Where to See Orangutans in Borneo

Did you know that in Bahasa (Malay), "orangutan" means 'man of the forest'? This word derives from "orang hutan", which translates to "man of the jungle", a rather vivid description of these fascinating primates. If you're planning your trip to Borneo and want to see these animals that are incredibly similar to us, keep reading because today I will tell you the best places to see orangutans in Borneo.

Seeing them will be relatively easy since, unfortunately, their natural habitat is disappearing at an alarming rate (I'll also tell you the reasons). This means they have gradually concentrated in specific and well-known areas. Their survival has been threatened for years by various factors, to the point of being endangered.

It is a complex and sensitive topic, so in this article, I will try to give you some insights to help you understand everything behind the orangutans in Borneo. This way, you can prepare to enjoy the island's beauty to the fullest and have an unforgettable experience seeing orangutans in their natural habitat. Keep reading for all the details!

There are many factors that have caused the orangutan population to drastically decline in recent decades. And, as is often the case with most environmental issues, humans are the main culprits.

But what are the threats that have led orangutans to be endangered? Here are the most severe ones:

The palm oil industry has been the main driver of deforestation on the island of Borneo. I suppose you already know this, but just in case, let me tell you that the oil palm is a plant grown to produce palm oil, which is used in many everyday consumer products: food, cosmetics, cleaning products, biofuels, etc.

Unfortunately, palm oil has many useful properties for these industries and is highly profitable, as once the palm starts to bear fruit, they are harvested every 15 days year-round (meaning there are no seasons, so every time is good). This has led to palm oil becoming the most widely used oil in the world in recent years. The worst part is that 85% of its production is concentrated solely in Malaysia and Indonesia. But why Borneo specifically?

Mainly because these countries have vast lands available for cultivation and Borneo, being so pristine, has the ideal conditions for the fruit to grow sooner than in other places. These ideal lands for cultivation and biodiversity have become a double-edged sword, and governments have exploited them. Because, of course... who doesn't like money? Exactly.

The greed of those in power has led to a scandalous deforestation of much of the island to cultivate palm, and you will see this for yourself as soon as you get in a car or board a plane. You will see miles and miles covered in palm, and your heart will break.

As if this were not enough, the hunting and trafficking of orangutans are also contributing to their population decline. Occasionally, orangutans are hunted for use in the black market as pets or for entertainment shows, and infants are separated from their mothers to be sold as companions. Once they grow larger and their owners realize they can't handle them, they abandon them. A complete horror

Both deforestation and road construction and a long etcetera have led to the orangutan's natural habitat being reduced and divided into smaller sections. This inevitably means they face greater difficulties moving safely and finding food or shelter.

This fragmentation causes a kind of domino effect, because if orangutan populations are separated, their interactions are affected. And if they interact less, genetic diversity decreases, which in turn increases diseases and consequently, the likelihood of extinction. A very concerning issue that alarms all of us except those who truly have the power to end this.

All these factors have been decisive in causing the orangutan population to drastically decline, and although it is very sad to say, it does not look like it will change in the near future. Therefore, the experience of seeing orangutans in Borneo becomes a unique and unforgettable opportunity.

Although it is difficult to make an exact calculation, it is estimated that the orangutan population has decreased by more than 50% in the last three decades, which equates to the loss of hundreds of thousands of orangutans.

To give you an idea, in 1973 it was estimated that there were about 288,000 orangutans worldwide. However, the current estimate is around 104,700 orangutans in Borneo and about 14,600 on the island of Sumatra. (Source). On average, it has been concluded that about 25 orangutans die each day.

I'm sure that with this data, you will never look at palm oil the same way again.

With these threats in mind and considering that only about 50% of orangutans live freely, you will understand the need for rehabilitation centers that ensure and collaborate in the survival of orangutans.

In these centers, significant work is done to help orangutans by providing a safe place for those rescued from illegal trafficking and those injured by poaching or habitat destruction.

The primary goal of these sanctuaries is to help orangutans develop survival skills and adapt to life in the jungle. Once they are ready, they are reintroduced into the wild in protected areas where they can live freely. In this way, rehabilitation centers contribute to the conservation of the species.

In addition, orangutans receive medical and psychological care to help them recover from the trauma and stress they may have experienced.

There are only three species of orangutans in the world, and all are found in Indonesia and Malaysia. Below, I will tell you a little more about each one.

It is native to the island of Sumatra (Indonesia) and can only be seen there. As I mentioned earlier, it is estimated that there are about 14,600 individuals in total, of which around 60% live in the wild and the remaining 40% in rehabilitation centers and/or in captivity. With so few specimens, this type of orangutan is categorized as "critically endangered".

It is native to Borneo and although this island is made up of three countries (Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei), it can only be seen in the first two. This species has the largest number of individuals: about 104,000.

It is the most recently discovered species and was found in the Tapanuli region (Sumatra, Indonesia). Although it was rediscovered in 1997, it was not categorized as a unique species until 2017, when more thorough investigations were conducted and it was found to be genetically and morphologically distinct from the other two orangutan species. It is estimated that only about 800 specimens exist.

As you can see, Borneo is home to the largest population of orangutans in the world, meaning there is a greater likelihood of seeing orangutans in their natural habitat here compared to other places.

Additionally, Borneo has several national parks and rehabilitation centers that have been specifically established to protect these animals and allow visitors to see them responsibly and sustainably. Something essential.

In Borneo, orangutans can be seen both in the Malaysian and Indonesian areas, but unfortunately, a large percentage of orangutans are not free. Therefore, most places where you will see them will be in rehabilitation centers.

But don't worry, as these spaces have reserved areas where they can move freely, so they live in semi-freedom until they can return to the wild.

In these rehabilitation centers, they are fed twice a day on a platform, however, the food is very scarce and monotonous: mini bananas. This is meant to ensure that those who have recently been introduced can have that small sustenance, but not enough to survive, thus continuing to develop skills to feed themselves.

Once they have learned to do this, they will stop going for that "supplement" and fend for themselves. I witnessed this with my own eyes when I was at the Sepilok rehabilitation center, where out of 44 or 45 specimens living there, only one approached the platform.

For this reason, it is advisable to visit these feeding points at the two times food is offered, as this increases the chances of seeing them. The rest of the time they will be wandering the jungle and you won't see them.

The 2 best places to see orangutans in Borneo are: Semenggoh Wildlife Center and Sepilok. We talk more in depth about each of them:

The "Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre" is one of the most well-known orangutan rehabilitation centers in the world and is located in Sandakan, in the Sabah province.

This center was created in 1964 to assist in the rehabilitation of orphaned, injured orangutans and those being held illegally in captivity, and today it has become an important conservation center. Its work focuses on healing and recovering affected individuals, and once they have learned to take care of themselves in the jungle, they are released back into their natural habitat.

The sanctuary covers an area of about 43 square kilometers, which includes a visitor center, a feeding platform, a rehabilitation center, and a research area.

The "Semenggoh Wildlife Centre" is located in Sarawak province 20km from Kuching and is the largest sanctuary in the province. The main goal of this center, created in 1975, like Sepilok, is to rehabilitate rescued orangutans and help them develop the skills necessary to survive in the wild.

Here, they are also fed twice a day, although during the season when there is more fruit, it is less likely they will appear. Remember, in these centers the orangutans live in semi-freedom, so no one can guarantee that you will definitely see them. They may show up, or they may not. And if you think about it, that is the real charm of the place since the goal is total reintegration into the jungle, and if they don't come, it means they are doing things right

In addition to having the chance to see them at the feeding platforms, you will also learn more about them at Semenggoh: their type of diet, their life habits, their characteristics, and about the conservation efforts for orangutans. You can learn more on their official page.

Although it is unlikely, there is a possibility of seeing orangutans in complete freedom during boat tours usually conducted on the Kinabatangan River.

As hope is the last thing to lose, I kept my eyes wide open until the last moment to see them during the 3 tours, but I had no luck. However, the guide told us that the last time they had been seen was a month ago. So the possibility exists The boat ride is beautiful and the experience is very interesting.

Just as in the Malaysian area, there are also several places in Indonesia where you can see orangutans. Here are the most important ones:

This sanctuary is located in Tanjung Puting National Park, in the province of Kalimantan, and to reach it, you have to take a small cruise on the Sekonyer River. The typical thing is to book a 3-day, 2-night excursion on a klotok, a traditional boat that will become your home during the journey.

During that time, you can see orangutans in the wild and visit the different camps scattered throughout the jungle, where you will enjoy observing orangutans in their natural habitat. As you know, these camps serve as bases for the rehabilitation and care of orangutans, so they will live in semi-freedom there.

The most well-known camps where stops are usually made are Camp Tanjung Harapan, Camp Pondok Tanggui, and Camp Camp Leakey (the most important recovery center in the park).

Although orangutans are the unquestionable stars of these tours, during these days you can also see other animals in total freedom, such as proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, lizards, and countless different birds.

Although Tanjung Puting is the best place to see orangutans in the Indonesian area of Borneo, there are also other places where you can do so:

Now that you know where to see orangutans in Borneo, I have a few final tips to enjoy the experience in an ethical and respectful way:

Do not feed the orangutans: it is important not to give them food as they can become dependent on humans and lose their ability to fend for themselves.

Do not get too close: orangutans are wild animals and can be dangerous if they feel threatened. Always try to maintain a safe distance and respect their personal space.

Avoid touching orangutans: even if they look like cuddly toys you would love to hug, I remind you again that orangutans are wild animals. They are not pets, so do not try to touch or interact with them.

Choose a responsible agency: make sure to select a tour with a company that is ethical and truly cares about orangutans. Research, read reviews, and above all, compare. The most expensive tours are not always the best.

Follow the guide's instructions: if you are on a tour or with a local guide, follow their instructions to avoid disturbing the orangutans or disrupting their natural habitat.

Respect national park rules: if you visit a national park to see orangutans, take the time to learn about the rules that exist to protect the animals and their environment.

Do not leave trash: don't be dirty and make sure to take all your trash with you. Besides polluting the environment and altering their habitat, trash can be dangerous for orangutans or other animals living in the jungle.

I hope this article has been helpful for you to know the best places to see orangutans in Borneo and that you have also learned about the issues surrounding palm oil. Remember, if you have more questions, you can leave a comment below

• Some photos obtained from Shutterstock