Sepilok Things to Do Tips by Willettsworld

Visitors Centre

There's an interesting visitors centre that worth a look around where you can read up on all you ever need to know about the furry orange ones along with a large array of cute photos (especially of the babies). There's also a who's who gallery of all the orang-utans that are within the centre with their names, year of birth, distinguishing features and personality traits.

Feeding Time

We turned up with the crowds for the 10 am feeding frenzy and watched in amazement as the orang-utans lazily made their way right past us with one particular chap doing multiple head-over-heel rolls along the boardwalk to the feeding platform. We then watched in amusement as the ever mischievous macaques stole whatever food they could from underneath the platform, right in front of the orang-utans! Feeding times are at 10am & 3pm.

Waiting to be fed

We arrived at the feeding platform about 15 minutes before the 10am feeding and this chap (I assume it's a chap and not a chapess) was waiting rather patiently for some food.

Now everyone say ahhhhhhh!

Yes! Go On! I know you want to say it! Altogether now. Ahhhhhhhhhh! Cute or what?

Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre

The Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre was established in 1964. Its main purpose was to rehabilitate orphaned orang-utans whose habitat was disrupted by logging, deforestation and poaching. Included are orang-utans that were rescued or confiscated from unlicensed owners. The orang-utans are trained to adapt to the jungle environment so that they could be eventually released to the wild. This is done by providing the animals with monotonous food, to encourage them to forage in the jungle on their own.

Located about 25 kilometres to the west of Sandakan, the centre is within the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, which covers an area of 5529 hectares. I had wanted to come here ever since I saw a programme about it, a few years ago on TV and had looked forward to getting here throughout my 6 weeks in Malaysia and it was virtually the last place I visited in the country. We turned up with the crowds for the 10 am feeding frenzy and watched in amazement as the orang-utans lazily made their way right past us with one particular chap doing multiple head-over-heel rolls along the boardwalk to the feeding platform. We then watched in amusement as the ever mischievous macaques stole whatever food they could from underneath the platform, right in front of the orang-utans! As well as seeing these wonderful creatures, you can also visit a Visitors Centre and Shop.

Open: 9am-12pm & 2-4pm daily. Feeding times are at 10am & 3pm.
Admission: RM30 for foreigner plus RM10 for cameras/camcorders.

Directions: Take the local bus, painted blue, with the words "Sepilok Batu 14" from the bus station at the Sandakan market on the waterfront. The fare is RM3.50 for the 30 minute journey. The last bus back to Sandakan leaves at 4:30 pm.