictability of the experience to take its natural course. No tour company will be able to guarantee that youll see orangutans on your trip. Sabah is home to Borneos most iconic orangutan-spotting and rehabilitation centre, Sepilok, which draws thousands of tourists each year. Danum Valley protected forest reserve, home to an estimated 500 orangutans. Sepilok wasnt high on our list for visiting, but it came with the tour. It can take up to seven years for an orangutan to be released back into the wild. In Borneo, you'll find rehabilitation centres that adopt the orphaned and young so they can return to the jungle. Our guide, Joel, from Borneo Passages, told us that young orangutans often have a buddy and they help and guide one another until theyre confident enough to venture out alone. Journalist-travel writer and photographer, Tamara Thiessen is an expert on Borneo with her 4th edition Bradt Travel Guide to the island due in 2020. Thanks for your comment. Generally visitors to Sepilok are able to see orangutans during the scheduled 10:00am and 3:00pm feeding session at the platform. There, we met up with the tour guide and immediately drove to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center. Mother and baby orangutan in Gunung Leuser National Park. Remember that it is a privilege to see these animals at all and each experience will be different. The centerpiece of our trip was in the jungle, but we also spent a few days in Kota Kinabalu and saw some of the sights in Sandakan. Sandakan is frequently used as a base for animal lovers in search of endangered orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and even rhinoceroses on the muddy Sungai Kinabatangan. A series of boardwalks leads visitors from the Sepilok Visitor Centre into the primary forest where the orangutans live.