Borneo Orangutan Holiday

Written by Aleena Che Ramli

Borneo island, an equatorial haven of tropical biodiversity, known for its wide array of incredible plants and amazing wildlife in Southeast Asia. A number of travelers from all over the world comes to the island of Borneo to see one of the native great apes to Asia. This is none other than the endangered species of Pongo pygmaeus better known as Borneo Orangutan. Three-quarters of the world’s orangutans live in the forest of the Borneo island.

The jungles of Borneo is an acoustics orchestra of its own — the fresh and earthy smell of the trees and ground, gibbons calling, birds and cicadas singing — quite the setting for seeing these animals play, swing and live among the treetops.

There are only a few places on earth that gives you the chance to see orangutans in the wild. Having said that, the Ultimate Orangutan Observation Tour in Malaysian Borneo – Sabah and Sarawak would be an opportunity of a lifetime to view the primate orangutan be it in primary or secondary forest and in sanctuaries. Traveling between both Sabah and Sarawak is relatively convenient as there are daily domestic flights available. This maximizes your opportunity to see the orangutans and its wildlife friends during your Borneo holidays.

Authentic Bukit Piton, Sabah

Departing from Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu to visit Danum Valley and Tabin Wildlife? Little is known that Bukit Piton in Lahad Datu itself is a place where you can get a surreal experience of observing the orangutans in the wild. It is an extension of Danum Valley Conservation Area, located not far from the Lahad Datu town.

And the best thing is, it’s away from the tourist crowd where you get to enjoy your orangutan adventure at your own pace. Situated at the Ulu Segama-Malua which was once destroyed by fire and poor logging practices, Bukit Piton is now being reincarnated to a thriving secondary rainforest that welcomes the orangutans and other wildlife back to their home bound. During your orangutan safari tour, you will sit at the back of a pick-up truck, enjoying the views while exploring the Bukit Piton forest reserve, populated by around 300 wild orangutans (2008 estimate, WWF-Malaysia, unpublished report).

Besides orangutans, you’ll be surprised with the incredible amount of wildlife that can be found here such as slow loris, hornbills, civets, mousedeer, otters, flatheaded cats, western tarsier and clouded leopard when you go for the night safari.

Alternative Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Sabah

Just 2 hours’ drive northeast of Lahad Datu, Tabin Wildlife Reserve can also be an alternative to Danum Valley to see orangutans which were released from the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary. Despite partially being a secondary rainforest, there are approximately 1400 orangutans living in Tabin Wildlife Reserve. It is also home to an astonishing variety of 300 species of birds including 8 species of hornbill and some other rare endemic species like Borneo pygmy elephants and Banteng. Just like Danum Valley, the licensed nature guides keep in touch via walkie-talkie to update on wildlife sightings. Jungle trekking in Tabin can be quite exhilarating — anticipating an orangutan or an elephant.

Tabin Wildlife Reserve also has several mineral-rich mud volcanoes and saltwater springs that attract a variety of nutrient seekers. So, it is an ideal spot for wildlife spotting like elephants, Bornean wild cats, civets and gibbons. There is also an observation tower nearby at the Lipad mud volcano. Once you are there, make sure to look out for some animal footprints around the area.

Luxury Danum Valley, Sabah

Nestled in the east of Sabah, one of the last patches of primary rainforest in Borneo is the world-famous Danum Valley. The 130-million-year-old ecosystem comprises pristine primary lowland forest teaming with endemic flora and fauna that will have you awe-inspired upon every sense. A sizeable population of orangutans roam the dense jungle of Danum Valley Conservation Area. Danum Valley Field Centre, Infapro and Taliwas Recreational Forest are perfect stays during your wildlife adventure in Danum Valley.

You can also request your private guide to take you along the jungle trails in search of orangutans among the dense foliage. It is estimated that there are about 500 orangutans living in Danum Valley. In fact, trekking into the Danum rainforest is the main way to go in search of wildlife here. But remember — Danum Valley is a living jungle, not a zoo. While one trek might bring many wildlife sightings, another trek can be sparse. Besides orangutans, Danum’s canopy walkway elevates you to life in the treetops, where you can find over 270 colorful bird species including hornbills, Bornean bristlehead, kingfishers and flycatchers. To explore further into the ancient forest, hop on a 4WD safari vehicle for extraordinary sightings of Bornean pygmy elephants, sun bears, bearded pigs, mousedeer or even clouded leopards.

Accessible Kinabatangan River, Sabah

Located just 2 hours from Sandakan, the Kinabatangan River is a perfect destination to spot a multitude of wildlife, especially orangutans. It is the longest river in Sabah, emerging high from the Crocker Range and travelling 560 km down to its mangrove swamp estuary into the Sulu Sea. The Kinabatangan River provides a unique and rich ecosystem, making the concentration of wildlife in the lower region of the river absolutely remarkable. According to experts, Kinabatangan River is the most varied and easily accessible wildlife area in all of Southeast Asia.

Therefore, it is the easiest way to see orangutans in the wild — cruising along the river and its tributaries lets you cover more ground and get closer to the animals without imposing on their habitat. Studies show that there are around 1100 orangutans in the Kinabatangan corridor. The best time for wildlife viewing from your boat is late afternoon. If luck is on your side, you might catch a glimpse of orangutans preparing their nests for the night high in the treetops, pygmy elephants bathing, proboscis monkeys munching on shoots, and various birdlife flitting along the river. The night safari unveils the mysterious life of nocturnal creatures — crocodiles surfacing in the moonlight, flying squirrels, thousands of sparkling fireflies, sleeping kingfishers and owls perched on the banks. For bird lovers, Kinabatangan is the perfect place to see amazing species up close in their natural habitat.

Up Close Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, Sabah

As you touch down in Sandakan Airport, Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre offers a great introduction to orangutans before heading to the jungles of Borneo. Here, you are almost guaranteed to see rescued youngsters and adults at close quarters. Sepilok takes care of young orphan orangutans, helping them learn vital survival skills for life in the wild. It was the first centre in the world dedicated to the rehabilitation of orphan orangutans.

Your visit usually starts with a short informative documentary about the survival and challenges of orangutans and other fascinating exhibits. The highlight is watching orangutans swing from tree to tree for their daily fruit meals. Watch them eat, tumble and play on the feeding platform. You can also stay nearby at Sepilok Nature Resort or Sepilok Forest Edge Resort if you just can’t get enough of these adorable orange creatures.

Convenient Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, Sarawak

If you are looking to see orangutans in Sarawak, Semenggoh Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre is the place to go. Although it is not as well-known as Sepilok in Sabah, Semenggoh offers intimate wildlife viewing. Here, observation is strictly from a safe distance so as not to intimidate the creatures.

There are two main observation areas where visitors can watch the orangutans feeding, both offering great views of these apes in the trees. However, during the fruiting season, sightings may be rarer as the orangutans feast deeper in the forest. The sanctuary is located just 30 minutes from Sarawak’s capital, Kuching — making it convenient to combine your visit with other attractions such as the Iban longhouse, Sarawak River cruises, Kuching heritage city tour or Bako National Park where you might see Irrawaddy pink dolphins, proboscis monkeys, mudskippers and saltwater crocodiles.

Return to Sabah – Natural Wonders of Borneo — discover more rainforest adventures, wildlife encounters, and island escapes across Malaysia’s most diverse region.

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