Malaysian Borneo – Visiting the Orangutans
Amanda and I used Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia as a jumping off point in the Malaysian state of Sabah to go see the orangutans and proboscis monkeys. After a six or seven hour bus ride, we arrived in Sandakan or Sepilok, we never could tell when we were in which town, checked into the lodge and made our plans for visiting the main attractions the next day.
The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center is one of only four orangutan rehabilitation centers in the world, and orangutans can only be found in Borneo and Sumatra (Indonesia). The rehabilitation center aims to help injured or orphaned orangutans eventually return back to the wild. They show a 20 minute video explaining what they do, and it was a lot more interesting than I expected. The center also has feedings twice a day, which is the main draw for tourists. The current price for non-Malaysians is RM 30 (about US$10) plus another RM 10 (about US$3) for cameras.
We arrived for the 10AM feeding (the second one is at 3PM) and found the viewing platform, and we eventually saw about six or seven orangutans, more than we anticipated. I took so many pictures, I had to stop and clear off older pictures from my memory card. Here are some of my favorites:
You might also enjoy:
- How Much We Spent Traveling in Southeast Asia for Two Months
- How Much We Spent Traveling in Malaysia
- Malaysian Borneo – Visiting the Proboscis Monkeys
November 23, 2011 @ 8:47 PM
Aww this looks like fun and they look so damn adorable! I didn’t know orangutans can only be found there. Hmm we learn something every day!
November 23, 2011 @ 10:48 PM
Yep, orangutans can be found on Borneo and the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. It was really fun!
November 23, 2011 @ 9:22 PM
Oh my gosh I have wanted to go and see the orangutans for years. I was actually supposed to go to Borneo and see them a couple of years ago and it ended up falling through. I really hope to be able to see them next year, though. Cute photos.
November 23, 2011 @ 10:48 PM
I hope you make it there this time, they were really cool to see!
November 23, 2011 @ 11:09 PM
Those teeth are scary!!! Looks like a beautiful experience!
November 23, 2011 @ 11:43 PM
It was really fun, so glad we got to go see them!
November 24, 2011 @ 8:18 AM
I just went to the Semenggoh Rehabilitation Centre YESTERDAY here in Kuching!
Although there are still a number of problems created when orangutans are in these sort of centres (inbreeding, shorter periods between pregnancy, uh, laziness), the centers are having some MAJOR successes.
Can’t wait to read about more of your Borneo adventures!
November 24, 2011 @ 2:09 PM
I’m sure there are problems with these centers, as much as they are doing some great things. They did tell us that they feed the orangutans bland food to encourage them to go out and look for their own more tasty food, so hopefully that helps a little with the laziness. Thanks for the comment!
November 24, 2011 @ 2:46 PM
These pictures of Orangutans in their natural habitat are beautiful. It’s just a shame that so much land where they live is being cleared simply so that companies the world over can get access to cheap palm oil. There are moves afoot here in Australia to put in a ban on palm oil but to my knowledge it’s yet to go through.
Seeing that you like the Orangutans it may pay to check out the website for the Zoos that are in and around Melbourne. The site is http://www.zoo.org.au . There are three Zoos in and around Melbourne – The Royal Melbourne Zoo in Royal Park which is really easy to get to from the city, Healesville Sanctuary which is an hour to the north east of Melbourne by car and the Werribee Open Range Zoo about an hour’s drive west from the centre of Melbourne which in the last two weeks has just opened a brand new exhibit called Gorillas Calling where behind a huge glass panel you can experience the Gorillas up close and personal. I’ve been to all three at some stage but it’s been well over a decade since I’ve been to either of them. They’ve changed a lot in that time but the website goes in depth as to what is there and what you can expect.
November 24, 2011 @ 5:34 PM
Thanks Matthew! I’ll add these to my list of potential things to do in Melbourne! (Are you sure you don’t work for the Melbourne tourist board or something? 🙂 J/K)
November 25, 2011 @ 4:41 AM
I remember the first time I saw the word “orangutan”. I marched right up to my mother and asked her what and “orangootin” was. Nearly 2 decades later she still brings that up. Also that 3rd pic is like WOH! TMI! Good post!
November 25, 2011 @ 11:12 AM
Ha! You think that picture is TMI, just wait for my next post!
November 29, 2011 @ 12:49 PM
I’m beyond jealous of you, orangutans AND Proboscis monkeys? I would have taken a ton of pictures as well. I’ve always wanted to visit the orangutan sanctuary and volunteer there for a few weeks. Hope to make it happen at some point.
November 29, 2011 @ 2:31 PM
By far I took more pictures that day than any other. Volunteering there would be cool! Thanks Laurel!
November 30, 2011 @ 6:04 AM
Awesome photos… They’re SO cute! I was going to go to Borneo after the Philippines, but skipped it to go to Thailand. I’ll get there soon enough though 🙂
November 30, 2011 @ 11:10 AM
Yep, it’ll be there another time. Thanks Lauren!
November 30, 2011 @ 9:07 PM
Fantastic pictures! Borneo was one of the top places to visit on my list – I was dying to see the orangutans! I was finally able to go last spring and it was so worth it. I just found it so hard to explain to everyone how amazing it was to be so close to these furry orange creatures that are so similar us. Lucky you to see such a tiny baby one!
November 30, 2011 @ 9:25 PM
Thanks Shani! It really was a great experience, and I’m so happy I was able to go. I’m glad you made there too!
May 27, 2012 @ 12:39 PM
visit indonesia ,..you can find orang utan in borneo(kalimantan) and sumatra and don’t forget to visit komodo island and bali..
May 27, 2012 @ 7:12 PM
I did actually go to Bali, but didn’t have time to get to Sumatra or Komodo Island. Next time!
June 27, 2012 @ 12:06 PM
Love seeing all the orangutans, great post.
June 27, 2012 @ 3:10 PM
Thanks Matthew!