From Sandakan we visited two sanctuaries: the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre in the Kabil-Sepilok Forest Reserve on January 19 and the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary on January 23.
Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre
I felt like we could have watched these guys forever: swinging this way and that, eating, and holding their babies as they go. Feeding time went for around 30 minutes and was as you would expect: a bit of a show and spectacle. It seems like the centre is doing important work rehabilitating orphaned and injured orang utan's before returning them to the wild.
As well as seeing the feeding, make sure you look around the nursery where the baby orang utan's are trained to climb. The forest walk is also great for insect, bird spotting and being amongst nature.
Tips for visiting:
Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary.
The proboscis monkey can only be found in Borneo and I was especially keen to see these guys during our time in Sabah. Though we wanted some more time with these guys post-jungle trip, we were glad that we visited these very tame sanctuary monkeys second because spotting them along the river was much more exciting. Though I was alarmed at how close the monkeys were used to humans getting (and that this was encouraged), I did enjoy seeing the proboscis monkeys various expressions up close.
I did wonder if the sanctuary (interestingly created by a local palm-plantation owner) was perhaps more about profiting from tourists and less about providing a sanctuary for the proboscis monkey's. Apparently the plan is to grow regrow the mangroves (taken for palm plantations). It is hard to say how these tame creatures could then fend for themselves.
There are three feeding times: 11:40am, 2:30pm, (platform A) 4:30pm (deeper into jungle platform B). We went to the afternoon feeding times. The monkeys are given pancakes and cucumber. At platform B there were also tame silver leaf monkeys being fed.
There was not a whole lot to do in between them and our guide offered to take us somewhere else. Eager to spend less time in the car we said we were okay to hang out at platform B until it was time. However when we got there an informative and entertaining documentary ("Biggest Nose in Borneo") was quickly organised for us. It felt like a monkey drama that explored the devastation that human invasion can have on the creatures homes. I wonder if the sanctuary is a case of doing something is better than doing nothing. I think the verdict is out for me.
Tips for visiting:
Sandakan
We were in and out of Sandakan a fair bit using the Seaview Budget Backpackers as our base. It was a good hostel and the cafe upstairs with its pumpkin lemongrass curry is well worth a visit. Whilst in Sandakan we visited an English tea house, the market, followed a heritage trail and walked around town.
Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre
I felt like we could have watched these guys forever: swinging this way and that, eating, and holding their babies as they go. Feeding time went for around 30 minutes and was as you would expect: a bit of a show and spectacle. It seems like the centre is doing important work rehabilitating orphaned and injured orang utan's before returning them to the wild.
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| Swinging along |
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| Orang Utan mother and baby |
As well as seeing the feeding, make sure you look around the nursery where the baby orang utan's are trained to climb. The forest walk is also great for insect, bird spotting and being amongst nature.
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| Little rolly bug |
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| Spotted before we learnt from Teo the master jungle spotter |
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| Worth the walk |
Tips for visiting:
- If you want to see the next-door Sun Bears, do it on the same day as if you do your ticket will get you into both
- Bring shoes and do the walk (Muddy but rewarding!)
- There are free lockers to leave bags (most items not allowed in)
- Get there before feeding time to watch the Orang Utan's arrive
- To get there from Sandakan you can take a mini bus that takes one hour (RM5), a taxi is half the time but much more expensive
- Consider staying at Sepilok as depending on what you are planning, it could be a great base
- Other fees: camera RM10
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| Potentially useful bus timetable SANDAKAN to SEPILOK |
Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary.
The proboscis monkey can only be found in Borneo and I was especially keen to see these guys during our time in Sabah. Though we wanted some more time with these guys post-jungle trip, we were glad that we visited these very tame sanctuary monkeys second because spotting them along the river was much more exciting. Though I was alarmed at how close the monkeys were used to humans getting (and that this was encouraged), I did enjoy seeing the proboscis monkeys various expressions up close.
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| I have a big nose |
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| Mother (smaller nose) with baby |
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| Always on show! |
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| Guess who is boss? |
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| Munch munch |
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| Baby |
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| Sleepy time |
I did wonder if the sanctuary (interestingly created by a local palm-plantation owner) was perhaps more about profiting from tourists and less about providing a sanctuary for the proboscis monkey's. Apparently the plan is to grow regrow the mangroves (taken for palm plantations). It is hard to say how these tame creatures could then fend for themselves.
There are three feeding times: 11:40am, 2:30pm, (platform A) 4:30pm (deeper into jungle platform B). We went to the afternoon feeding times. The monkeys are given pancakes and cucumber. At platform B there were also tame silver leaf monkeys being fed.
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| Silver leaf monkey |
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| Time to pee: he knew he was on camera! |
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| Same same |
There was not a whole lot to do in between them and our guide offered to take us somewhere else. Eager to spend less time in the car we said we were okay to hang out at platform B until it was time. However when we got there an informative and entertaining documentary ("Biggest Nose in Borneo") was quickly organised for us. It felt like a monkey drama that explored the devastation that human invasion can have on the creatures homes. I wonder if the sanctuary is a case of doing something is better than doing nothing. I think the verdict is out for me.
Tips for visiting:
- Only go if you are expecting tame monkey's and okay with that
- It is difficult to get to independently. We organised a half-day- tour from Sandakan (negotiated to RM160)
Sandakan
We were in and out of Sandakan a fair bit using the Seaview Budget Backpackers as our base. It was a good hostel and the cafe upstairs with its pumpkin lemongrass curry is well worth a visit. Whilst in Sandakan we visited an English tea house, the market, followed a heritage trail and walked around town.
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| Caterpillar on Sandakan walk |
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| A proper English gentleman...for a day |
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