Sepilok Orangutan and Sun Bear Sanctuary
Visit the famous Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Here you will have a chance to see successfully rehabilitated orangutans coming to feeding platforms, and perhaps even juvenile orangutans during one of their daily training sessions.
Area
Borneo
Type
Wildlife & Nature
Grade
Standard
Who
Adults
Teens
Young Kids
Difficulty
Leisurely
Duration
Half Day
The centre was founded in 1964, and provides medical care, rehabilitation and a safe area for orphaned, injured or previously captive orangutans. The reserve is 43 square kilometres, and currently home to 60 to 80 orangutans.
Feeding times are at 10am and 3pm, but we suggest arriving before these times in order to watch the presentation video on the centre's work. Sightings cannot be guaranteed, even at feeding times, however this is good news, as it means the rehabilitation programmes have been successful, and the orangutans are searching for their own food.
The outdoor nursery is open from 9am to 11am, and from 2.30pm to 4pm. This is where the juvenile orangutans are given the training to prepare them for being released into the reserve. Watching them learn to climb on ropes and trees is a wonderful experience. Please note that if it is raining, the orangutans may have to be kept indoors to prevent the spread of soil or water-borne diseases.
The Sun Bear Sanctuary is next door to Sepilok, and its aims are the same; to rescue and rehabilitate. The Sun Bear is the world’s smallest bear, and it can be found throughout Asia, although predominantly in Borneo. The species is currently under severe threat due to habitat destruction, the illegal pet trade and hunting (bear gall bladders are often still used in traditional medicines, despite no scientific proof of their effectiveness).
At the centre, visitors can walk along raised platforms through the jungle. Sun bears are excellent climbers, and so you may see them on the ground or up in the trees.
Tours Featuring This Experience
Be inspired by the itineraries below which include this experience and let our travel specialists craft a bespoke luxury holiday for you.
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View TourUltimate Borneo
A journey through the heart of Malaysian Borneo showcasing the very best this diverse country has to offer. Discover metropolitan Kuala Lumpur before exploring the dense Borneo Rainforest. See pygmy elephants and orangutans in the pristine Kinabatangan Wetlands area before enjoying some respite on one of Sabah's beautiful outer islands, Gaya Island.
Recommended Hotels Nearby
A selection of luxury hotel options in the area, handpicked and recommended by our travel specialists.
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View AccommodationBorneo Rainforest Lodge
Borneo Rainforest Lodge, located in Sabah, is one of the most luxurious of the lodges found in Borneo. This rather special lodge offers an off the beaten track wildlife experience in the heart of the Danum Valley, surrounded by primary rainforest.
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View AccommodationSepilok Nature Lodge
Sepilok Nature Resort is a simple property in Sabah, Borneo, within walking distance of the famous Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Only 30 minutes from Sandakan Airport, the resort is in a great location to start off any Borneo itinerary.
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View AccommodationBunga Raya Island Resort
Set on a picturesque island off the coast of Sabah in Borneo, Bunga Raya is a stunning and secluded island hideaway. Framed by a crescent of white sand beach in a tranquil bay, and backed by centuries-old virgin rainforest, Bunga Raya is rather special.
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View AccommodationAbai Jungle Lodge
Abai Jungle Lodge is located on the lush banks of the Kinabatangan River in Borneo. Built on stilts, and only reachable by boat, this simple but cosy lodge provides a fantastic base for spotting the wealth of wildlife that can be found in the area.
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View AccommodationMY Nature Resort
Basic but comfortable, MY Nature Resort is perfectly located for visiting the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre; often a highlight of any Borneo itinerary. The rainforest setting also provides great opportunities for wildlife spotting.
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View AccommodationKinabatangan Riverside Lodge
Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge is a laid back property set beside Sabah’s longest river. This eco-friendly lodge provides a simple but comfortable base for adventures along the river and into the rainforest, with some of Borneo's best wildlife-spotting.
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View AccommodationSukau Rainforest Lodge
Sukau Rainforest Lodge occupies a prime spot on the banks of the Kinabatangan River in Borneo. A National Geographic Unique Lodge, with excellent eco credentials, this is a fantastic base for wildlife spotting and exploring the surrounding area.
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View AccommodationShangri-La's Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu
The Shangri-La Rasa Ria is a luxurious resort located on a sandy beach on the coast of Sabah, Borneo. With a plethora of facilities and activities, including a Kids Club and golf course, this is a great option for both families and couples.
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View AccommodationGaya Island Resort
Gaya Island Resort is a luxurious retreat just off the coast of Kota Kinabulu in Borneo. Backed by lush green forest, and facing sandy shores and cerulean-blue sea, offering beautiful views towards Mt Kinabalu, this is an idyllic place to unwind.
More Experiences in This Area
Discover more things to do in the area and chat to our specialists about crafting these experiences into your tailor-made holiday.
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View ExperienceTabin - Dusk Drive
As the dusk sets in, venture out in the jeep to see if you can spot any of the reserve's daytime wildlife nesting down for the evening, or the nocturnal animals beginning to emerge to search for food and water.
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View ExperienceKinabatangan River - Afternoon River Cruise
In the late afternoon set off by boat to explore the Kinabatangan River. Enjoy the scenery as the sun sets, watching the colours change across the sky. You may be lucky enough to spot the fireflies begin to twinkle along the riverbanks as night falls.
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View ExperienceBorneo Rainforest Lodge - Canopy Walk
An adventure along Borneo Rainforest Lodge's canopy walk is often one of the highlights of a stay here. This suspended walkway is 300 metres long, and reaches 26 metres high at its peak, offering a different perspective into the rainforest.
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View ExperienceBorneo Rainforest Lodge - Rainforest Trek
Accompanied by your expert guide, trek through the pristine primary rainforest of the Danum Valley. This is one of the oldest rainforests in the world, filled with wonderful wildlife, astonishing plants, tumbling waterfalls and mysterious rock pools.
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View ExperienceSukau Rainforest Lodge - River Cruise
Take a cruise along the Kinabatangan River, keeping an eye out for the local wildlife, which can include crocodiles, proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, hornbills and sometimes even the elusive orangutan.
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View ExperienceTabin - Lipad Mud Volcano
During your stay at Tabin Wildlife Reserve, visit the Lipad Mud Volcano. This active volcano provides an important mineral salt lick for the many mammals and birds in the area.
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View ExperienceTabin - Early Morning Bird Walk
Early in the morning, set off for a walk to try and spot some of the wonderful birdlife that can be found around the Tabin Wildlife Reserve.
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View ExperienceTabin - Night Safari
After dinner, take an evening drive into the rainforest to try and spot some of the reserve's nocturnal wildlife. Away from the lights of the lodge, this is also a great opportunity for some stargazing.
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View ExperienceTabin - Lipad Waterfall
After breakfast, travel by vehicle to the 'core area' of the reserve, stopping off en route for some wildlife spotting and photography opportunities before starting your trek into the rainforest to visit the Lipad Waterfall.
Call us on +65 6028 0820 to start planning