During our time in Sabah and Sarawak we visited the Orangutan Nature Parks. Both are similar but also different experiences. So definitely worth going to both if you want the best chance to see some wild Orangutan. Here are some of our top tips for visiting the Orangutan in Borneo.
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitaion Centre
Located on the outskirts of Sandakan, the centre has two different visiting times, morning and afternoon. It cost 30RM per person but you have access all day so can go to both feeding times.
We visited in the morning arriving at around 9.30am. At Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre they have different stages of rehabilitation. When Orangutan enter the outdoor nursery they aren’t allowed to roam freely until they learn some essential skills. They do still have a big area to explore and hide and get fed throughout the day. It was lovely to see the young Orangutan swing across the ropes however stood behind the glass viewing area it still felt less wild and more ‘zoo like’.
We walked back towards the main feeding platform and realised the food had been put out as we could see the long-tailed Macaques fly above us in the trees waiting their turn for the leftovers. The main feeding platform was very busy. One Orangutan sat munching on some fruit, she stayed a while and then swung off into the jungle. It was still amazing to see such a wild animal and no boundary between us and them.
These are wild animals so there is no telling if they will come at all to feed, like the locals say it is a good sign they are not all coming back as this means they are surviving successfully in the wild by themselves!
We had spoken to another couple who went back in the afternoon. They said it was much quieter and there seemed to be more Orangutan not only on the feeding platform but walking along the pathway.
Semmenggoh Orangutan National Park
We then visited the Semenggoh Orangutan National park. This was located approximately 30 minutes from Kuching centre, easily accessible via grab costing us 50RM.
Semenggoh was only 10RM per person for entry. They have a similar system in that they have morning and afternoon opening times.
We learned from our lessons the last time and decided to visit in the afternoon and it paid off! A buggy picks you up from the entrance and drives up into the jungle.
As we approached the main feeding area a long haired male Orangutan sat feeding on some sugar cane. It was incredible to see how big and hairy he was and watch him peel the bananas and pick up various fruit he fancied.
After a while the rangers informed us another two had come to another smaller feeding platform. A pregnant female and her four year old swung up and down the rope, it was magical to see.
Overall both centres where beautiful and there’s something so magical about wandering through the jungle seeing what you can spot. It definitely depends on the day and I’ll reiterate these are wild Orangutan no amount of calling or food can entice them if they don’t want to come!
We are obviously biased because our experience was better in terms of sighting in Semenggoh however both centres are brilliant and I love how they’ve protected these animals and helped them grow in the wild. There are lots of other cool things to do in Borneo, check out our 10 day travel itinerary to find out more!
Top Tip's!
- If you can, go in the afternoon! Both places where less busy in the afternoon and I think because of this the Orangutan are more comfortable to come out
- Don’t rely on seeing the Orangutan they don’t always come out, appreciate the surroundings try and find other wildlife there is lots to spot, make the most out of where you are!
- Be aware of fruiting season, it’s not something I knew about but we visited at the end of August and luckily fruiting season is still a bit early but between September and April there’s is lots of natural fruit in the wild this therefore means they often go weeks without seeing Orangutan as they don’t need to come and get food! This is a good thing but be aware when visiting to weigh up the decision to risk it or not!
- If you can go to both! I mean why not, both are brilliant, and double the chance of seeing something amazing!
