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Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
poi · MY

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

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Getting around: Sepilok is about 25km from Sandakan, roughly a 30-40 minute drive, with local buses and taxis both serving the route regularly, making it an easy half-day trip from the city.
Hours: 09:00-15:00 (last entry) with feeding times typically at 10:00 and 15:00; closed some public holidays

Sepilok is a rehabilitation center for orphaned and injured orangutans, where visitors watch from a viewing platform as semi-wild orangutans come to a feeding platform in the surrounding forest reserve — not a zoo enclosure, but genuinely free-ranging animals that choose whether to show up. It's widely considered one of the more reliable places in Borneo to see orangutans without deep jungle trekking.

The center is often combined with the adjacent Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, which shares the same general area and ticketing zone, giving visitors a chance to see Sabah's other rehabilitated species — the world's smallest bear — in the same trip.

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre FAQs

Is a sighting guaranteed at Sepilok?

Not 100%, since the orangutans are semi-wild and forage naturally, but sightings at feeding times are fairly reliable, especially outside heavy fruiting season when they're less inclined to visit the platform.

What are the feeding times?

Typically around 10am and 3pm daily — arrive a bit before to get a good viewing spot on the platform.

Can I combine Sepilok with the Sun Bear Centre?

Yes, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre is adjacent and often included on the same ticket or visit, showcasing the world's smallest bear species.

How long should I plan for a visit?

About 2-3 hours to comfortably see both a feeding session and the adjacent sun bear centre.

Is Sepilok better than Semenggoh near Kuching?

Sepilok is generally considered to have a higher number of resident orangutans and somewhat more consistent sightings, though both operate on a similar rehabilitation and feeding-platform model.

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