Travel Guide Sepilok

Sepilok has become an important tourist center thanks to the presence of an orangutan preservation center. Opened in 1964 by the Sabah government thanks to the efforts of Barbara Harrison, the center was made necessary by the precariousness of the primates' habitat. Orphaned babies are taken in by the center, which then rehabilitates them for life in the wild in the Kabili-Sepilok forest, now a reserve. Open to the public, tourists come to watch the monkeys slide along ropes to access a feeding platform. The orangutans aren't the only ones to appreciate the bananas handed out by park employees... The macaques are not to be outdone, and are particularly shy... even a little invasive. Some days, when there are many visitors, the encounter is less enjoyable. If possible, avoid weekends and school vacations. Given the growing success of this adventure, a second center, dedicated to Malay bears, has also opened its doors to the public right next door. Sepilok has become a major wildlife conservation center, and its work is unrivalled elsewhere in Malaysia. However, feedback is varied. Most travelers return delighted with their time spent in the company of animals in semi-liberty. Others, however, regret the artificiality of the observation and criticize the commercial exploitation. It's up to the visitor to make his or her own choice; observation is carried out under precise conditions where nothing is left to chance. There is also a very interesting primary equatorial forest discovery center.