[Sarawak] Semenggoh Orang Utan Sanctuary

• Ticket price: RM5 for adults; RM3 for senior citizens; RM2 for child below 18 years old

• Highlights: Orang Utan Feeding Time

• Location: Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

• Nearby bus stop: Bus route no.6

• Opening hour: Daily 8:00AM-10:00AM and 2:00PM-4:00PM

Located 1 hour drive from Kuching, the Semenggoh Wildlife Center is a sanctuary dedicated as a rehab for Orang Utans. The orang utans are domestic animals, meaning they are dependent on human for food and shelter. Due to that, they are becoming endangered when left in the jungle. Hence, the government build the Semenggoh Orang Utan Sanctuary as a base to train the orang utans to be self-dependent.

The sanctuary is actually nothing more than a platform for feeding in the forest. The orang utans are encouraged to hunt for their own food and live on their own. However, for those who are not used to the independent living, they will come back to the sanctuary where all their basic necessities are provided for. Currently there are close to 30 orang utans that still comes back to the sanctuary.

During the visit, visitors are often reminded of falling branches. The orang utans build their nest on top of the tree from branches. When it gets too dry and poky, they will abandon their nest and build a new one. The abandoned fragile nest often fall onto visitors due to strong wind. And visitors are also discouraged from talking or taking photos with flash. This will trigger the bad-tempered orang utan.

Currently, the oldest orang utan here is 40 years old and the heaviest named Ritchie is about 30 years old.

If you are a nature lover, the orang utan sanctuary gives you an opportunity to experience the wild life of orang utan. Considering that the orang utans are endangered (with possibility of extinction), it is not a chance that you should be missing. Be sure to be there during the feeding time, daily 9am - 10am and 3pm - 4pm.