02 February 2014

Sandakan to Sepilok

We hadn’t managed to get the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) on our previous trip to Sepilok, as the orangutans had monopolised our time and attention on the first day at the Rehabilitation Sanctuary.  So on Valentine’s Day, our last day in Sandakan, we returned to Sepilok area and spent the day at the RDC.  Our intention was to enjoy the bird-watching opportunities that we hadn’t really done to yet.

With ominous weather looming, we brought along rain ponchos and also a few snacks to see us through lunch time should we be distracted by the array of colourful birds that we hoped to see.

Rainforest Discovery Centre

We started the day with a stroll along the canopy walkway, punctuated with long rest periods at the various seated viewing sites along the way.  At the broadbill tower, we stopped and admired some of the bird-life (although not the elusive broadbill itself) and had a couple of snacks while we looked over at the dam and its surrounding tree tops.

All of a sudden, H noticed a bright orange blur on the far side of the dam and the orange blur continued to jump down from tree to tree, from the highest point of the canopy to the lower level forest.  Excited, but without a pair of binoculars to confirm, we headed off in the direction of the orange blur’s final destination in hopes of seeing a monkey or some other creature.

Turns out, it was a small orangutan! A real, live, wild orangutan in the forest where we had only expected to be seeing birds and bugs.  We strained our necks and happily watched him for at least an hour, eating and playing on one of the lower trees.

As happens regularly, there was suddenly a downpour and while we were grabbing our ponchos, the orangutan was quickly constructing a nest of leaves and sticks to shelter himself from the ensuing rain.  It was amazing to watch him build a nest and search for bigger leaves and longer sticks when the smaller ones didn’t cover him sufficiently. We were forced to seek shelter as the rain got harder and harder and we hid out in a small hut until the worst of the storm had passed.

We also saw some amazing birdlife and a Great Red flying squirrel as we were walking later that day.

Getting there

From Sandankan, Number 14 Bus (Sepilok), ask to get out at Rainforest Discovery Centre (it is 2km before the Orangutan reserve and about 1km from the main junction roundabout). take the same route as for Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre (Sepilok reserve covers this whole area).

TIP: Take binoculars – you are going to get much more out of the experience that way.

Entrance Fee: MYR 15 per person

For suggested itineraries for Sepilok, click here.