Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is a great place to sneak a peek at our ginger-haired cousins (no, not the Irish). Over 20 of Borneo’s great orangutans live in the centre, and although there isn’t sufficient natural forest in the surrounding area to make actual reintroduction into the wild possible, it’s still a good opportunity for a photo shoot. Semenggoh is noticeably less touristy (and much, much cheaper) than the widely publicised Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre in Sabah.
Note that you’re not guaranteed orangutan sightings, because the apes are free to come and go as they please. Feeding times are at 9am and 3pm.
Semenggoh is 24km south of Kuching. To get there, take STC bus 6 from Kuching (RM4, 40 minutes). At the time of research there were only two bus services per day, 7.30am and 1.30pm. Ask the bus driver for details on his desired return time. Get off at the Forest Department Nursery, then walk 1.3km down the paved road to the centre. The last return bus passes Semenggoh at 1.30pm, but you should be able to flag down a private van (RM3) or a bus from the main road. A taxi from Kuching to the centre costs around RM40.
Tour companies also operate guided day trips out to the centre for RM50 per person. Note that some tours don’t leave sufficient time to explore the gardens and arboretum at the centre (ask before you sign up).
