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Sepilok: experience Borneo’s fascinating jungle children very closely


Sepilok: Experience Borneo’s fascinating jungle children very closely

On a trip to Borneo, the small town of Sepilok is a must for nature lovers. In this article, I’ll show you what to expect in Sepilok and which wonderful animals you can not miss!

The northeast of Borneo – that is home to the probably sweetest, but at the same time most endangered animals of Asia. The shaggy orangutans, the funny proboscis monkeys, the little pygmy elephants, and the lesser-known, cute little malay bears – all these animals call their home in the Malaysian state of Sabah. But the dense rainforest that once covered the country is shrinking more and more.

About 25 kilometers west of Sandakan is the small one Kabili-Sepilok nature reserve. It covers an area of ​​just over 42 square kilometers and houses a large variety of interesting animals and plants. Forest clearing has been prohibited in this area since 1957. This place is one of the last in Borneo to see the famous orangutans in their natural habitat. Today 60 to 80 orangutans live there free. No wonder that the small town of Sepilok has become a tourist magnet of Sabah.

The orangutan rehabilitation center

The best known contact point is the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center. Here liberated or orphaned kittens are reopened and prepared for life in freedom. The monkey children are taught to seek food and climb trees before being gradually weaned off the station.

Card of the Orangutan Rehabilitation Center

Every day at 10 and 15 o’clock you can watch the orangutans feed. Most areas of the protection center are not open to the public, so at these times you have the best chance of seeing the impressive apes.

From the entrance, a plank path leads to the feeding platform. Backpacks and bottles are prohibited indoors. However, at the entrance you will find lockers where you can store your belongings. We only included our cameras, wallets and spare batteries.

When we arrived at the morning feeding, already two orangutans on the platform enjoyed their breakfast. A carer sat next to the food basket and distributed coconuts, bananas and other fruits. We could have watched the animals eat forever. It is fantastic how cleverly they take the fruits apart and eat them.

As fascinating as the apes are, when observing I had to think again and again of the orangutans of the Semenggoh Wildlife Center near Kuching. In comparison, the animals here looked much lankier and more powerless. It really made me realize what work the carers had to do before the orangutans are fully fed up again and can survive in the wild alone.

Even more we were able to see the differences in kindergarten watching next door. From the building we could watch the younger animals outside playing and learning on large climbing frames for a while through the glass screen. The carers lovingly cared for the young orangutans. It happened not infrequently that one of the little rascals fell off the jungle gym and the nurses helped him up again and showed him how to climb up. Especially cute was a kid, who deliberately let himself fall again and then roll over the grass with his somersaults. Again and again, the supervisors arrived to show him that he should climb with the others.

Gorgeous was also a group of young orangutans. One had found a coconut and now his friends chased him from rope to rope to steal the nut. We could have watched the playful guys forever!

After some time, the orderlies came and brought the kittens back into the building. Also we had to leave the grounds, but decided to stop by for the afternoon feeding at 15 o’clock again.

And the second visit was worth it! Until we got inside, we visited that information center and watched a short film, which explained even more about the rehabilitation work.

Back at the first feeding place we were stopped by a ranger. We almost missed overlooking two orangutans on the visitor platform. In the afternoon, fewer tourists visit the station, so we were able to observe the animals in peace. The orderlies locked a perimeter, so that one did not get too close to the animals. After some time, the two were probably a bit too much and they retreated.

You should keep in mind that the protection center is not a zoo. During feeding, you can watch special feed platforms as the animals are fed and playfully frolic. There is no way to touch the animals or watch them for a long time. The rangers are very careful that you do not get too close to the animals. With us, the orangutans have also walked a long way on the visitor routes, so please follow the instructions of the rangers.

Opening hours: Saturday to Thursday from 9:00 to 12:00 & 14.00 to 16.00 clock
Friday 9:00 to 11:00 & 14.00 to 16.00 clock
Feeding times: 10.00 and 15.00 every day
Entry: 30 RM | Photo permission 10 RM extra (ticket valid for the whole day)

Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center (BSBCC)

In addition to the orangutans, there are many more animals in the rainforests that need to be protected. Right next to the orangutan rehabilitation center is the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center. There are currently about 45 Malay bears living here.

Also called sun bears, golden animals are the smallest bears in the world. But they are also threatened by the shrinking habitat. They are hunted because they can cause considerable damage in plantations (such as coconut palms). In addition, they are so sweet that they are often kept as “pets” in cages. When they are fully grown, they are slaughtered and some body parts are used for medical purposes. The bile and bladder of the Malay bears are highly valued in traditional Chinese medicine. Rarely, the bear meat is also eaten.

At the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center, the rescued bears are nursed back and prepared for life in freedom.

For an intact rainforest on Borneo, Malay Bears are very helpful animals:

  1. forest planters
    Malay bears eat a variety of forest fruits. As they travel, they disperse the partially digested fruit seeds throughout the forest. Thereby they help to secure the growth of these seeds. The further the seeds are planted away from the parent tree, the higher the survival rate of the new trees.
  2. forest engineering
    Sun bears are excellent climbers. One reason they climb trees is the harvest of honey in the hives. With their strong claws and canines, they can open tree trunks to get at the honey. This in turn creates cavities that can be used as the nest of hornbills and flying squirrels.
  3. forest doctor
    Termites are social insects that live in large colonies and feed on trees. In Asia, there are some termite species that build their nests in trees, which can lead to the death of this large plant. For Malay bears, termites are a favorite food. With their claws, they dig in termite nests and eat the small insects. This helps the forest to stay healthy and alive while controlling the termite population.
  4. Waldbauer
    When the bears dig for invertebrates in the ground (for example, earthworms, ants, and termites), they help improve the nutrient cycle in the forest by mixing the nutrient-rich and nutrient-poor soil together. They mix the forest soil just as farmers plow their fields before planting.

Born in 2008 by Malaysian bear researcher Wong Siew Te, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center is located in Sepilok the only maila bear conservation center in the world. It was set up to inform the public and, above all, to care for and rehabilitate the little bears. After you have bought your ticket, a path leads you to the enclosures. Many interesting signs tell you what makes the Malay Bears so special, how and where they live and what they feed on.

The path leads you onto a wooden path on stilts. From here you can look down into the large enclosure. But remember that the bears are fantastic climbers! They stayed with us most of the time on the trees. Through the elevated path we were with them directly at eye level. On the viewing platforms is consistently an employee who likes to give more information. He has binoculars with which you can observe the animals closer. Talk to him calmly. The carers are totally friendly and happy to help. There are also some books that tell the stories of each bear. All were rescued either from circuses, cages or as orphans. You can read about the special characteristics of each animal and how it came about.

  • Mary was captured by poachers and kept as a pet. Because of her unbalanced diet, she has a smaller body structure and usually moves very untypically. She tried to walk on two legs, in the course of having spent most of her life with people. Meanwhile, her physical condition has improved and she can climb around like the other bears again.
  • Fulung was found by a hunting dog in a remote forest area. The villagers took him as a pet and he grew up very quickly under their care. Fulung was handed over to the Sabah Wildlife Department and brought to a zoo before being sent to the BSBCC in 2010. He was injured by the hunting dog and had a bite on his body. Fulung also has a scratch mark on his forehead, which was probably caused when he tried to break out of the cage.
  • Gutuk originally comes from the Kota Kinabalu region. He has very poor eyesight, which slows his movement significantly. It is believed that he was blinded by the hot sparks of the workshop tools. Despite access to the outdoor area, Gutuk has never stepped out of his inner cage. The keepers always try to encourage him and lure him with his favorite treats, but so far it has not succeeded.
  • Kudat and his best friend panda were previously housed in less than satisfactory conditions until they were handed over to the BSBCC. Kudat and Panda were shown as pandas in a miniature zoo. These “pandas” were fed daily with one chicken each. That explains why they have a fairly large height compared to the other bears at their age.
  • Kuamut Originally from the Kinabatangan River area. When she arrived at the center, she was in very poor shape. As a newborn, she was kept as a pet in a small iron cage until she was a toddler. It is believed that her mother had been killed for bear body parts for the black market. Kuamut’s neck was closed with an enormously heavy metal chain with a brass lock weighing more than 2 kg. Her neck was thin and worn as the chains were finally removed by BSBCC specialists. Today she is one of the healthiest bears running around in the enclosure.

All stories and bear photos can be found on the official website of the BSBCC.

We were very impressed by the Malay bears. Admittedly, the visit here has fallen even more than in the orangutan center next door. The center is open throughout the day and is from significantly fewer tourists visited. At times we were with the little bears completely for us.

A trip to the Malay Bears is not only a great way to bridge the gap between the two orangutan feedings, so staying with the sweet guys is a unique experience. If you want to travel to Sepilok, then we can only recommend a visit to the cute bears!

Opening hours: daily from 9:00 to 15:30
Entry: Adults 31.80 RM | Children from 12 to 17 years 5,30 RM | Pensioners and children under 12 years free admission

Rainforest Discovery Center

Near the two rehabilitation centers is located one of the best bird watching spots in Sabah. More than 250 species can be discovered at the Rainforest Discovery Center. A visitor’s house and many signs along the way provide clear information about the rainforest and show photos of the many birds. On a 150 meter Canopy Walk you can walk through the summit region of the forest.

Map of the Rainforest Discovery Center

Since our trip to Sri Lanka we have become real bird lovers. So in Sepilok it was not that hard to get up early and to go in search of the colorful birds before breakfast. If you also want to discover the animals of the forest, you should visit the Rainforest Discovery Center as early as possible in the morning and very late in the evening. Most likely, the switch does not open at these times, but most of the trails are unlocked so you can come in outside of office hours. You can pay the entrance fee if you leave the center. Behave very calmly and you can discover so many animals!

There are several lookout towers, from which you can watch the animals. Most of the birds, such as spider hunters, Red-naped Trogon and colorful Dwarf Kingfisher, have been discovered along the way between the Hornbill Tower and the Kingfisher Trail.

From the big lookout towers in the center, we just climbed a big, yellow caterpillar on a branch and only a few hornbills fly far away.

The longest time we have at Broadbill Tower spent. On the recommendation of our guest house owners, we went directly to the Rainforest Discovery Center on the first evening. We were pretty much the only visitors and walked quietly, ears pricked along the paths through the forest. At Broadbill Tower, we met a photographer and his assistant. They discovered an orangutan mother and her cub in the trees. So cute! I do not know how long we watched the two climbers.

It was getting dark. The little orangutan family retreated to more distant trees and the next surprises awaited us. A colorful Black and Yellow Broadbill with turquoise beak, bright yellow circles and a pink belly jumped between the branches. He looked gorgeous!

As it got darker, we decided to go back. Fortunately, that was Canopy Walk still open. Arrived in the treetops, we discovered the night walk group, who was waiting anxiously for something. With the binoculars they showed us a hole in the crown of a tree. It was not long before a creature crawled out of the cave and climbed even higher. Arrived on a branch, it dropped to the bottom and glided like a dragon through the sky – Flying Squirrels! These animals have fascinated me for a long time. Unbelievable to finally see her. After a short while, the next one plunged into the darkness again. Unfortunately, they were far too fast for our camera, so we only have this one photo.

Opening hours: daily from 8:00 to 17:00
Entry: Adults 15 RM | Children 7 RM

All in all, we discovered these animals during our stay in Sepilok:

Bird species in Sepilok

  • flowers Picker
  • Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher & more kingfishers
  • Green-backed Sunbird
  • Collar Breitrachen
  • honeysuckers
  • Hornbill
  • Rotnackentrogon
  • Spiderhunter
  • serpent eagle

Other rainforest inhabitants

  • Orangutans
  • sunbears
  • Flying squirrels, giant squirrels, tree squirrel
  • mouse deer
  • Giant snail with house
  • sting spider
  • Segelfalter & other butterfly species

Here you should stay overnight

Our accommodation Sepilok B&B was just steps away from the Rainforest Discovery Center. After our arrival we ate on the terrace in the in-house restaurant. We had not yet received our food when we spotted a large bird of prey (snake-harrier) on the tree next door. On the hibiscus flowers gaudy red nectar fluttered. What a welcome!

When we arrived, the accommodation seemed a bit abandoned and rundown. However, I suspect that was because some of the rooms were renovated. We expected a small double room, because we did not need more for the days. But our room was gigantic and absolutely clean. It was probably the largest room we had during our trip through Malaysia!

Our room had room for four people (though we only booked for two), a desk (which usually takes a long time to find), a terrace and its own small but nice bathroom. We were absolutely thrilled and can absolutely recommend the accommodation for this price!
A room in Sepilok B&B you can reserve here.

More accommodations in Sepilok

Apart from the nature reserve with the two rehabilitation centers, Sepilok has only a handful of accommodations. Supermarkets and other facilities you will not find. You can eat in the restaurants, which are mostly integrated into the accommodation or in one of the small restaurants of Sepilok.

If the Sepilok B&B should already be booked or not quite your wishes, you can stay in these beautiful accommodations:

  • Nature Lodge Sepilok: This beautiful property is located just a few meters from Sepilok B&B removed. You have the choice whether you would rather stay in one of the private rooms or in the dormitories.
  • Sepilok Nature Resort: These fantastically equipped bungalows are located in an authentic complex in the middle of the jungle near the protection centers. With a little luck, the orangutans will get to the resort.
  • Sepilok Forest Edge Resort: Lovingly furnished chalets in a large garden with pool and a nice lounge to relax.
  • Sepilok Jungle Resort: Charming resort between small lakes with restaurant and large pool to cool off at the end of the day.

Arrival – How to get to Sepilok

If you are not traveling to Borneo on a guided tour then you can go to Sepilok public bus several times a day between Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan. At a crossroads near Sepilok, the driver lets you get out. From there it is still about 1.5 kilometers to Sepilok. Many accommodations have one pick-up service or organize a taxi for you (100 RM), which will pick you up there. It is best to ask your accommodation first if they can organize something.

If you want to use the public bus, then you should definitely reserve a seat, because the buses are usually fully booked. With a bit of luck, you’ll be spontaneously taken along, but then you’ll have to sit in the hallway on a small plastic stool for the entire ride. In the long run and the winding route that will certainly be quite uncomfortable.

We also arrived with a tour from the Kinabatangan River, so this was not a problem and they drove us straight to the center. But the departure was not an issue. Our accommodation owner ordered a taxi to the intersection and booked two places for us on the bus. Except for the heavy rain that passed over us at the crossroads, everything went well. The bus came a bit late, but stopped directly and knew that already two seats were reserved.

Other places of interest in the area

Sepilok is an ideal starting point for other destinations to get to know nature and its inhabitants.

Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary

This center for the cute proboscis monkeys is located in the middle of the mangrove forest along the coast in Labuk Bay. On the Internet, however, one reads conflicting opinions about the station. The palm oil plantations reach up to the area. According to statements in the network is not a rescue center, but wild proboscis monkeys, which are trapped in the mangrove forest. Whether the Chinese owner has left the small patch of jungle to protect the animals or simply to profit from it, I can not judge. We had already seen countless proboscis monkeys in the wonderful Bako National Park and along the Kinabatangan River and left the Proboscis monkey center for the occasion.

Kinabatangan River

Another highlight in East Sabah is a river safari on the Kinabatan River. Usually the tours start by bus in Sandakan, but lead over Sepilok. With a bit of luck, you will be able to observe the rare pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, orangutans, long-tailed macaques, crocodiles and countless birds from the boat. A detailed report and all important information can be found in our Kinabatangan article.

Sandakan

In the harbor town on the north coast we stayed only one night, but this was enough for us. Although Sandakan is anything but touristy compared to Sepilok, it is not a must-see place in Borneo. Usually we love authentic cities, but in Sandakan we did not find a corner that could inspire us.

We felt very comfortable in Sepilok. Too bad that our visa expired, otherwise we would have liked to stay longer! Do you have any questions or have you been in Sepilok? How did you like it? Tell us about it in the comments!

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Hey! Nice that you pass us by. We are Bina & Francis – globetrotters, adventurers and drone freaks. Since January 2015 we travel with camera drone in the luggage around the world. We love to explore our Earth from a new perspective!

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About the author

Hey, I’m a Bina world traveler, media designer and blogger. Since January 2015, I travel with Francis around the world. Always in the luggage is a camera drone, with which we capture the most beautiful places from the air. On our blog we share with you the best tips for your next trip. Do you still have questions about this article? Then write us in the comments!

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Discussions on the topic

Wow what an experience! I want to go there immediately! I’m a little jealous of you;) The bears are really cute!

Hi Marleen, yes the bears were really cute! I could not decide when choosing the pictures. :)
Best regards! Bina

Hello, super nice travel blog We would like to travel to Borneo in October. Can I find the bus connection between Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan on the internet? We are currently not sure how best we Lnach Sandakan thank you

Hello Mona,
sorry for the late reply – maybe she is just in time. We have organized the bus connection from the hotel. We did not know where to find the connections, and let us get help from the reception. Have you found out anything else by now??
Best regards and a nice trip,
Francis

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