The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is located in the state of Sabah, Malaysia. Established in 1964, this rescue and rehabilitation centre is dedicated to rehabilitating orphaned and injured orangutans for eventual release back into the wild. The centre also aims to educate visitors on the importance of orangutan conservation, and allows for a unique, up-close experience with these intelligent primates.
The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is located approximately 25 kilometers from Sandakan Airport. Visitors can take a taxi or organized tour to the centre.
The best time to visit the centre is during the dry season, which runs from March to October. This is when the orangutans are more active and sightings are more likely.
Temperatures at Sepilok range from around 24 to 33 degrees Celsius year-round. The wet season, from November to February, brings more rain and humidity.
Accommodation near the centre ranges from budget hostels to high-end resorts. Prices start at around RM20 per night for a basic hostel, and go up to RM1,000 per night for a luxury resort.
Food prices in the area are relatively inexpensive, with street food and local restaurants offering meals for as little as RM5. Higher-end dining options are also available for around RM50 per meal.
Sepilok is considered a safe destination for visitors, with low crime rates and generally tolerant attitudes towards all individuals.
The area surrounding Sepilok is predominantly Malay, with a smaller percentage of Chinese and indigenous populations. The official language is Malay, although English is widely spoken.
Activities at the centre include watching the feeding of the orangutans, exploring the jungle trails around the reserve, and visiting nearby areas such as the Rainforest Discovery Centre and the Sandakan Memorial Park.