Planning a day in Sandakan? You cannot leave without visiting the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and its neighbour, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre.
Located just 40 minutes outside of town and right next to each other, these two Borneo wildlife sanctuaries are the perfect addition to your Kinabatangan River Cruise trip.
If you are visiting Sabah in Borneo and want to see orangutans and sun bears in a way that feels ethical, educational and conservation-focused, this is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary.
Quick Facts For Visiting Sepilok
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre |
Sun Bear Conservation Centre |
|
|---|---|---|
| Price | 30 MYR + 10 MYR camera fee | 50 MYR |
| Payment | Cash only | Cash/card when we visited |
| Best time to visit | Morning and afternoon feeding sessions | Over lunch between orangutan sessions |
| Feeding/viewing times | 9:30am, 10:00am, 2:30pm and 3:00pm | Viewing throughout the day |
How To Get To Sepilok From Sandakan
The first option is to take the number 14 bus from Sandakan at 9:00am, which will take around 45 minutes and cost between 5-10 MYR. This should get you there JUST in time for the 10:00am feeding at the Orangutan Centre, however you would likely miss the 9:30am Jungle School session. Avoid the public bus if seeing that first session is important to you, as it rarely arrives early enough to give you a relaxed start.
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre Ticket Price
The entry ticket to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre can only be purchased at the gate. It is impossible to buy them online, so if you see any online, it is probably a scam.
The ticket price is 30 MYR, with an extra 10 MYR fee to bring in a camera. This can ONLY be paid in CASH.
This ticket is for the full day, so when you leave for lunch, be sure to keep your ticket for the afternoon session.
Sun Bear Conservation Centre Ticket Price
The entry ticket for the Sun Bear Conservation Centre will cost you 50 MYR.
I would take cash for this as well to be safe, but when we were there we were able to pay with card.
Morning Visit To Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Make sure you keep your eyes up as you may be able to spot some orangutans in the trees on your way there!
Your first viewing stop is indoors, watching many of the centre's orangutans playing on a rope playground before they get their morning food, which can be a very exciting watch.
This is your first opportunity to be amazed by the orangutans and understand why they are called the "people of the forest", with such similar slow and calm movements to humans.
From here you can head towards the outdoor platform to watch a second feed with some more wild orangutans in a far more open environment.
This is a great spot to sit for an hour or so and just take it all in, especially as some of the orangutans are in no rush to leave.
If you want to see our full experience visiting the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Sun Bear Conservation Centre, you can watch our full Borneo vlog below.
What To Do Between The Morning And Afternoon Feeding
The Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre closes at 12:00pm each day, and 11:00am on Fridays, before reopening at 2:00pm, with feedings at 2:30 and 3:00pm.
This is the perfect window to have lunch at the restaurant outside and have some chill time in the air conditioning, before heading over to see the Sun Bear Conservation Centre.
Before you go in for the afternoon session, you can also go into the movie room, which shows a short film about the story behind the sanctuary.
About Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Established in the 1960s, the Borneo Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre rescues orphaned and injured orangutans to help rehabilitate and protect the orangutan population. You can also read more about the centre on the official Sabah Tourism website.
When they are strong enough, they are put through "Jungle School" to help them learn to climb, forage and interact with other orangutans, with the ultimate goal of releasing them back into the forest.
Orangutans share 97% of the same DNA as humans, and you can see the similarities in emotions and empathy when watching them be cared for.
What we really loved is that the sanctuary backs onto the forest with no fence, meaning if an orangutan is struggling, it always has a safe place to come for food and comfort. It makes it so special seeing them up close, knowing they are being truly cared for with no exploitation.
The Afternoon Orangutan Feeding
In the afternoon session, you see the two feeds again, one at the jungle playground and one on the open platform.
We were so lucky in the afternoon, getting to see a wild alpha male orangutan come out for food, with his distinct bigger body and wide face.
This, accompanied by the amount of mothers and babies we saw on the platform feeding, created quite an emotional afternoon experience and one that we will never forget.
Visiting The Sun Bear Conservation Centre
While watching these bears go about their day from a platform, Dr Wong, the founder of the centre, was around and talking so passionately about the bears and the work that the centre does to protect them from threats like deforestation, illegal trade and bile farming.
Although they live in very open enclosures, some of the sun bears cannot be released as they are too used to humans and would struggle to survive in the wild.
They also get very attached, with one bear even intentionally hurting himself because he wants to visit the vet!
Although the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is definitely the main event of the day, don't miss out on the sun bears, especially given how convenient it is being right next door and open over lunch.
What To Pack For Sepilok
- Cash for entry tickets, especially for the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.
- Bug spray, because you are still in Borneo and surrounded by rainforest.
- A raincoat or small umbrella, as the weather can change quickly.
- A zoom lens or camera if you want better photos from the outdoor platform.
- Water, light clothing and something to do between the morning and afternoon sessions.
Practical Tips For Visiting Sepilok
- Get a Grab car to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and aim to arrive around 8:30am.
- Watch the morning orangutan feeding.
- Have lunch at the restaurant outside at around 11:00am.
- Bring a book or cards to play, as you will have lots of time between sessions.
- Visit the Sun Bear Conservation Centre from around 12:00pm until 1:00pm.
- Head back to the movie room at the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre to watch the film.
- Head inside just before 2:00pm to watch the afternoon feeding.
- Bring cash for tickets, especially for the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.
- Keep your Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre ticket so you can return for the afternoon session.
Why Orangutans Are So Special
Orangutans are known as the “person of the forest” due to their similar mannerisms to humans. They share nearly 97% of our DNA and are intelligent, emotional and resourceful in their way of life.
Unfortunately, they are threatened by palm oil plantations, logging and illegal wildlife trade.
This is what sanctuaries like this are fighting against, a message that is very powerfully pushed while you are there.
Is Sepilok Worth Visiting?
The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Sun Bear Conservation Centre were one of the best days in Borneo. It was such a powerful and emotional experience that genuinely felt ethical and conservation-focused, unlike many other wildlife sites in South-East Asia.
It is a great combination with a Kinabatangan River Cruise, especially if you don't get to see an orangutan on the cruise.
Sandakan itself does not have too much to do or see, but we definitely recommend staying an extra day in Sandakan to make this happen.
Where To Stay In Sandakan For Sepilok
If you are visiting Sepilok as part of a Borneo itinerary, we would recommend staying in Sandakan for at least one night so you are not rushing between travel days.
For a budget option, look for hostels or simple guesthouses around Sandakan town so you can easily share Grab rides with other travellers. We stayed at AeCotel Mingle Hostel and, while it was nothing spectacular, we honestly have absolutely no complaints. It was clean, comfortable, in a convenient location and worked perfectly for a short stay in Sandakan before our wildlife adventures. If you want something a bit easier and more comfortable, a mid-range hotel in Sandakan is a good option before or after your Kinabatangan River Cruise.
You can also stay closer to Sepilok itself if your main focus is the wildlife sanctuaries and you want a quieter jungle-style stay.
Final Thoughts
The sanctuaries, the river cruise and the wildlife experiences made this one of the most unforgettable parts of our trip.
If you are visiting Sabah or planning a Borneo itinerary, we would definitely recommend adding Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Sun Bear Conservation Centre to your plans.
Sepilok Orangutan & Sun Bear Centre FAQs
Is Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre worth visiting?
Yes, absolutely. Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre was one of our favourite experiences in Borneo. It felt ethical, educational and genuinely focused on conservation, while still giving you an amazing chance to see orangutans up close.
Can you visit Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Sun Bear Conservation Centre in one day?
Yes, you can easily visit both in one day. They are located right next to each other, so we would recommend visiting the orangutans in the morning, heading to the Sun Bear Conservation Centre over lunch, then returning for the afternoon orangutan feeding.
How much does Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre cost?
When we visited, entry to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre cost 30 MYR, with an extra 10 MYR camera fee. This had to be paid in cash at the gate.
How much does the Sun Bear Conservation Centre cost?
When we visited, entry to the Sun Bear Conservation Centre cost 50 MYR. We were able to pay by card, but we would still recommend bringing cash just in case.
What time are the orangutan feedings at Sepilok?
The main orangutan feeding sessions are in the morning at 9:30am and 10:00am and in the afternoon at 2:30pm and 3:00pm. We recommend arriving early for the morning feeding so you have enough time to buy tickets, store your bags and get a good viewing spot.
How do you get to Sepilok from Sandakan for a day trip?
You can take the number 14 bus from Sandakan or book a Grab car directly to Sepilok. We recommend using Grab if you can, as it gives you more control over your timing and makes it easier to arrive before the morning feeding.
Can you see wild orangutans at Sepilok?
Yes, you can see orangutans moving freely between the forest and the feeding platforms. What we loved most is that the sanctuary backs onto the forest with no fence, so the orangutans are not kept in cages and can return to the forest when they are ready.
Should you visit Sepilok before or after a Kinabatangan River Cruise?
Either works, but we think Sepilok is a great addition before or after a Kinabatangan River Cruise. It is especially worth doing if you do not get to see orangutans during your river cruise.
No comments