Orangutan conservation in Sarawak
When is a sanctuary not a sanctuary? When it is in Sarawak. Because the legal definition of places that are created in order to protect and conserve the highly endangered orangutans of Sarawak, the largest state in Malaysian Borneo, is quite simply ‘an area’. Which is wonderfully simple, as it automatically stops visitors from imagining these special places to be zoos or wildlife parks. Wildlife conservation areas are far from that; they are zoned off areas of wilderness habitats where orangutans can still live safely, but where they have become ‘habituated’, in order that experts can help feed, breed and undertake every deed possible to keep the rapidly dwindling populations from dying out altogether.
Orangutan volunteering in Borneo
Volunteer at an award-winning orangutan rehabilitation centre in Malaysian Borneo
From
£795 to £1995
8 days
ex flights
Sarawak wildlife & beach holiday
Encounter orangutans and hike through virgin rainforest
From
£1207 to £1535
10 days
ex flights
Wild Borneo holiday, private departure
Highlights of Malaysian Borneo including Deramakot
From
£5625
18 days
inc UK flights
Borneo wildlife holiday, Sarawak
A light trekking and jungle adventure holiday in Sarawak
From
£3275
14 days
inc UK flights
Sarawak and Sabah tour, Orangutans & Ibans
Explore Borneo's unique culture, heritage and wildlife
From
£2006
13 days
ex flights
Borneo culture, nature & wildlife tour
Sizzling street food, indigenous culture, wildlife & beaches
From
£2497
14 days
ex flights
And when is a conservation holiday not a holiday? When it is in Sarawak. Because in general, they are referred to as ‘projects’ or ‘volunteering placements’. As extraordinary as they are, in that conservation volunteers are making a difference between life and death, they are not holidays in the conventional sense of the word. They are all-hands-on-deck trips to save this ‘old man of the forest’ – which is how the word orangutan translates from the Malay. JUST 100 years ago over 300,000 orangutans roamed the forests of Borneo and the neighbouring island of Sumatra. Today, there are thought to be only around 100,000 in Borneo in total, most of them lost due to habitat destruction for logging, forest clearing for farming and forest fires. So, this is serious conservation work, where volunteers won’t be able to have direct contact with orangutans, due to the high risk of them catching human disease; even a common cold could kill a baby orangutan. However, the work is invaluable, ranging from cleaning cages that house injured and rescued orangutans, planting fruit trees to re-establish all important habitats or building structures for them to swing on. So holidays they are not. Heroic acts of conservation, they certainly are.
Volunteering with or visiting orangutan conservation areas in Sarawak often starts within just half an hour of arriving in its capital, Kuching, at the Matang Wildlife Centre. Located within Kubah National Park, this refuge for rescued orangutans is in a contained area of rainforest where the animals are nursed in preparation for, hopefully, their re-release. Day visitors can observe feeding sessions, while longer volunteer placements include working on the infrastructure and learning animal husbandry techniques. Then onto the Semenggoh Orangutan Centre, again caring for semi-wild orangutans which have been injured or orphaned, or kept illegally as pets. Semi-rehabilitated adults are most likely to be spotted out and about at feeding times, when they dangle on vines carefree and Gene Kelly-like with their graceful movements, just swinging in the rain. Read more about volunteering with orangutans
Orangutans are eerily human and, ironically, many conservationists believe that it is this similarity to humans (they share 96 percent of our DNA) that has endangered them so. Hopefully it is payback time now, however, and humans can be the ones to save them from their almost terminal diagnosis. A lot of conservation organisations focus not only on rehabilitation and reproduction, but also a complete re-education of local communities for whom orangutans have just been pests in the past. Or a source of income or, sometimes, just pets, which of course kills them. Conservation organisations also focus on re-educating consumers and companies that allow the biggest killer of all to happen – the destruction of rainforest habitats for palm oil, used the world over in food and cosmetic products.
Our top trip
Orangutan volunteering in Borneo
Volunteer at an award-winning orangutan rehabilitation centre in Malaysian Borneo
From
£795 to £1995
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2023: 5 Dec, 19 Dec
2024: 5 Jan, 19 Jan, 5 Feb, 19 Feb, 5 Mar, 19 Mar, 4 Apr, 12 Apr, 19 Apr, 5 May, 19 May, 5 Jun, 19 Jun, 4 Jul, 12 Jul, 19 Jul, 5 Aug, 19 Aug, 4 Sep, 12 Sep, 5 Oct, 19 Oct, 4 Nov, 12 Nov, 19 Nov, 5 Dec, 19 Dec
2023: 5 Dec, 19 Dec
2024: 5 Jan, 19 Jan, 5 Feb, 19 Feb, 5 Mar, 19 Mar, 4 Apr, 12 Apr, 19 Apr, 5 May, 19 May, 5 Jun, 19 Jun, 4 Jul, 12 Jul, 19 Jul, 5 Aug, 19 Aug, 4 Sep, 12 Sep, 5 Oct, 19 Oct, 4 Nov, 12 Nov, 19 Nov, 5 Dec, 19 Dec
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Sarawak or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
01273 823 700
Call us until 6pm
Calling from outside the UK
Community led conservation projects are what are really creating a change in Sarawak, however, and these also provide some of the most fascinating and life affirming experiences for visitors keen to contribute to orangutan conservation efforts. The finest examples of this is among Sarawak’s Iban tribes in the Batang Ai National Park, where 90 percent of the state’s orangutans live and where the Ulu Menyang Wildlife Conservation Area has recently been created. This, like other park initiatives, is managed by the indigenous Iban people, who are the ancestral custodians of these lush landscapes, the mountains and the jungle as well its rare wildlife, including the orangutans. Conservation trips here are the real thing, travelling into remote parts of the park along the river, and staying in traditional longhouses within the community.
Volunteers can participate in the rehabilitation centres, working hand in hand with the Iban, who value the exchange of knowledge and common need to care for the orangutans, just as much as visitors do. You may not be allowed to have contact with the ‘Old Man of the Forest’, but communicating with some of these wise old men of the Iban, trekking with them in the forest, learning their traditional handicrafts, fishing and cooking with them, or simply sharing sunrises and sunsets is something you will never forget. Ultimately, orangutan conservation isn’t about areas, or sanctuaries or centres. It is about people, their positive interaction with nature, their historic understanding and newly regained respect of precious primates. It is about knowledge and care for future generations. No matter what tribe you come from, or what words you use.
Responsible Travel would like to thank the Sarawak tourist board for their sponsorship of this guide
More Sarawak articles
Learn the best time to visit Sarawak in terms of the weather with our practical month by month guide.
Learn all you need to know about travelling in Malaysia’s largest state with our useful Sarawak travel guide.
Make the most of your time in Sarawak with our map of highlights and some suggested itineraries.
There's lots to do in Sarawak from trekking to tribal homestays, and exploring the story of the White Rajahs.
The culture and heritage of the Lun Bawang people is at the core of Sarawak community tourism.
There are an incredible 30 national parks in Sarawak, all of them impressive in very different ways.
Sarawak adventure holidays take you into some of Asia's most spectacular natural landscapes.
The Rainforest World Music Festival is one of Sarawak's greatest cultural events.
With over 20 Important Bird Areas and plenty of national parks too, Sarawak is birdwatching bliss.
Batang Ai National Park is a superb place to see endangered orangutan in the wild.
Exploring the fascinating culture in Sarawak is one of the key reasons you should visit the Land of the Hornbills.
Discover the picturesque riverside gateway to Sarawak and Malaysian Borneo - Kuching.
The joys of a short tour to Sarawak are as clear as the waters of its many dive sites.
The fascinating heritage of the Brooke dynasty can be seen across Sarawak.
Sarawak wildlife ranges from endangered orangutans to proboscis monkeys and sea turtles.
Sarawak multi activity holidays explore stunning natural landscapes and tribal culture.
Sibu is the gateway to the Rajang river basin, which offers a distinct tribal culture.
Narrowing our favourite Sarawak trips down to just ten was a tricky business, but we finally managed...just.
Travelling in Sarawak with kids involves activities they'll enjoy and learn from at the same time.
If you’re searching for reliable Sarawak travel advice, check out these tips from our expert partners.
Wildlife issues are integral to responsible tourism in Sarawak - read on to learn more.
