Malaysia Borneo Sabah with Orang Utan + Sun Besar & Mangrove River Cruise Tour  

Overview

Malaysia Borneo Sabah with Orang Utan + Sun Besar & Mangrove River Cruise Tour

Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre

The Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre (SOURC), the world largest Orang Utan rehabilitation centre, was set up in 1964 to rehabilitate orphaned baby orang utan. Set in the lush 4,300-hectare Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, the Centre under the administration of the Wildlife Department of Sabah attracts tourists and researchers alike, giving them the opportunity to watch the orang utan up close in their natural habitat. A boardwalk leads you to a viewing gallery and feeding platform where the apes are fed milk and bananas twice a day at 10:00am and 3:00pm by rangers. Feeding time also attracts long-tailed macaques to the area.

While orang utan rehabilitation is still the primary goal at Sepilok, it also focuses on public education on conservation, research and assistance on other endangered species such as the rhinoceros.

Visitors are restricted to walkways. Some orang utan have become familiar with people but touching them is strongly discouraged, and while the apes are naturally shy and gentle, the more mischievous ones may try to grab your camera or hat, in which case you should call for a ranger as trying to wrestle the 200 pound apes may not be a good idea.



Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre

The mission of the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre in Sabah, Malaysia, is to promote sun bear conservation in Borneo through animal welfare, conservation, rehabilitation, education and research - giving captured sun bears a better home and restoring their right to live in the wild, by:

Creating the capacity to confiscate, rehabilitate and release suitable orphaned and ex-captive bears back into the wild.
Providing an improved long-term living environment for captive bears that cannot be released.
Educating the public and raising awareness about this species.
Achieving increased protection for sun bears and their habitat through ongoing research, increased knowledge and awareness, and further protection of habitat.


Tanjung Aru Island

It takes 15 mins by speedboat from Sandakan to reach Tanjung Aru Island. Tourists are able to see stilt houses while cruising along river. This fishing village is a part of a eco tourism plan for the area. During the cruise, a chance to spot wild animals like Proboscis Monkeys, Otters and Kingfishers. When getting dark, fireflies will light up the trees which allows you intoxicated.

Itinerary
08:30
Pick up from hotel and drive approximately 40 mins to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center.

After registration, trek 10 mins through the rainforest on wooden boardwalk to the Feeding Platform.

10:00
Witness the morning feeding of Orang Utans.

Return to reception center, watch the scheduled video programme (25 mins) at the Nature Education Center, and visit to the Exhibition Hall.

Lunch enroute.

13:00
Advance to Borneon Sun Bear Conservation Centre.

15:00
Visit Sepilok for the second feeding and then proceed to Sandakan.

Take a speedboat from Sandakan for about 15 mins and reach Tanjung Aru Island.

Have a simple tea break in one of the villagers’ house. Take a cruise to spot wild animals.

19:00
Take a slow cruise and witness the fireflies lighting up the trees. After that, transfer for a local seafood restaurant to enjoy dinner.

After dinner, transfer back to respective hotels.

Warm Remind
- Things to bring : raincoat (wet season Nov – Feb), cap/hat, insect repellent, sun cream, good walking shoes, socks, comfortable cotton T-shirt with long or short pant, binocular, camera and personal medications.
- Camera fee is not included (Camera fee at Sepilok is MYR 10).