The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is an outstanding facility dedicated to the protection and preservation of Borneo’s iconic red apes. Located in Sabah, the center’s primary mission is to rehabilitate orangutans that have been injured, displaced due to deforestation, or rescued from the illegal pet trade.
To prepare these orphaned orangutans for a life back in the wild, the center maintains a nursery where they learn essential survival skills, such as climbing and foraging. The ultimate goal is their release back into the surrounding Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, where they can live independently and self-sufficiently.
Visitor Information and Logistics
The center is based in Sepilok, making it easy to visit. If you plan to stay overnight, there are several accommodation options within a one-mile radius of the facility, allowing for early morning arrivals. Alternatively, you can book one of the various day tours that offer round-trip transportation to the center if you prefer to stay in nearby Sandakan.
Many day trips also offer a combined itinerary that includes the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (which is right next door) and the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary. I highly recommend visiting all three to experience the full diversity of Sabah’s wildlife.
Feeding Sessions
The center hosts two supplementary feeding sessions daily at 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. These sessions provide additional food for released orangutans that may be struggling to find enough nourishment on their own in the forest.
Ideally, you shouldn’t see any orangutans at these times; a lack of visitors at the platform is a positive sign, indicating that the rehabilitated apes have become fully self-sufficient in the wild.
Fees and Rules
To help plan your visit, here are the current fees and guidelines:
- Entrance Fee: 50 MYR
- Camera Fee: An additional 10 MYR if you are bringing in a camera (excluding smartphones)
- Bags: No bags of any kind are allowed on the viewing platforms. You must store them in the locker facility near the entrance, where you will be provided with a key.
Tips for Viewing and Photography
The 10:00 AM feeding session is by far the most popular and draws large crowds. Because it takes about 5 to 10 minutes to walk from the entrance to the main viewing platform, it is highly recommended that you arrive early—around 9:30 AM—to secure a prime spot at the front of the platform for taking photos.
My Experience at the Platform
After walking down the boardwalk to the feeding platform, I waited for the keeper to distribute the food. After about five minutes, an orangutan slowly made his way across the ropes toward the platform. Once he sat down, the keeper handed him some food, and he began to eat.
Shortly after, a group of macaques descended upon the platform to indulge in the food as well. While the macaques are quick to take advantage of the easy meal, the feeding is primarily intended for the orangutans, as the macaques are already highly adept at surviving in the forest on their own.
The Nursery Experience
In addition to the main feeding platform, visitors can view younger orangutans in the outdoor nursery. The nursery viewing area is enclosed behind a large one-way glass window. While it still offers a wonderful opportunity to see the young orangutans playing and interacting, the platform experience is far superior as there is no glass barrier or shield between you and the animals. During my visit, there were three or four young orangutans active in the nursery.
Overall Assessment & Summary
My experience at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre was highly rewarding and enjoyable. Being able to get so close to these beautiful creatures without the intrusion of typical zoo barriers, fences, or cages is fantastic.
Seeing the orangutans in their natural forest habitat, where they are free to roam and return to the center as they please, is a very special feeling. The center is doing an incredible job of supporting the orangutan population, and if you are traveling to Borneo, visiting Sepilok is an absolute must.
