When I traveled to Sabah, Borneo I wanted to learn more about conservation efforts and what deforestation in Borneo looks like. You hear about deforestation and see images of it, but what’s the reality of deforestation and what is being done about it? That is what I wanted to find out on my own.  I asked licensed guides, went to wildlife conservation centres, and did my own research to find out the extent of deforestation in Borneo and want to share what I learned, what I saw, and what is being done to save Malaysia’s rainforests.  ** This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, whether it be Viator, Booking.com, Agoda, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Introduction to Borneo’s Rainforests Borneo’s rainforests are among the oldest and most biodiverse in the world. The rainforests in Borneo are home to many endemic species like the Proboscis Monkey and Bornean Orangutan.  The rainforests of Borneo span across three countries: Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Since the forests are so vast, they play a vital role in so much more then just providing a home to wildlife. These dense rainforests also play a role in regulating climate and support indigenous communities.  Unfortunately, Borneo has lost more than half of its natural rainforests due to rapid deforestation, logging, and human expansion.  But there is still hope, at least for the Malaysian side of Borneo.  What is Causing Deforestation in Borneo? Deforestation in Malaysian Borneo is primarily driven by palm oil plantations, logging, and land conversion because of agriculture and expansion.  Due to global demands for palm oil, large areas of rainforest in Borneo have been cleared.  Besides palm oil, illegal and legal logging and poorly managed concessions are huge factors in the accelerated forest loss which has a huge impact on local wildlife.  While conservation efforts are growing, deforestation in Malaysian Borneo is a huge issue and causes major environmental challenges.  Below are some of the factors that are contributing to deforestation in Borneo. Palm Oil Plantations Palm Oil itself is not bad or harmful. But it’s the production and palm oil industry that plays a role in the deforestation of Borneo’s rainforests.  In fact, palm trees that are used to extract palm oil aren’t even from Borneo. It’s not a native species.  I’ve seen movies, documentaries, and read about the palm oil industry. I thought I knew the extent of these plantations until I actually went to Borneo and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.  Driving from Sandakan to the Kinabatangan River. I saw palm oil plantations with palm trees as far as the eye could see. The palm oil plantations completely took over the natural rainforest. Every mountain, every valley, everywhere was palm trees. What is palm oil exactly? It’s a widely used vegetable oil extracted from the fruit of the palm trees. This oil is found in almost everything from food products to cosmetics. Next time you buy a product look at the ingredients, you might see palm oil listed.  Because palm oil is in such high demand, tropical rainforests to include rainforests in Borneo are being cleared to make way for palm oil plantations.  Logging Logging has always contributed to deforestation in Borneo. In Sabah and Sarawak, large areas of lowland rainforest have been logged for valuable tropical hardwoods.  Of course, there are both legal and illegal logging happening in Borneo today. In regards to legal logging, the government has introduced more strict forestry regulations and sustainable forest management plans.  Urban Sprawl and Development   Urban sprawl and rapid development is another contributing factor to Borneo’s deforestation. As cities like Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan expand, infrastructure projects like roads, housing, and dams are built, large areas of rainforest are cleared. Urban sprawl and development disrupts wildlife corridors and threatens Borneo’s unique species.  Development definitely draws economic opportunities but poorly planned projects and urban expansion do accelerate habitat loss. Not to mention all the waste and pollution left behind.  How is Deforestation Impacting Borneo’s Wildlife? Not just Borneo but everywhere that deforestation occurs has a devastating impact on local wildlife. In Borneo, the orangutan, pygmy elephant, proboscis monkey, sun bear, clouded leopard, and other species are in danger of loosing their habitat.  Deforestation make it harder for wildlife to forage for food, migrate, reproduce, and can force animals closer to developed areas which increases the conflicts between animals and humans.  Deforestation disrupts ecosystems which reduces biodiversity and can push many of Borneo’s endemic species sadly toward extinction unless drastic measures are taken.  What is Malaysia Borneo Doing to Protect it’s Rainforests?   Up until now, I haven’t painted a good picture about what’s going on in Borneo in terms of deforestation. But after talking to licensed guides, visiting conservation centres and doing my own research, I think there is hope.  The guides I talked to think that Malaysia is turning things around and that the rainforests and wildlife in Malaysia Borneo can be saved. Below are some topics that I asked my guides about and I want to share some good news with you all. Here are a few efforts being made by Malaysia to but an end to deforestation in Borneo. Keep in mind this is just Malaysia and their efforts.   Protected Areas and National Parks Despite ongoing threats from logging, expansion, and palm oil, Malaysia has taken significant steps to protect its remaining rainforests and biodiversity.  The government has designated a lot of land for national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, forest reserves, and internationally recognized heritage sites, like Kinabalu Park.  In Sabah, the government has taken a proactive approach to forest protection and conservation efforts. Their aim is to increase protected areas and limit logging, expansion, and palm oil plantations.  Conservation Projects Across Borneo, there are numerous conservation projects that are underway to protect the islands unique ecosystems and wildlife.  There are island wide conservation efforts between Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia. But speaking on the Malaysia side there are organizations like the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Sun Bear Conservation Centre that are working to protect and rescue Borneo’s vulnerable species.  There are also conservation foundations like the Malaysian Palm Oil Green Conservation Foundation, they are working on long-term wildlife rehabilitation and tree-planting projects.  Wildlife Corridors Before visiting Borneo, I never really heard of or thought about Wildlife corridors. What is a wildlife corridor, you ask?  A wildlife corridor is a strip of natural habitat or network of natural habitats that connect through or around land areas disturbed by human interference, such as from agriculture or other development.  Wildlife corridors are like networks of roads in a natural sense that animals use.  Wildlife corridors act as a linkage of natural habitat that allows wildlife to move safely from place to place. These wildlife corridors should surround each palm oil plantation giving animals like orangutans room plenty of natural habitat to freely move.  There are efforts in place to connect major protected areas like Tabin Wildlife Reserve to the Kinabatangan area. There are also planned pygmy elephant corridors in the Kinabatangan region.  Responsible Palm Oil Farming Palm Oil Plantations are one of the biggest contributors to deforestation in Borneo. Unfortunately, when driving in Borneo, you see the affects of these plantations. Miles and miles as far as the eye can see of unnatural land where old rainforest should be. But is palm oil a thing of the past? According to guides I talked to in Borneo, it is. Since there has been a lot of push back on palm oil from other countries, palm oil is no longer in high demand.  I was told that the government no longer allows new palm oil plantations or it is extremely regulated. Now this does not stop illegal palm oil plantations.  In Sabah, I learned that plantations are now required to set aside conservation areas, certain buffers around rivers, and implement wildlife corridors around the plantations.  I said earlier, palm oil is not the problem. It’s the mass production and land clearing. I see no problem with smaller and sustainable farms. Hopefully with education and awareness, palm oil demand will decrease over time and rainforests can regenerate. Reforestation Efforts Similar to the conservation projects, there are restoration efforts in place by numerous organizations.  In Sabah, there is an organization called the Animal Projects &  Environmental (APE). They are responsible for planting more then 100k native trees to reconnect forest corridors. These efforts often include volunteers, students, and local communities.  There is a project known as Regrow Borneo, the focus is on forest restoration.  How Travelers Like You and I Can Make a Difference! As a traveler, you might not think of it, but you are actually playing an important role in helping conservation efforts and forest restoration in Borneo, as long as it’s done ethically.  By supporting ethical tourism, your money is supporting local communities, funding projects, and helping bring awareness.  Below you can find some topics about how travelers like you and me can make a difference in a positive way!  Choose Ethical Wildlife Experiences When choosing a wildlife tour in Borneo or anywhere really, do your research! Look up the company, read reviews, and use your judgement. I was looking for an ethical and authentic wildlife tour in Borneo and decided to go with this 3 Day and 2 Night wildlife tour at the Tanjung Bulat Jungle along the Kinabatangan River.   After the tour, I highly recommend it. You could tell the guides really care about the wildlife, nature, and educating tourists. We were given strict rules about encountering wildlife and really learned a lot about Borneo and it’s wildlife.  Pay a visit to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Sun Bear Conservation Centre, near Sandakan. These conservation centres do all they can to protect Borneo’s vulnerable species.  Keep this in mind, next time you visit an elephant sanctuary in Thailand or a tiger sanctuary in India. Do your research and only choose ethical wildlife experiences.  Be mindful of Palm Oil Products As we already learned, palm oil is everywhere! From the snacks you eat to the cosmetics you use. Unfortunately, it’s one of the most widely used vegetable oils in the world.  Always check the ingredients of the products you are using. I don’t think it’s 100% possible to avoid all palm oil products, but there are alternatives out there.  There is this German snack I love called Knoppers, I read the ingredients and palm oil was listed there. Although I love this snack, I gave up on eating it and will until they replace the palm oil ingredient.  Donate, Volunteer, Support You don’t have to be a resident of Malaysia to help fight deforestation. Really, anyone can help. You don’t even have to visit Borneo to take part in combating deforestation.  There are numerous sites online where a person can donate to help either plant trees, pay for wildlife care, or even donate to certain organizations.  When I visited Borneo and visited the Orangutan rehab centre, they allow visitors to adopt an orangutan. No, this doesn’t mean you can take one home with you, but with a donation, you can sponsor one. In return you’ll get updates, photos, etc.  Just by visiting conservation centres in Borneo or taking part in tours, your money is going toward supporting local communities and conservation efforts.  Tours realize that visitors are coming to Borneo specifically to see wildlife. So they want to do everything they can to protect the species for everyone to enjoy.  Educate Education is one of the most powerful ways travelers can help combat deforestation in Borneo. Most of us are aware of what is going on, but seeing it in person is a whole different story.  Learning about deforestation and seeing it happen you can truly see the consequences of forest loss. Travelers like

Are you looking for day trips in Sabah, specifically from Kota Kinabalu? I wrote this post to share my day trip and provide enough information on why you should visit Kinabalu Park from Kota Kinabalu. It’s a must visit destination in Borneo. Visiting Kinabalu Park from Kota Kinabalu is an easy and rewarding excursion. Just a short journey from Kota Kinabalu, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to Mount Kinabalu, cool mountain air, amazing hikes, and incredible biodiversity.  Whether you are planning for a relaxed day trip or adding to a longer Sabah itinerary, Kinabalu Park makes for a great escape from Kota Kinabalu and offers scenic views, easy hikes, and so much more!  ** This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, whether it be Viator, Booking.com, Agoda, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! About Kinabalu Park Kinabalu Park is one of Malaysia’s first national parks, established in 1964. It became Malaysia’s first World Heritage Site in 2000. Kinabalu Park surrounds Mount Kinabalu. Mount Kinabalu is the tallest mountain in Southeast Asia at 4,095 meters (13,435 feet). It’s the tallest mountain between the Himalayas and Punak Jaya in New Guinea, Indonesia.  Kinabalu Park is around 754 square kilometers and protects a range of habitats, from lowland tropical rainforests to alpine meadows.  I learned that there are around 5,000 to6,000 plant species in the park including several species of orchids and pitcher plants.  Wildlife wise, clouded leopards, macaques, hornbills, shrews, and a variety of insects, birds, and reptiles, call Kinabalu Park home.  Many visitors to Borneo will come to Kinabalu Park to hike Mount Kinabalu. It’s a 2 day and 1 night hike and is considered challenging, more on that later! Kinabalu Park is also known for its cooler mountain climate. Although parts of it are in the rainforest, I felt it got pretty chilly in certain areas. The climate and temperatures can drastically change.  Booking a Day Tour to Kinabalu Park from Kota Kinabalu If you are staying in Kota Kinabalu, one of the best ways to explore Kinabalu Park is by booking a day tour. I book day tours online through Get Your Guide, Klook, or Viator.  The pros on booking a tour include pickup/drop off from hotel, the guides are knowledgeable, and the tours usually include other stops and a meal.  Based on what I wanted to see, I booked this Kinabalu Park tour and highly recommend it. Although the Poring Hot Springs were closed at the time, our guide gave us more time at Kinabalu Park to explore.  If you want to explore other Kinabalu Park options, here are other tours: 2 Days 1 Night Mount Kinabalu ClimbSabah: Kinabalu Park, Hot Springs, and Cow Farm Day TourKinabalu Park & Poring Hot Spring TourKinabalu Park & Poring Hot Spring & Canopy Walk Why You Should Visit Kinabalu Park   Kinabalu Park in Borneo in one of the top places to visit in Sabah, Malaysia and an easy day trip from Kota Kinabalu. Visiting Kinabalu Park offers a mix of nature, adventure, and it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Kinabalu Park is home to Mount Kinabalu, the tallest mountain in Southeast. Visitors from around the world come to Borneo just to hike this famous mountain. Although I did not hike Mount Kinabalu, I took a day tour to Kinabalu Park from Kota Kinabalu and want to share my itinerary and why visiting Kinabalu Park is an absolute must!  UNESCO World Heritage Site There are so many reasons why you should visit Kinabalu Park, but I think one of the main reasons is because it is Malaysia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Kinabalu Park was designated as a UNESCO site in December, 2000. It’s a UNESCO site because of its extraordinary biodiversity and diverse ecosystems.  Views of Mount Kinabalu Let’s be honest, when hiking a mountain, sure you are on the mountain but you can’t really see it. But from multiple advantage points around Kinabalu Park and the road from Kota Kinabalu, there are phenomenal viewing points of this beautiful mountain.  The road between Kota Kinabalu and Kinabalu Park offers some of the best viewing points on Mount Kinabalu. I highly recommend the viewing platform at the Pekan Nabalu Weekly Market and the Peranggi View Point.  There are also viewing parks at the Kinabalu Conservation Centre.  Just keep in mind, the clouds around the mountain are constantly changing. So you might get lucky and see it one moment, five-minutes later it can be completely covered, so make that stop and take that photo whenever you see Mount Kinabalu.  Nature Trails and Scenic Hikes There are many nature trails within Kinabalu Park. The trails range from challenging multi-day hikes to short strolls through the rainforest.  Our tour included a hike along the Silau-Silau Trail. We took this trail, about 30-minutes to the Botanical Gardens. Along the way our guide pointed out unique flowers and other flora.  Kinabalu Park Botanical Garden The Kinabalu Park Botanical Gardens is a unique garden as it is a curated living collection of plants native to Kinabalu Park.  The botanical gardens function as an educational garden and conservation showcase. Our guide pointed out many different types of orchids, pitcher plants, and medicinal plants.  Information on Climbing Mount Kinabalu Mount Kinabalu, 4,095 meters (13,435 feet) is one of Southeast Asia’s mots accessible high-altitude climbs. It is a challenging hike but doesn’t require technical or mountaineering skills.  The typical duration to climb Mount Kinabalu is 2 days and 1 night. Climbing the mountain is only possible with a licensed guide, you cannot climb Mount Kinabalu on your own. I did not hike Mount Kinabalu, I just want to provide you with information I learned from my guide and the visitor centre.  But the hike looks something like this.  Day 1: Start at the Timpohon Gate and hike roughly 6 kilometers to Laban Rata and stay the night.  Day 2: Wake up early and begin the push to the summit. Hike back to Timpohon Gate.  Feel free to check out this tour by Get Your Guide that offers a 2 Days 1 Night Mount Kinabalu Climb.  Conclsuion Visiting Kinabalu Park as a day tour from Kota Kinabalu is an easy and educational experience. You get several opportunities to see beautiful Mount Kinabalu and learn about the biodiversity and ecosystems of the park.  If you are like me and want to see more of Borneo and get views of Mount Kinabalu without actually climbing the mountain, a day trip to Kinabalu is a must!  Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸  Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️🇲🇾 Booking Accommodations ⛺️🛖  For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours  🏖️🚁  Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options.  In need of a car rental? 🚗🚘  I recommend checking with Rental Cars.

The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) in Sandakan, Borneo is one of the most rewarding wildlife tourism experiences in Borneo. You get to learn about the Bornean Sun Bear along with the rescue and rehabilitation efforts.  Located right next to the famous Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, the Bornean Sun Bear Centre is conservation focused and allows visitors to observe rescued bears in their natural habitat. I wrote this post to shed light on the Bornean Sun Bears, provide education, and share how the BSBCC is doing what they can to protect the world’s smallest bear.  ** This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, whether it be Viator, Booking.com, Agoda, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Visiting the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre  The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre is across the street from Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, so it makes sense to visit both and I highly recommend doing so.  Most day tours or private tours from Sandakan will include both conservation centres. Below you can find the admission and hours for the Sun Bear Conservation Centre.  Admission and Hours Admission Malaysian Citizens Adults: RM10Children (2-17 years old): RM5 Non-Malaysian Citizens Adults: RM50Children (2-17 years old): RM25   Hours Open Daily: 9:00 – 15:30 About the Bornean Sun Bear Sun bears are found throughout Southeast Asia. There are two subspecies of the sun bear, the Malayan Sun Bear and the Bornean Sun Bear.  The Malayan Sun Bear is found throughout Southeast Asia to include Sumatra. The Bornean Sun Bear is found only on the island of Borneo and are roughly half the size of the Malayan Sun Bear.  According to the conservation centre, the sun bears spend a lot of time in trees and are considered the most arboreal (living in trees) of all bear species.  When you think of bears, you think of honey! Sun bears have incredibly long tongues which are used to eat insects and honey. They also eat fruits and small animals.  The sun bear is the world’s smallest bear. The average height ranges between 120-150 cm with males weighing between 30-60kn and females weigh around 20-40kg.  What is the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre? According to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre website, their goal is to rescue and rehabilitate Bornean sun bears. The center opened in 2014 to the public and has 41 rescued sun bears.  The BSBCC focuses on animal welfare, rehabilitation, research, education, and ecotourism.  All the information provided is from my visit to the BSBCC and the BSBCC website. Sun Bear Rescue and Rehabilitation The staff at BSBCC works around the clock to rescue and rehabilitate the Bornean sun bears.  When bears first arrive, they receive a health check and remain quarantined for a month to protect themselves and other bears.  After the bear goes through quarantine they arrive at an indoor enclosure near other bears so it can become used to the scents, sights, and sounds of other bears at the rescue. The sun bears are then transferred to their forest enclosures where they learn typical bear behaviors like foraging and building nests.  The goal is for the bears to develop all the skills they need to live in the wild again. Our guide told us sometimes the bears can be at the rehab facility for 15 years.  Conservation and Education At the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, conservation and education go hand in hand. The goal is to give travelers a deeper understanding of why responsible wildlife tourism in Borneo matters.  Before visiting the BSBCC I had no clue about the Bornean sun bears and now I am writing a post about them, because I think their conservation efforts are equally important as those of the orangutans next door.  The conservation centre here does an amazing job at informing its visitors on the conservation and effort that is made to rescue the Bornean sun bear.  Why Sun Bears are Endangered in Borneo   Unfortunately, the sun bears are endangered for many reasons: habitat loss, poaching, and being sold as pets.  The sun bears are a protected species and have been since 1997. But this obviously does not stop poachers. Poachers illegally sell certain body parts of the bears as exotic meats and to be used as medicine (bile from gall bladder).  Because the Bornean sun bear is the smallest bear species on the planet, people think they are cute and would make great pets.  For obvious reasons, keeping a bear as a pet is a bad idea. Even though they are small, they are still bears. When people realize this, the bears always suffer and usually end up being tied down or placed in tiny cages.  According to the BSBCC, all the bears here were pets at one point and are currently being rehabilitated to regain their skills to survive in the wild.  What to Expect when Visiting The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre is small but you can easily spend an hour or two here. First, I recommend reading all the information signs posted prior to the entrance and along the platforms.  Next, you get a chance to see the Bornean sun bears from viewing platforms set above the enclosures.  If timed correctly, you can also watch the staff feed the bears.  Walking Trails and Viewing Platforms  The BSBCC features elevated walkways with several viewing platforms. There are benches on the platforms and places to take breaks.  Along the platforms there are information signs posted along the way which I recommend reading.  Seeing the Sun Bears in a Natural Forest Habitat and Feeding From the platforms above you can see the Bornean sun bears. Of course, like all wildlife, there is no guarantee but your chances are quite high.  The habitats are large giving the bears plenty of space to forage and explore. I really liked that the enclosures are built within a natural setting.  Informational Exhibits Besides seeing the Bornean sun bears, I really loved the amount of information posted around the BSBCC. From the path leading to the entrance, the platforms, and exit, there were information signs everywhere.  I knew nothing about the Bornean sun bear and now have a lot of respect for the world’s smallest bears.  Learn about the bears habitat, what they eat, how they differ from the Malayan sun bear, and so much more!  Booking a Tour to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre Like the Sepilok Orangutan Rehab Centre, you can visit the BSBCC on your own. But I recommend booking a tour online through either Get Your Guide, Viator, or Klook.  When booking a tour, usually includes both the Sepilok Orangutan Rehab Centre and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. The guide handles tickets, transportation, and is there to answer any questions.  Here are some of the tours that I recommend.  Sandakan Sepilok Orangutan & Sun Bear Half-Day Guided Tour Private Full Day Sepilok Orangutan, Bornean Sun Bear, and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour Full Day at Sepilok Orangutan, Sun Bear, and Sandakan City Tour Conclusion Visiting the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre really impacted me, so much so that I felt the need to write about it to inform my readers on ethical wildlife tourism and how awesome the BSBCC is. If you are planning on visiting the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, do yourself a favor, cross the street and pay a visit to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre.  Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸  Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️🇲🇾 Booking Accommodations ⛺️🛖  For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours  🏖️🚁  Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options.  In need of a car rental? 🚗🚘  I recommend checking with Rental Cars.

Your best chances of seeing a wild orangutan while in Borneo is by visiting the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Sandakan.  This world-famous sanctuary offers visitors a rare chance to see the Bornean orangutans in a natural rainforest setting while learning about conservation and rehabilitation efforts.  While visiting the Sepilok Orangutan Rehab Centre you’ll be able to watch the primates at feeding times and even catch a glimpse of one in swinging in the canopy.  This guide not only goes over what to expect at the rehab center but I want to inform my readers on conservation and protecting endangered species and share what I learned on what Malaysia is doing to protect its wildlife.  ** This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, whether it be Viator, Booking.com, Agoda, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Visiting Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre   The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is one of Borneo’s main wildlife attractions. It’s a rewarding experience for travelers that are looking to see orangutans in Borneo while supporting conservation efforts.  I’ve outlined important information in this post to help you plan your trip to the Orangutan rehab centre based on my visit.  Admission and Hours Admission Malaysian Citizens Adults: RM5Children (18 and Under): RM2 Non-Malaysian Citizens Adults: Rm30Children (18 and Under): RM15 *There is a camera fee. Camera Phones: FreeProfessional Cameras (DSLR, Video Camera, GoPro, etc..): RM10 Hours 7 Days a Week9:00-11:00 / 14:00-15:30 Feeding Platform10:00 and 15:00 Outdoor Nursery9:00-12:00 and 14:00-16:00 Where is Sepilok & How to Get There Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is in the town of Sandakan located in the state of Sabah in northern Borneo, Malaysia.  These directions are taken from the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre website.  From Sandakan: There are four public buses that arrive at Sepilok and four that return back to Sandakan. It’s about a 45 minute journey and costs RM4 a person.  You can take a taxi or use Grab as well, it’s about a 20 minute drive from Sandakan Airport.  Personally, I recommend and this is what we did, but I booked a Private Full Day Tour.  The guide picked us up from the hotel, drove us to each destination and provided a wealth of knowledge along the way, not to mention entrances were included on this Private Full Day Tour.  The Orangutans Orang-Hutan comes from the Malay words “Orang” which means person and “Hutan,” which translates to “Of the Forest.” So Orang-Hutan means People of the Forest!  Orangutans are only found in the wild on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. There is a Sumatran Orangutan and the Bornean Orangutan.  Prior to visiting Borneo, I was clueless about Orangutans. I knew they are primates and of course know what their appearance looks like, but that is it. After spending time in the Bornean rainforest seeing them in the wild and paying a visit to Sepilok, I’ve learned so much more about orangutans and want to share some of what I learned with my readers.  About the Bornean Orangutan There are two types of orangutans, the Sumatran Orangutan and the Bornean Orangutan, both critically endangered. Within the island of Borneo, there are three subspecies of Bornean Orangutans. It is estimated that there are around 104,000 Bornean orangutans left in the wild.  The Bornean orangutan lives on the Malaysia and Indonesian side of Borneo. Compared to the Sumatran orangutan they are considered larger, have darker red fur, and broader faces.  The Bornean orangutans are known to be more solitary and less social then the Sumatra orangutan.  Based on my experience in Borneo. I encountered wild orangutans almost everyday while staying along the Kinabatangan River. The orangutans spend most their lives in the trees and rarely come down to the ground.  It amazed me to see how they use their long arms to glide through the canopy going from tree to tree with ease looking for fresh fruits.  Orangutans at Sepilok According to the Orangutan Appeal UK Sepilok website, there are around 60-80 orangutans that live in the rainforest reserve at Sepilok.  There is one orangutan that my guide told me about and I want to share his story.  Malim, he’s a giant male orangutan that calls Sepilok home. I think now, he’s around 24-25 years old and was brought to Sepilok as an orphan.  When he was fully rehabilitated, he was driven by car and buckled up hours away from Sepilok to a forested area. Over the course of a few months, Malim randomly showed back up at Sepilok.  Apparently, while in the car, he was paying attention to landmarks and used his intelligence to backtrack back to Sepilok. I think he’s done this twice now. Because of this he is a permanent resident at Sepilok. He can be seen at the feeding platforms and is quite the celebrity. Just goes to show you how smart orangutans really are.  What Happens to them Once they are Rehabilitated?   Each orangutan at Sepilok Rehab Centre has a different back story. But the goal is for them to be fully rehabilitated which can take several years before being released back to the wild.  While at Sepilok, the orangutans are learning vital survival skills they need to live an independent life.  The orangutans are taught to forage for food, climb, and nest.  New rescues will stay at a nursery for medical checks. Afterwards they are released to the outdoor nursery where they learn natural behaviors.  After they develop natural habits they are released within Sepilok to secluded areas where they are looked after by specialized staff. This stage is as wild as it gets but they are still monitored.  After several years of rehab, the orangutans are then driven and flown to secluded forested areas in Borneo.  What to Expect Now that you know more about the Bornean orangutan and about the rehabilitation efforts and process, what does a day at Sepilok look like for visitors?  Feeding Platforms and Viewing Areas   The main highlight for visitors at the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre are the feeding platforms. Feeding times are at 10:00 and 15:00 daily.  Just remember, these are wild animals so it’s not guaranteed that you will see the orangutans. But you have a high chance of seeing them at Sepilok.  The main feeding platform takes visitors inside where you can see the orangutans eat on platforms.  The first feeding platform can get crowded so it is recommended to come about 30 minutes before feeding times. Our guide recommended that we crouched down on the floor in front of the glass for best viewing opportunities.  The second feeding platform is in the rainforest and meant for the more mature orangutans who are in the process of being introduced in the wild. These orangutans are more secluded and more difficult to spot. But we saw one here. The diet that the orangutans are fed by the staff include a variety of fruit and vegetables. Orangutans are not the only primates that call Sepilok home. There are Long-tailed and Pig-tailed Macaques that live here and share the food.  It’s hilarious to watch the staff keep the macaques away from the food at first, then once the staff leaves, hoarders of macaques scramble around to eat the leftovers.  Jungle Boardwalks   There are boardwalks that traverse through the rainforest for visitors to walk from the visitor centre to the feeding platforms.  The rainforest is beautiful and authentic. Pay attention to your surroundings and look around, you’ll never know what you might find.  The boardwalks are well maintained and keep visitors away from stepping on and touching the delicate vegetation. But keep in mind to watch your belongings because monkeys tend to be curious.  Visitor Centre There is a visitor centre at Sepilok. Here you can find souvenirs, books, and more information about the orangutans that call Sepilok home.  You can also speak to staff at the visitor centre in case you have any questions after your visit.  Ethical Wildlife Tourism at Sepilok   I do my research prior to visiting any attraction that handles wildlife. You’ll never see me taking a photo in front of a drugged up Tiger or supporting tourism around Elephants. But there are a lot of ethical wildlife tourism locations and conservation efforts that I do support and one of them is Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.  Written at the rehab centre is a sign that says: The aim of the centre has always been to receive, nurture, and returned orphaned, injured, or displaced orangutans back into the wild through the process of rehabilitation.  Why Sepilok is Ethical The Bornean Orangutan is an endangered species. The orangutans at the rescue centre all have different backgrounds on how they ended up at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.  Some orangutans were rescued from logging areas, being held in captivity, habitat loss, or from human interactions.  The orangutans at the rehab centre are carefully rehabilitated and taught essential survival skills before being released back into the rainforest.  The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre’s mission is conservation, rehabilitation, and education. This centre rescues orphaned, injured, and/or displaced orangutans and focuses on rehabilitating them to be released back into the wild.  The orangutans live freely here in a protected rainforest environment. There is little to no human contact, and feeding is carefully managed. How You Can Support Conservation Just visiting Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is a great way to support orangutan conservation. The money goes toward conservation efforts and the care for these magnificent primates.  You can also adopt an orangutan. When visiting Sepilok, there is more information on this and employees that can assist. For RM250 you can adopt an orangutan. You’ll get:✅ Certificate of Appreciation✅ The story behind the orangutan✅ Photographs✅ Exclusive Videos✅ A Soft Toy✅ Newsletter✅ An update after 6 months of the progress✅ Most importantly, knowing that you’ve achieved something to help save the Bornean Orangutans Booking a Tour to Sepilok Orangutan Rehab Centre You can visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehab Centre on your own. But I highly recommend booking a private tour through either Get Your Guide, Viator, or Klook.  When booking a tour, you don’t have to worry about transport, getting tickets, or showing up at the right time, it’s all taken care for you.  Here are some of the tours that I recommend: Private Full Day Sepilok Orangutan, Bornean Sun Bear, and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour Full Day At Sepilok Orangutan, Sun Bear & Sandakan City Tour Sepilok Orangutan Centre Half Day Tour Conclusion Visiting the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Sandakan is truly one of the best ways to see wild orangutans and assist with conservation efforts to protect this endangered species.  Visitors come from all over the world to see the orangutans at Sepilok Rehab Centre. You can view orangutans up close, learn about their behaviors, and potentially save them just by visiting.  Sepilok is a must-do activity when visiting Borneo. I hope you learned a little more about the Bornean orangutan and how important it is to protect this species. If you’ve visited or have plans to let me know!  Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸  Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️🇲🇾 Booking Accommodations ⛺️🛖  For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours  🏖️🚁  Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options.  In need of a car rental? 🚗🚘  I recommend checking with Rental Cars.