Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
4.5
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- Mary STucker, GeorgiaAmazing Experience with OrangutansThe Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre was amazing. I had wanted to go for years. It was beyond my expectation. The orangutans are free to roam. I observed them being followed by security when they were walking on the railing of the boardwalk while visitors were present. It is their facility and we are guests. I plan on going again and bringing my whole family.Visited June 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 2 July 2024
- NormaroseLondon, United KingdomWorth it to hear about the great work being doneVery interesting learning about the rehabilitation of the orangutans and the work of the uk based charity in conjunction with the centre. Sadly no orangutans came for the platform feeding but it was nice to see some at the outdoor nursery and hear about their backgrounds and personalities. The centre is set within a beautiful rainforest and we were lucky to see one of the alpha males high in a tree not too far from the walkway - thankfully not too close! Arranged my trip with Azrien. He was great, courteous, on time, comfortable car and careful driver. He took good care of us, he wanted us to see everything he could show us and he also took some pictures and videos of us that we will keep as a wonderful memory of our journey. WhatsApp +60 13797 9018Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten 22 July 2024
- Elvira BCopenhagen, DenmarkThankful for rescuing and rehabilitation of these wonderful and beautiful animalsWe visited this center as part of a tour. We suggest that it could easily be done independently using GRAB for transfers. This would enable a larger donation directly to the center. We were privileged to also see an orangutan in its natural wild habitat. We are extremely grateful for the important work of this center but wish that the jungle could be a safer place for these beautiful animals. We saw orphans and grown orangutans on our visit. The place is amazing as there are no fences so the orangutans can move freely in the jungle environment which the center is placed. Information about the center was clear and helpful. S Homeless dogs roam the parking area but we understand that the vets from the sun eat center castrate male dogs, it would be wonderful if this was done on a national level to reduce more puppies being introduced to a life of neglect and suffering as well as their impact on the jungle.Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten 29 July 2024
- iestyn83Bromborough, United KingdomA must do when in BorneoWe visited the Orangutan Rehabilitation centre as part of our tour of Borneo. The rehabilitation centre is very interesting to visit, as well as the Sun Bear Centre over the road. It is very busy and can be crowded especially at feeding times Well worth a visit!Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 September 2024
- annminkyUnited StatesCute orangutans, you made my Day!Oh! So happy to see the orangutans again. I was here last year, and I returned to see them again. So playful and entertaining. I get to see the orphaned orangutans, so sad to know about their stories. The bigger ones, once again are just as silly while eating and dangling on the rope. As if they were performing in front of an audience. People during that day were laughing and cheering. This is one place to visit in Sabah. If you like orangutans like me, then come visit this place.Visited August 2024Travelled soloWritten 8 September 2024
- MichelleLondon, United KingdomVisit SandakanWe had a fantastic 3D2N trip in Sandakan! Our family of four (2 adults, 2 kids) flew from Kota Kinabalu and arrived early in the morning. Our driver, Christopher, picked us up and took us to the Sepilok Rehabilitation Center to see the orangutans. We also visited Labuk Bay to see Proboscis monkeys, Silver leaf monkeys, and Hornbills. After lunch, we explored the Borneo Sunbear Conservation Center and Rainforest Discovery Center. The next day, we enjoyed a river cruise on the Kinabatangan River, where we saw Pygmy elephants and a huge crocodile! Christopher was a great guide, and we highly recommend him. You can reach him via email or WhatsApp at +60168376629.Visited December 2024Travelled with familyWritten 30 November 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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InTheMomentManhattan
New York City, NY
Apr 2022
It was great to view the Orangutans up close at the Rehabilitation Centre. We saw quite a few orangutans including a hige alpha male during feeding time. At one point a female walk on the railing next to me. That was quite thirlling
Written 17 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris B
Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Mar 2020
We were staying 5 min from the centre. We were able to go in the morning for the first feeding session, go and visit the sun bears & return for the afternoon. It is well organized & good to see all the hard work they are doing to rehabilitate the orangutans. There are monitors throughout to control the walkways. Although a few times we came close to the orangutans the monitors were there to stop us walking too close. Well worth a visit.
Written 19 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelDooey
Melbourne, Australia
Dec 2022
A bit disappointing that you just walk out to the feed station & then there isn't really anything else to see or do. So you only need to get here at feeding time. Then you can't stay to do or see anything else. The orangutans turn up for about 20 minutes & then head back into the jungle. Cool to see them
Written 1 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BannedDE
San Francisco, California
Aug 2023 • Couples
We love Orang Utans, one of our closest relatives. Seeing them in the Wild on the Kinabatangan River cruise (or in Sumatera, Indonesia) is an unfortegable experience. Try to see them anywhere besides here because the crowds are like Disneyland on a holiday weekend. The mornings are the domain of the tour groups, bus after bus, van after van, disgorging huge groups.
We knew this in advance and thought the afternoons may be better. Nope. The parking lot was overflowing and parked cars lined the road in while others circled looking for a parking spot (mostly in vain).
Once inside, it was elbow to elbow like a Tokyo subway car at rush hour. At least the nursey is air conditioned on one side, although the windows have not been cleaned in months and there is excrement and dirt on the outside, handprints from all the small children on the inside. At least at the nursery there were a handful of young Orangs to view through the filthy glass.
The adult feeding platform is like the 16th level of Dante's Inferno. Several hundred people crammed in a pen like structure with no fans or breeze whatsoever. To say it is hot, sweaty, and smelly is an understatement. We always wear neck fans so we suffered less than the other 300+ people crammed in there, but we could not stand it for more than about 20 minutes.
One solitary and sullen looking orang showed up for the feeding at 10am. He sat on the platform and ate the huge pile of food while sitting. No playfulness, hanging from ropes etc like at the nursery.
The center says the small turnout (of Orang Utan) is a good sign that the population no longer needs the handout of food. Also, they'll say its fruit season so natures abundance is at peak. Fair dinkum as the Aussies like to say. Whatever the reason, coming here to see Orang Utan , to use my mom's favorite phrase, "the juice isn't worth the squeeze".
We knew this in advance and thought the afternoons may be better. Nope. The parking lot was overflowing and parked cars lined the road in while others circled looking for a parking spot (mostly in vain).
Once inside, it was elbow to elbow like a Tokyo subway car at rush hour. At least the nursey is air conditioned on one side, although the windows have not been cleaned in months and there is excrement and dirt on the outside, handprints from all the small children on the inside. At least at the nursery there were a handful of young Orangs to view through the filthy glass.
The adult feeding platform is like the 16th level of Dante's Inferno. Several hundred people crammed in a pen like structure with no fans or breeze whatsoever. To say it is hot, sweaty, and smelly is an understatement. We always wear neck fans so we suffered less than the other 300+ people crammed in there, but we could not stand it for more than about 20 minutes.
One solitary and sullen looking orang showed up for the feeding at 10am. He sat on the platform and ate the huge pile of food while sitting. No playfulness, hanging from ropes etc like at the nursery.
The center says the small turnout (of Orang Utan) is a good sign that the population no longer needs the handout of food. Also, they'll say its fruit season so natures abundance is at peak. Fair dinkum as the Aussies like to say. Whatever the reason, coming here to see Orang Utan , to use my mom's favorite phrase, "the juice isn't worth the squeeze".
Written 30 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rayontime
Singapore, Singapore
Jan 2023 • Family
A little disappointing that we were not able to visit the nursery. My understanding is that not many people get to see it so this means that after a 15 min video you go to a feeding platform and watch a few of these majestic creatures eating and then that’s about it.
Experiencing something like this at the Singapore zoo for example is so much better !
Experiencing something like this at the Singapore zoo for example is so much better !
Written 2 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christine B
Fordingbridge, UK
Feb 2020
Bit disappointed to be honest.
The feeding area looked/felt very contrived.
We were kept behind glass.
Photos were pretty rubbish.
You didn't see any of the nursery/training stuff which I was expecting.
The only highlights were when an orangutan appeared on the boardwalk - although the rangers were very quick to shoo everyone away as quickly as possible.
This was meant to be the highlight of my trip to Borneo but it just wasn't - shame really!
The feeding area looked/felt very contrived.
We were kept behind glass.
Photos were pretty rubbish.
You didn't see any of the nursery/training stuff which I was expecting.
The only highlights were when an orangutan appeared on the boardwalk - although the rangers were very quick to shoo everyone away as quickly as possible.
This was meant to be the highlight of my trip to Borneo but it just wasn't - shame really!
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IndySig
Indianapolis, IN
Jan 2024 • Couples
This should be the first place to visit when you arrive in Sepilok. Feedings are at 9:30 and 3:00. They are closed between 11-2. We bought our tickets in the morning and watched the juveniles and adults feedings. Home for a nap and back again for the afternoon feeding.
We also had multiple sightings of orangutans along the walks to the feedings. Don’t miss the video as it does a great job sharing lots of important info about the center and what they are doing to work with these beautiful animals.
We especially enjoyed talking with Tracy at the main center. She is passionate about her job and these animals.
Believe me, it will be the best 50mr that you will spend.
We also had multiple sightings of orangutans along the walks to the feedings. Don’t miss the video as it does a great job sharing lots of important info about the center and what they are doing to work with these beautiful animals.
We especially enjoyed talking with Tracy at the main center. She is passionate about her job and these animals.
Believe me, it will be the best 50mr that you will spend.
Written 19 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mar 2020
unique chance to see these amazing animals. for those wishing to photograph be aware that you will be lucky to see anything outside the nursery where the animals are protected behind oneway glass which gives a green tinge to photos. but well worth watching them eat and play.
Written 24 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Konrad M
Melbourne, Australia
Dec 2019
You can see orangutans outside very close up at the feeding platform depending on how many turn up in the morning or afternoon or from inside the nursery looking outside through glass windows where there were a lot more of them to see.
Easy to get to via a share taxi from central Sandakan for only 6MYR.
Don't need to join a tour.
Easy to get to via a share taxi from central Sandakan for only 6MYR.
Don't need to join a tour.
Written 31 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan B
Southampton, UK
Sept 2022
We were unlucky to visit when the nursery was shut for renovation, which was hugely disappointing as we didn't get to see the little ones. However, we enjoyed lovely views of the orangutans feeding, and one came onto the viewing platform within a few feet of us - that was amazing. Such a privilege to see these wonderful, endangered creatures at close quarters. A must do visit to support this important rehabilitation project.
Written 22 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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