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Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Sepilok

4.2
#1 of 352 in Things to do in Sabah
Must see · Nature / Park · Hidden Gem · Wildlife Area
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Visit an important conservation project at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Opened in 1964, the center aims to rehabilitate orphaned baby orangutans rescued from logging sites, plantations, hunters, and homes, before releasing them into the wild. Set in a protected rainforest, the project lets you witness how they train the young orangutans to survive in their natural habitat, swinging on climbing frames, being fed, and monkeying around. Walk the wooden pathways and bridges through the surrounding nature reserve to see mature orangutans back in their natural environment after rehabilitation and release. Using our custom trip planner, Sepilok attractions like Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre can form part of a personalized travel itinerary.
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Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre reviews

TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
4,300 reviews
Google
4.5
TripAdvisor
  • I really enjoyed visiting the sepilok orangutang centre. It was beautiful to see the orangutangs in the nursery section. The staff are doing an amazing job rehabilitating these youngsters. For the... 
    I really enjoyed visiting the sepilok orangutang centre. It was beautiful to see the orangutangs in the nursery section. The staff are doing an amazing job rehabilitating these youngsters. For the...  more »
  • It’s important to know that visiting the Sepilok orphanage isn’t the only place that you can see Orangutans in Borneo. Prior to travelling to Borneo I think I thought this would be the only time we... 
    It’s important to know that visiting the Sepilok orphanage isn’t the only place that you can see Orangutans in Borneo. Prior to travelling to Borneo I think I thought this would be the only time we...  more »
  • We visited Sandakan to experience nature tour. I enjoyed watching endangered animals roam freely in their natural habitat, including observing a feeding session at the Sepilok Orangutan... 
    We visited Sandakan to experience nature tour. I enjoyed watching endangered animals roam freely in their natural habitat, including observing a feeding session at the Sepilok Orangutan...  more »
Google
  • If you are staying in the area you have to come here. Lots of orangutans to see at feeding time. We stayed by the feeding platform after the feeding finished and the crowds dispersed and more orangutans came to visit and we had the place to ourselves. The price for entry was 30RM per person and it is cash only! The place is quite small so it’s easy to get around. You stick to the raised wooden walkways which can be slippy especially after rain so wear sensible shoes. The staff seemed really disengaged and quite unfriendly. Many were sat on their phones ignoring guests. There were areas of the nursery we wouldn’t have known we could go to without exploring ourselves and again all staff hiding behind a desk on their phones so no info. There are Covid rules still in place for the safety of the orangutans. You are expected to wear a mask at all times indoors and outdoors and there are some seemingly random areas taped off. Hopefully this will improve soon and the staff will get more used to having visitors again.
  • Basically guaranteed up close encounters with Orangutans. No fences, but felt safe with staff presence and all rehabilitated orangutans amidst the jungle on the walkways. Feeding times are a must! Did see one of them from the carpark though, just 10m away. Great information area too.
  • Great conservation project with great execution. This place rescues orangutans that have been displaced due to deforestation. Yes, this problem could have been avoided but kudos to the ORC for doing something. This isn't a zoo, the objective of this place is not for tourists to see orangutans. During feeding times though, if you're lucky, you'll see some - most from the nursery, sometimes wild ones from the area We saw one wild dominant male who must have smelled the food.
  • This is a beautiful and worth seeing place! The Orang utans are living in the wild and are free to do whatever they want. There are two feeding times a day (one in the morning and one in the afternoon at 3pm, but you have to be there at 2:15). It’s not guaranteed that the Orang utans are coming (which is actually a good sign but for you guys probably not) but we were lucky (as you can see on the pictures and videos). The entrance fee is 30 MYR per person and you’re not allowed to take any bags with you (even small ones), but you can lock them up in a locker.
  • Flew in from Kota Kinabalu for your with Borneo Eco-Tours. Great fun to watch the young orangutans at the nursery but, note your viewing is from behind glass. Then on to morning feeding time but no Orangutans appeared which is always a possibility. We did see a couple of adult Orangutans near the nursery. In our previous visit we did see over 20 Orangutans during feeding time. Do go & see these endangered animals.

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