Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is one of the most widely known facilities in Malaysian Borneo and for good reason, it is a wonderful place that preserves the way of life for these beautiful creatures. It is located about 25km outside Sandakan, a city in the province of Sabah on the northeast side of Borneo. The facility was one of the highlights of my recent trip to Borneo despite not getting to see that many actual orangutans. I figure if you don't see many it means they are off living free in the compound and not locked in cages or habitats like so many zoos.
We only saw this one during the feeding hours but he was so graceful.
A little video of the feeding
How to Get There
When you arrive in Sandakan just about every hotel offers some sort of package to get you to the rehabilitation for a day tour but we opted for a cheaper option. The tour prices vary but with the entry cost and camera cost we decided to take a local bus (Bus #14) that cost us 5RM($1.5USD) each and left at 8:30am and had a few times when they returned to Sandakan in the afternoon. It was a quick ride and we got there in plenty of time to buy tickets and make our way to the feeding area.
It is important to note that the feeding times are at 10am and 3pm and this will be your best chance to actually see an orangutan or two.
The whole place has boardwalks that take you to all the different areas in the center.
The big crowd waiting for feeding time, however, most them were a part of tour packages and were led off by their guides before the lone orangutan came out to eat. I felt bad for a lot of them because I am guessing the tours they were on weren't cheap and they missed what they came to see.
About the Park
The park was opened in 1964 as a refuge for baby orangutans that were rescued from logging sites/hunting/poachers and they were taught to live in the wild on the massive park grounds. The park is over 10,000 acres and the orangutans are free to roam and live as they would in the wild until they are old enough to be set free. Orangutans are meant to be with their mother until they are 6 and many of the animals in the center need to be taught the skills for survival in the wild. There are between 60 and 80 orangutans living in the park at any given time.
A monkey resting on the rope.
Another shot of the fella who came to eat.
Breakfast time!
The Cost
I will list the costs associated with a visit below:
- Bus - 5RM/pax
- Entry to the park (Adults) - 5RM(locals)/30RM(foreigners)
- Entry to the park (Kids) - 2RM(locals)/15RM(foreigners)
- Camera Fee - 10RM/camera
A lot of places in Malaysia will charge a fee for you to bring in a camera to take pictures and this includes smartphones. It's a bit silly but they are the rules.
The orangutans didn't want to get up.
Another one of these beauties.
They are amazing animals
This is one of the Sun Bears from the neighboring rehabilitation facility
All in all, If you ever find yourself in Malaysian Borneo I highly recommend a visit to this facility, it was an amazing experience and I won't soon forget it. Thanks for reading!
