While specific admission fees are not listed, entry to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is typically included when booking a dedicated tour package. These packages ensure a hassle-free visit, often combining entry with transportation and guided experiences. You can conveniently book such comprehensive tours through KKday, which provides a seamless reservation process and ensures all necessary arrangements are handled for you, allowing you to focus on the experience.
Visiting these centers offers a unique opportunity to witness Borneo's incredible wildlife up close while supporting vital conservation efforts. At the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, you can observe orangutans in a semi-wild environment, especially during their feeding sessions, which aids their rehabilitation. The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre provides insights into the smallest bear species, allowing you to learn about their rescue and rehabilitation and observe them in spacious enclosures that mimic their natural habitat. This combined experience is highly educational and impactful.
The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre typically has scheduled feeding sessions designed to supplement the orangutans' diet and offer visitors an opportunity to observe them. While specific timings can vary and are often confirmed upon arrival or via official channels, these sessions are a key highlight of the visit. It's recommended to check the latest schedule directly at the center or with your tour provider to ensure you don't miss this unique viewing experience.
To maximize your chances of observing the animals, it's generally best to visit during the scheduled feeding times at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, as orangutans are more likely to be present. For both centers, arriving earlier in the morning can offer a quieter experience and sometimes more active wildlife viewing before the peak crowds. The sun bears are active throughout the day, often seen foraging and climbing in their spacious enclosures.
Orangutans at the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre can be observed year-round. However, the dry season, generally from March to October, might offer slightly more comfortable visiting conditions with less rain. During these months, the forest trails are typically easier to navigate. Regardless of the season, the scheduled feeding sessions provide consistent opportunities to see the orangutans.
From Sandakan Airport, visitors can typically reach the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre by taxi or pre-arranged private transfer. Taxis are readily available at the airport. Many tour packages offered on KKday provide convenient round-trip transportation from the airport or local hotels, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free journey directly to the centers and back.
Public transportation from Sandakan city to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is available, primarily via local buses or shared vans. These services usually depart from specific points in Sandakan city center and head towards Sepilok. It is advisable to inquire locally about current schedules and pick-up locations, as these can be subject to change. For a more direct and convenient option, private taxis or ride-sharing services are also widely available.
Beyond observing feeding sessions at the Orangutan Centre, visitors can explore boardwalks through the lush rainforest, offering opportunities to spot other local wildlife. The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre provides interpretive exhibits and a dedicated viewing platform, allowing guests to learn extensively about sun bear conservation, their unique behaviors, and the challenges they face in the wild. Both centers emphasize educational aspects, enhancing understanding of Borneo's biodiversity and conservation efforts.