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Orangutan hanging upside down from a rope among dense green rainforest foliage
Wildlife · Sepilok, Sandakan, Sabah

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

Orangutan rehabilitation centre and neighbouring sun bear sanctuary near Sandakan

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Discover Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

In the rainforest a short drive from Sandakan, Sepilok is where many travellers see their first orangutan. The centre, run by the Sabah Wildlife Department, takes in orphaned and rescued young orangutans and teaches them the skills they need to return to the forest, a process that can take years.

Visitors follow raised boardwalks to a feeding platform deep in the trees, where semi-wild orangutans may swing in on ropes at feeding time, and to an outdoor nursery viewing building that overlooks younger apes practising their climbing. Right next door, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre gives a rare look at the world's smallest bear, rescued from captivity and living in forest enclosures. Together they make a moving half day, and a good introduction to the conservation challenges facing Borneo's wildlife.

Don’t miss

  1. 01The main feeding platform, reached by a forest boardwalk
  2. 02The outdoor nursery viewing building overlooking young orangutans at play
  3. 03The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre's observation platforms
  4. 04Exhibition hall explaining orangutan rehabilitation
  5. 05Rainforest Discovery Centre canopy walkways a short walk away

History & culture

The story of Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

Sepilok opened in 1964 as one of the first official orangutan rehabilitation projects, set within the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, which covers around 4,294 hectares of rainforest. Over the decades it has received young orangutans orphaned by logging, plantation clearance, hunting and the illegal pet trade. New arrivals are quarantined and checked at the on-site clinic, then move through indoor and outdoor nurseries before gradually becoming independent in the reserve, where an estimated 60 to 80 orangutans now live free.

The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre was founded next door in 2008 by wildlife biologist Wong Siew Te and opened to the public in 2014. It cares for sun bears rescued from captivity, a species classed as vulnerable and fully protected in Sabah, and around 42 bears live there today.

Local life & traditions

Sepilok is a quiet roadside community built around the reserve, with small jungle lodges, guesthouses and cafes catering to visitors. Many local guides and staff have worked in conservation for years, and visitor fees help fund animal care. Sandakan, the nearest town, has a long trading history and a mixed Malay, Chinese and indigenous population, with plenty of halal options.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Time your visit around a feeding session, at 10 am or 3 pm at the main platform, and arrive early to secure a spot. Orangutans are wild or semi-wild, so sightings are likely but never guaranteed; during fruiting seasons they may stay in the forest. Afterwards, the outdoor nursery viewing area is usually the best chance to watch younger orangutans up close, behind glass.

The Sun Bear centre is a short walk away and is best combined in the same visit. If you have more time, the nearby Rainforest Discovery Centre has canopy walkways and good birdwatching, and many travellers continue from Sepilok to the Kinabatangan River.

When to go

The centre operates year-round and feeding times are the same in every season. Mornings are often less crowded than afternoons, and cooler for walking. Heavy rain can fall at any time of year, especially in the afternoon, and the wetter months around the turn of the year can make boardwalks slippery. During forest fruiting periods orangutans may visit the platform less often. Fridays have a shorter morning session, so check opening times before you go.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Managing authority
Sabah Wildlife Department; established 1964 within the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve Source: wildlife.sabah.gov.my ↗
Feeding times
10:00 am and 3:00 pm at the feeding platform Source: sabahtourism.com ↗
Admission (as published, Oct 2026)
Non-Malaysian adult RM30, child RM15; Malaysian adult RM5, child RM2 Source: sabahtourism.com ↗
Visitor rule
Do not touch the orangutans; human diseases can spread to them Source: sabahtourism.com ↗
Location
Batu 14, Jalan Labuk, about 23 km (around 40 minutes' drive) from Sandakan city centre Source: sabahtourism.com ↗
Sun Bear Centre
Located next to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre at Jalan Sepilok, Batu 14 Source: bsbcc.org.my ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

  • Arrive 20 to 30 minutes before feeding time to find a good viewing spot on the platform.
  • Leave bags in lockers where provided and keep food out of sight; macaques are bold.
  • Wear light, long clothing and insect repellent, and bring a rain jacket.
  • Keep your voice low and never use flash photography near the animals.
  • Plan a full day if you want to combine the orangutans, sun bears and the Rainforest Discovery Centre.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre: food, markets & places to stay

Several jungle lodges and guesthouses sit within walking distance of the centre's entrance, and a cafeteria at the entrance serves simple meals. Sandakan town, about 40 minutes away, has the airport, hotels, seafood restaurants and markets. The Rainforest Discovery Centre is nearby, and Labuk Bay, known for proboscis monkeys, is a popular side trip.

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre & what’s nearby

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Sources & verification

This guide was researched from the sources below and reviewed by our team on 27 October 2026. Facts under “Verified information” link to the page they were checked on; travel tips are general guidance. Photos are credited on each image. The ambient recording’s author and licence are shown in the sound player.

  1. Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre — Sabah Wildlife Department
  2. Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre — Sabah Tourism Board
  3. Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre — Orangutan Appeal UK
  4. Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre — BSBCC
  5. Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre — Wikipedia

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