Wildlife guide
This wildlife travel guide is meant to be like a trailer for the new Attenborough series. Because we also have individual travel guides for more specific wildlife holidays, such as our safaris, bear watching and whale watching.
Best time to see orangutans
Unlike many other species, orangutans neither migrate nor hibernate, and their two natural homes are free from cyclones and tornadoes.![]()
In theory, orangutans can be seen year-round, especially in the rehabilitation centres and sanctuaries, where the question of when to see orangutans only concerns the set feeding times. November to February can be soggy, though, with most of the rain falling mid-afternoon in monsoon-style downpours, so jungle hikes can end up being pretty miserable in these months, and leeches more prevalent. However, there are savings on both flights and accommodation to be made by travelling in the low season. Shop around, and you might snag a bargain.
Sepilok (Sabah) Weather Chart
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
23
29
443
FEB
23
30
278
MAR
24
31
188
APR
24
32
120
MAY
24
32
154
JUN
23
32
190
JUL
23
32
184
AUG
23
32
241
SEP
23
32
231
OCT
23
32
230
NOV
23
31
300
DEC
23
30
435
Our Orangutan Holidays
Borneo orangutan holiday
Trekking, wildlife and beach adventure holiday to Borneo
From
£3650
14 days
inc UK flights
Borneo tour, Great Apes and Beach escapes
Explore bustling cities, lush jungles and paradise beaches.
From
£1658
9 days
ex flights
Sarawak wildlife & beach holiday
Encounter orangutans and hike through virgin rainforest
From
£1260 to £1480
10 days
ex flights
Borneo tailor made holidays, wildlife & beaches
A luxury tour of the best wildlife & beaches of Sabah
From
£2965
15 days
ex flights
Orangutan photography in Borneo
Develop your photography skills in Borneo
From
£2575
10 days
ex flights
Borneo 8 day tour, the wild heart of Borneo
A unique experience in the untouched, beautiful Sarawak.
From
£855
8 days
ex flights
When to watch orangutans
Our top Orangutan Holiday
Borneo orangutan holiday
Trekking, wildlife and beach adventure holiday to Borneo
From
£3650
14 days
inc UK flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
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
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The best time to see orangutans
Nicki Hollamby, a Borneo expert at our tailor made holiday specialists Audley Travel, shares her advice on when to see orangutans: “If you are spending the day at Sepilok, I always suggest you go to the afternoon feeding in your own time because although there are fewer orangutans, there are also fewer people.”
Kate Tyler, from our partner Odyssey World, on when to see orangutans:
“If you are looking to go to the Kinabatangan River area, I would avoid going earlier than about March or April, or in December, because the weather is atrocious. The rain is so heavy. It can be a year-round destination but when the rain is at its heaviest it can really hinder your experience. It can be really humid. Peak is probably from end of April through to October, so it’s perfect for a summer holiday destination – but it does get really busy.”
“If you are looking to go to the Kinabatangan River area, I would avoid going earlier than about March or April, or in December, because the weather is atrocious. The rain is so heavy. It can be a year-round destination but when the rain is at its heaviest it can really hinder your experience. It can be really humid. Peak is probably from end of April through to October, so it’s perfect for a summer holiday destination – but it does get really busy.”
Tom Hewitt, founder of our supplier Adventure Alternative Borneo, shares advice on when to see orangutans: “It’s an all-year-round destination really. That’s the great thing about it. It doesn’t have huge typhoons like the Philippines, or monsoons like other parts of Southeast Asia. There’s no volcanoes, no earthquakes... If you’re doing serious trekking then you don’t want to go in the rainy season. But other than that it’s great year-round.“
More about Orangutan
Only two islands in the world are home to the orangutan: Borneo and Sumatra. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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".
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