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Orangutan watching travel guide

Only two islands in the world are home to the orangutan: Borneo and Sumatra. These long-limbed, flame coloured apes look like wise old men with their shaggy fur and wrinkled faces. Find out the best places to spot them swinging through the trees in their native forests as well as up close in superb sanctuaries in our orangutan watching travel guide.

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Orangutan watching travel guide

‘Orang-hutan’ means ‘person of the forest’, and this term was originally used to refer to forest dwelling humans as well as their shaggy, branch swinging counterparts, who share over 96 percent of our DNA. Their excitable “longcalls” resonate around the canopy, drawing eyes to rust red fur amid the leafy treetops.

Orangutans are only endemic to the far flung islands of Borneo and Sumatra, yet each year, thousands make the pilgrimage here to see the dwindling numbers that remain, despite long haul flights, high costs and the fact that interaction is not permitted. The lure of seeing something so unique and intelligent – which may cease to exist within a few decades – is powerful, and each visit to a sanctuary, rehabilitation centre or remaining tract of virgin rainforest supports the conservation of these creatures for future generations.

It's not hard to see why the orangutan was anthropomorphised so – these long-limbed apes are wise old men with grizzled brows and groomed, auburn beards.

The isolated forests still shelter a marvellous menagerie, including proboscis monkeys, hornbills, slow lorises and pygmy elephants, so tracking orangutans reveals a whole, wonderful world of weird wildlife. Read our orangutan watching guide to find out more.

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Is orangutan watching for you?

Go on an orangutan watching holiday if...

... you want to contribute to their conservation. Rehabilitation centre visits help keep these much needed sanctuaries open, while forest treks demonstrate the value of keeping their natural habitat intact. ... you love getting off the beaten track. Sabah is about as “Westernised” as any of these destinations get, but if you’re watching them in Kalimantan or Sumatra, you’re really heading into the wilderness. ... you want to understand the bigger picture. The future of orangutans depends on the government, local communities, farming practices, dams, wildlife traffickers... and not just on a couple of rehabilitation centres. So come with an open mind, and ask questions.

Don't go on an orangutan watching holiday if...

...you want to cuddle them. Orangutans are genetically very similar to humans and can catch diseases from us; a common cold can kill a young orangutan fast. ...you want to see babies. Most rehabilitation centres keep their tinier residents in separate enclosures away from the crowds until they’re big enough to fend for themselves. ...you don’t like stepping out of your comfort zone. Borneo and Sumatra are a long way from home, the food is different, the jungle is untamed, and even seeing orangutans in a sanctuary requires a certain amount of walking in heat, humidity and bug filled forests. ...you’re freaked out by leeches, or mosquitoes, or mud! That wild orangutans still have some unspoiled forests is something to be celebrated – and that means accepting all the creepy crawlies that come with it.

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Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about Orangutan or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Watching orangutans

Watching orangutans can generally be done in two ways: in rehabilitation centres and sanctuaries, and in the wild. The former is the most popular option, as it offers a greater chance of seeing the orangutans, and is much more accessible. Some centres do have caged individuals – as they may need extra care, or be waiting for transferral to a more permanent home in the sanctuary. The big attraction are the twice-daily feeding times, where semi wild orangutans who have been reintroduced into protected areas of forest clamber down from the canopy to visit the feeding platforms. You’ll see them up close but interaction is not allowed, and sanctuary staff will do their best to keep wandering individuals away from the tourists. Sometimes you can also walk through the sanctuary forests with a researcher, who will give you more information on the orangutans, and the work carried out by the centres.

Tracking orangutans in the wild is quite a different experience. You may be on foot or in a boat, and jungle expeditions may last several days – with no guarantee of sightings. For this reason it is important to choose a knowledgeable, experienced guide who can talk about all the other wonders of the forest, rather than focusing on this one goal. If you do see them they may simply be orange blobs in the treetops – but those who have been lucky enough to observe this claim it is a far more moving and meaningful experience than seeing them in the sanctuaries.

Hardcore travellers also have a third option – volunteering. Contrary to popular belief, this does not include any handling of the orangutans themselves, as diseases are easily spread and long quarantine periods would be necessary.

Volunteer work generally involves cleaning out cages, and building fences, enclosures and structures for the orangutans to climb on – volunteers should be physically fit, especially given the heat and humidity.

A brief History

At the turn of the 20th century, an estimated 315,000 wild orangutans inhabited the impenetrable tropical forests of Sumatra and Borneo; today that number stands at just over 60,000. Bornean and Sumatran orangutans are two distinct species, and the Sumatran orangutan has suffered the most – just 6,600 are estimated to remain on the island and the species is classified as critically endangered. Read more

More about Orangutan

When to see orangutans

You can see orangutans any time of year - especially if you're heading to one of the superb sanctuaries or rehabilitation centres. But if you're also planning to head to the beach, Mount Kinabalu or the jungle, read our advice on when to see orangutans.

Best place to see orangutans

Borneo and Sumatra are the only places you can see orangutans in the wild. Both Sumatra and the Indonesian region of Kalimantan, in Borneo, are somewhat more intrepid destinations, while the Malaysian provinces of Sabah and Sarawak are easier to get around.

Best place to see orangutans in the wild

Most travellers head to the rehabilitation sanctuaries to see orangutans in Borneo and Sumatra. But there are plenty of places to see orangutans in their natural habitat, too. Read our guide to find out the best places to see orangutans in the wild.

Borneo wildlife

Orangutans are supremely adapted for life in the rainforest, but they are not the only unusual creatures you are likely to encounter here. Track sun bears in the forest; spy comically ugly proboscis monkeys; and watch out for slow lorises on night walks.

Volunteering with orangutans in Sarawak

Orangutans are only found naturally on Borneo and Sumatra, yet each year thousands go on orangutan volunteering holidays to see the numbers that remain. Each visit to a sanctuary or rehabilitation centre supports the conservation of these creatures.

Orangutan watching with kids

Seeing orangutans is a surprisingly family friendly option, but only if you do your research and read up on the best places for watching orangutans with kids. Take a look at our guide to find out if Sabah or Sarawak is for you and the sprogs.

Orangutan watching tips

We've spoken to our holiday companies working in Borneo and Sumatra and asked them for their best orangutan watching tips. From wild orangutans vs. sanctuaries to how to support local communities - read their orangutan watching advice here.

Responsible orangutan watching

Orangutans are highly endangered across their range, so responsible orangutan watching is the only way to go. Find out more about volunteering, deforestation, and how to support the communities that live alongside these "old men of the forest".