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If you are planning on traveling to Borneo in the near future, it’s probably because you hope to spot the endangered orangutan. Borneo is, together with Sumatra, the only place in the world where these primates are found. While spotting wild orangutans is certainly possible in Borneo, especially around the Kinabatangan River in Sabah, there are also conservation projects in Borneo that focus on the rehabilitation of orangutans that have, for instance, been saved from the illegal pet trade or youngsters who’s mother was killed. One of these projects that you can visit in Sarawak is the Semenggoh Wildlife Center which is found inside the Semenggoh Nature Reserve.
Entrance of Semenggoh Nature Reserve
Semenggoh Nature Reserve is a nature reserve in Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo. It was established in 1975 as a sanctuary for orangutans who had been held captive as pets, were injured, or needed to be orphaned.
Aside from orangutans, the reserve is home to a diverse array of fauna and flora like gibbons, pigmy squirrels, giant squirrels, and many birds. The nature reserve also houses a small gallery where visitors can learn about the behavior and life of orangutans and a botanical research center where visitors can admire a large array of both domestic as well as international plant species.
A young orangutan @ Semenggoh Wildlife Center
The Semenggoh Wildlife Center is what draws conscious travelers to Semenggoh Nature Reserve and for good reason. Here you can spot semi-wild orangutans who occasionally swing down from the trees to get some food from their caretaker.
All the orangutans at Semenggoh Wildlife Center have either been saved from the illegal pet industry, are orphaned here because their mother was killed, or were found injured in the wild and unable to survive on their own.
The rescued orangutans get proper treatment at Semenggoh Wildlife Center before they start a rehabilitation program. During this program, the orangutans are trained in multiple ways. They learn, for example, how to forage for food on their own and how to build a nest to sleep in at night.
Anwar, the boss of Semenggoh Nature Reserve.
The orangutans roam freely in the nature reserve where they forage food on their own and interact with other orangutans. At certain times of the day, their caretakers will give them some extra pieces of fruit at the so-called ‘feeding platforms’.
This feeding area is where visitors can witness these endangered creatures. Be conscious though that sightings are not guaranteed. During fruit season in Sarawak (November to June), there is enough fruit in the forest and the orangutans might not show themselves at all. This is actually a good thing. It means that the orangutan can take care of himself on his own.
Visiting Semenggoh is a completely different experience than seeing the Proboscis monkeys in Bako National Park, but it is definitely worth the trip!
Mini Gallery
You can visit the mini gallery and enjoy the flora of the nature reserve but, let”s be honest. If you come to Semenggoh you are probably here for one thing: to catch a glimpse of the majestic orangutans.
Further down this post, I will give you all the information you need to make your visit and experience at Semenggoh as smooth as possible.
orangutans @ Semenggoh Nature Reserve
Firstly, you’ll need to get to the Nature Reserve which is the most easily accessible from Kuching. You’ll also need to arrive there at the right time since there are only two feeding sessions a day and you are not allowed into the park at any other time of the day. Let’s dive into it!
The public bus @ Semenggoh Nature Reserve
How to get to Semenggoh Wildlife Center is probably one of the first questions that pop into your mind. The easiest gateway to Semenggoh Nature Reserve is Kuching which is 20 kilometers away.
There are a lot of accommodation options in Kuching and there aren’t any near Semmengghoh Nature Reserve. There are also no restaurants near Semenggoh Nature Reserve, so Kuching is the best choice you can make.
We decided to stay at a guesthouse in a local kampung about 23 kilometers away from Semenggoh Nature Reserve to experience a more local vibe. This was a wrong decision since there was no public transport or Grab in the kampungs around Kuching and we had to pay for a very expensive taxi ride if we wanted to get to Semenggoh Nature Reserve. We eventually ended up hitchhiking, which went pretty well but is not convenient if you don’t have much time on your hands.
The best place to stay to visit the Orangutan Wildlife Center is Kuching. However, if a stay in a local kampung and hitchhiking your way to Semenggoh appeals more to you then drop a comment below or contact me through my contact page and I will let you know where we stayed!
From Kuching, there are five ways to reach Semenggoh Nature Reserve. By bus, by Grab, by Maxim, by car, and by going on a tour.
There is a public bus running from Kuching to Semenggoh Nature Reserve a few times a day. You can check the timetable and the bus stops here.
We were able to catch this bus to Kuching from the road near Semenggoh since we arrived there too early for the afternoon feeding time. We were able to get on it for free to a few local restaurants near the tenth mile on the outskirts of Kuching.
However, when we wanted to get the bus back to Semenggoh Nature Reserve it didn’t come through. We hitchhiked our way back to Semenggoh and the friendly local who drove us told us that the buses run irregularly during the rainy season and can’t really be counted on (we visited in November).
It is, however, the cheapest option to get from Kuching to Semenggoh Nature Reserve. We got on it for free and normally you only need to pay RM 1 for a ride.
Grab is taxi app that is very popular in Kuching and in other smaller cities around Sarawak. It is by far the most convenient way to get around and the user interface is very user-friendly. You can download the app before your trip using your own mobile number to avoid any inconvenience. It can be a bit of a hassle to do in Malaysia with a local sim card.
At the time of our visit, a Grab ride to Semenggoh Nature Reserve from the center of Kuching cost RM 31 one way.
Maxim is another taxi app that is widely used in Kuching. The price for a Maxim is cheaper but the interface of the app is less user-friendly. We used this app a few times during our time in Kuching and, while the price for a ride is cheaper, we didn’t experience any difference in the quality of the cars or the service from the drivers.
At the time of our visit, a Maxim ride to Semenggoh Nature Reserve from the center of Kuching cost RM 23 one way.
Because of the limited options regarding public transportation in Sarawak, a lot of travelers opt to rent a car so they can easily reach natural attractions and off-the-beaten-path places. Do note that in Sarawak, seats or located on the right side of the cars and driving happens on the left side of the road.
If that is not a problem and you have the budget to rent a car then check out Skyscanner for the best deals. You should be able to find a car for around € 30/day during low season.
If you would like to enjoy Semenggoh Nature Reserve on an organized tour then there are a few local travel agencies that offer trips to the Orangutan Wildlife Center. Borneo Adventure offers a half-day tour for RM 95 per person. It includes a pick-up, the entrance fee, and an English-speaking guide.
Booking.com: For the best cheap guesthouses and homestays or small hotels
Hostelworld: To find the best hostels located in the cities
Homestay: For unique immersive homestays
Public transport in Sarawak is not abundant. If you want to get to some remote places you will have to turn to travel agencies or, like us, hitchhike! Here are the best resources we found online:
12GO: The best transport website for long-distance buses and flights in Sarawak.
GRAB: for taxi rides in cities and nearby attractions.
MAXIM: a slightly cheaper alternative to Grab but doesn’t drive as far outside of city centers as Grab cars.
Note that there is a local bus service that is operated by the government to Lundu and Sematan. It cannot be booked online and there is no information to be found online. It leaves from the Boulevard Mall in Kuching and only costs RM 1. Ask Grab or Maxim drivers about this local bus or ask around at the Sentral Bus Complex where the long-distance buses leave. Most Sarawakians have their own car and will not be able to help you. As far as I know, there is only one bus/per day.
There is a public bus system in Kuching but there is also little information online and most of the time it is not up to date. For the most recent routes and travel times check out the information at the bus station at the open-air market in Kuching. These buses also go to Bako National Park and Semenggoh Nature Reserve and only cost RM 1.
STICKY RICE TRAVEL: The best sustainable travel agency in Malaysian Borneo.
BORNEO ADVENTURE: another reputable travel agency organizing trips to Mulu National Park and Tanjung Datu.
KUCHING KARL FROM “SECRET SARAWAK ADVENTURES”: If you are looking for a different experience aside from the regular tours then don’t hesitate to contact Kuching Karl! He is affiliated with Woodpecker Lodge in Kuching and operates customized trips in 4×4 trucks at prices lower than the travel agencies. He is also the only tour guide that specializes in the best local food around Kuching and incorporates visits to “hidden gem restaurants” into his trips. You can get in touch with him through Woodpecker Lodge or Whatsapp him at +60199158965.
Ticket booth of Semenggoh Nature Reserve
Semenggoh Nature Reserve is open every day between 8 A.M. and 10 A.M. and 2 P.M. and 4 P.M. Outside of these hours it is forbidden to enter the park. Unlike many other attractions in Sarawak, they are also open on public holidays.
Entrance ticket to Semenggoh Nature Reserve
The entrance fee for foreign tourists is RM 10 whereas for domestic travelers its RM 5. Children below the age of six can get in for free. From the age of six, the entrance fee is RM 5 for foreign children and RM 2 for Malaysian children.
Disabled people also get a discount which makes the entrance fee RM 5 for foreigners and RM 3 for domestic travelers.
Anwar, the boss of Semenggoh Nature Reserve
The feeding times are the most important moment of your visit to Semengghoh. The morning feeding time is from 9 A.M. to 10 A.M. The afternoon feeding time is from 3 P.M. to 4 P.M.
When we visited Semengghoh Nature Reserve, we were told at the ticket booth that we were in luch because the orangutans were already there, hanging around at the feeding platform. We were in luck because at the time of our visit, it was “fruit season” and the chance to actually see an orangutan was very slim.
We saw three orangutans and they kept hanging around the feeding platforms from 2 P.M. to 4 P.M.
Note that the information about the orangutans on the website is not up to date. It states that a male named Ritchie is the Alpha male of the group but at the time of this writing the Alpha Male is called Anwar. They suspect that Ritchie was fully rehabilitated and went back to the wild.
Seduku – The grandmother of the orangutans is already 51 years old @ Semmenghoh Wildlife Center
Yes! Semenggoh Wildlife Center is an ethical organization that is run by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation. This organization is supported by the government of Sarawak. Its mission is to conserve the natural places in Sarawak (they also protect other national parks in Sarawak), including the conservation of orangutans in the Semenggoh Nature Reserve.
In 2020, they won an award for being the best sustainable tourism program at the World Tourism Awards.
🙂
There are two other orangutan sanctuaries in Borneo, the Matang Wildlife Centre in Sarawak and the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center in Sabah.
While the Orangutan Rehabilitation Center in Sepilok gets great reviews, the Matang wildlife centre receives quite the opposite. A lot of travelers complain at Tripadvisor and other review sites that the animals at Matang Wildlife Centre are stressed and kept in cages.
This actually kept us from going there as we didn’t want to be confronted with these kinds of horror. However, digging deeper into the issue, we read that the Matang Wildlife Centre is actually affiliated with Semenggoh Wildlife Center and that orangutans that cannot be rehabilitated anymore are kept there.
I am not sure if this is true or what to think about this. If anyone has more information about this, please let me know in the comments below!
Kuching, Sarawak, Borneo.
Kuching is a laid-back city with a cute waterfront and is the ideal place to base yourself for a couple of days of sightseeing. The center of Kuching is quite compact and is easily explorable on foot. The waterfront is the place where the action happens in the evening while the Chinese neighborhood around Jalan Padungan houses some great restaurants, especially for vegan travelers.
These are some recommended places to stay in Kuching:
There you go! I hope you enjoyed this guide about Semenggoh Nature Reserve. If you would travel to Sarawak and obtain any up-to-date information about the Matang Wildlife Center I would appreciate it if you could share this!
Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions or drop me a message through my contact page.
Also, don’t forget to check out my resources page with my favorite booking platforms and tips to start planning your trip. Additionally, have a look at my favorite travel gear if you want to pack more consciously!
ENJOY!
Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links. If you click on them, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and yourself!
On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more!
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