Sandakan Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Must-Do Experience,
Nature & Wildlife
The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, located near the town of Sandakan, is one of only four places in the world set up to preserve and protect orangutans.
Established in a corner of the Kabili-Sepilok rainforest reserve in 1964, the center has expanded in recent years as news of its work began to spread and the number of orphaned and abandoned orangutans continues to grow due to ongoing destruction of their natural habitat.
These endearing creatures, with their orange hair and intelligent eyes are cared for at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre until they are strong enough or old enough to return to live independently in the Borneo jungle.
A raised wooden walkway takes you to the observation deck where orangutans emerge from the rainforest to be fed by the rangers. The Sepilok center supplements their rainforest diet with two feeds at 10am and 3pm. While not all the orangutans make an appearance at feeding time, this is the best time to see them as they mostly roam free and unseen in the surrounding jungle.
Latest Reviews
Review by John H A, United Kingdom, October 2012
Doing what: Sandakan Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center Full-Day Trip from Kota Kinabalu
an excellent day trip for which we were provided with a driver and personal guide who was very knowledgable.. we saw orangutans as soon as we arrived at the rehabilitation centre and also on the feeding platform. te bhuddist temple was very well decorated internally and has a superb view of the town. we finished with the Sandakan Memorial Park which was very moving when reading about the treatment of the prisoners of the war in Japanese hands. all in all a very worthwhile trip and one that me and my wife thoroughly enjoyed
Review by Gavin T, July 2011
Doing what: Sandakan Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center Full-Day Trip from Kota Kinabalu
Brilliant trip. Not to be missed. Very informative with clear instructions at the sanctuary. Fantastic to see these beautiful animals in their own environment.
Review by anthony s, May 2011
Doing what: Sandakan Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center Full-Day Trip from Kota Kinabalu
Awesome. A great way to get up close and personal with the Orangutan's whilst also knowing that you are contributing to their rehabilitation. I went at feeding time and it was not in any way crowded. The logistics of getting to and from Sandakan and Sepilok were well organized. As a single traveler I had to pay a 100% supplement to be able to complete this tour. Expensive (for me) but well worth it, a great experience.
Practical Info
The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre also provides medical aid to other local wildlife species including; sun bears, gibbons, Sumatran rhinoceros and the occasional injured elephant.
The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is 25km (15.5mi) north of Sandakan.
