Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, RDC and Sun Bear Conservation Centre (September 28 – October 2)

We left at 8:00am on September 28 from Semporna to Sepilok, a forest reserve near Sandakan.  We arrived at Sepilok Jungle Resort in the early afternoon, the place where we will be spending the next 4 nights, checked-in, had lunch and headed to the pool.  We met with Liam, Nadisha, Sara and Stace some friends we met in Mabul Island.

On September 29 we went to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where we experienced the beautiful program the Sabah Wildlife Department is doing to protect and rehabilitate such beautiful animals.  One could spend weeks here watching them interact with each other, play, climb, swing and even act silly.  We spent some time by the feeding platform where the park places some food as a supplement for the wild orang-utans that might not be able to find enough food in the jungle; they can come back to the area for a free feed.

In the afternoon we went to the nursery where we saw around 11 youngsters play and interact with each other and the keepers.  On our way out we stopped by the feeding platform and found a female orang-utan with her youngster.

On September 30 we headed to the Sepilok Rainforest Discovery Centre.  This is another forest reserve with beautiful walks and a canopy walk.  We spent the whole day walking around, looking for birds and learning about Borneo in the visitor centre.

On October 1 we went back to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre… we cannot get enough of these beautiful animals.

On October 2 we visited the Sun Bear Conservation Centre.  This centre is dedicated to the conservation of the smallest bear of all, the sun bear.  This is a good example that a man with a vision and a good heart can make a difference.  Mr. Wong is dedicated to the protection and conservation of these little bears. He is involved not only on the operation of the centre but also in
explaining the visitors about the bears. The centre has around 44 bears, which are developing the skills to be released into Borneo’s jungle.

At 1:30pm we left Sepilok on our way to Kinabatangan River, an area well known for its biodiversity and the river cruises to watch wildlife.

After arrival at Sukau Greenview Bed & Breakfast we had the first cruise, however it was raining too much that we decided not to go and take another one later on instead.  We spent the afternoon by the river and having tea.

In the evening we went on the night cruise, we could see birds, sneaks, lizards and a crocodile.