Spotting orangutans is one of the main reasons people visit Borneo, and Sepilok is one of the best places to do exactly that. Home to the world-famous Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, this small village in Sabah offers one of the easiest opportunities to see these incredible primates in a natural rainforest environment.
Before visiting Borneo, I only really knew two things about the island. Firstly, it was famous for its rare wildlife, and secondly, orangutans are only found naturally on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. These two facts were enough to convince my husband and me to add Sepilok to our itinerary.
While many travellers visit purely for the orangutans, there’s more to Sepilok than one famous attraction. Between walking through ancient rainforest, visiting conservation centres, spotting exotic animals, and joining a guided rainforest night walk, there are enough experiences to comfortably fill two days.
While Sepilok doesn’t offer the same wildlife experience as a Kinabatangan River safari (where we were lucky enough to see completely wild orangutans), it makes the perfect introduction to Borneo’s extraordinary biodiversity.
In this Sepilok travel guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know before visiting, including the best things to do in Sepilok, where to stay, how to get there, and whether it is worth adding to your Borneo itinerary. If you’re looking for an easy-to-follow Sepilok travel guide, I hope this will help you plan your visit.
Updated: August 2026
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How long should you spend in Sepilok?
Sepilok isn’t somewhere you’ll spend a week exploring, but it’s well worth including in your Borneo itinerary. My husband and I stayed for two nights before heading to the Kinabatangan River, and it felt like the right amount of time.
If you’re short on time, you can visit Sepilok in a single day by focusing on the orangutan sanctuary and either the Rainforest Discovery Centre or the Sun Bear Conservation Centre. However, staying for a night or two allows for a much more relaxed pace, rather than rushing between attractions.
Suggested 2-Day Sepilok Itinerary
Day 1
- Arrive from Sandakan
- Visit the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre for the 10am feeding
- Have lunch nearby
- Return to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre for the 3pm feeding
- Join the Rainforest Discovery Centre Night Walk
Day 2
- Explore the Rainforest Discovery Centre canopy walkway
- Have lunch nearby
- Visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
- Continue to Kinabatangan or Sandakan
Best things to do in Sepilok
1. Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Without question, this is the main reason most people visit Sepilok.
Set within the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre has been rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing orphaned and injured orangutans since 1964. Many have lost their mothers through deforestation or the illegal wildlife trade, while others need medical treatment before they can return to the rainforest.
There is also a whole nursery dedicated to helping young orangutans learn the skills they’ll need to survive in the wild, like climbing, nest building and foraging for food. Once they’re ready, they’re gradually released back into the rainforest, although some continue returning for the occasional free meal.
The best chance to see orangutans at Sepilok is during feeding times. At the outdoor nursery, sessions take place at 9.30am and 2.30pm, where young orangutans can be watched through glass panels as they learn climbing and social skills. At the main feeding platform, feedings are held at 10am and 3pm, where staff members leave out fresh fruit and vegetables for nearby orangutans to feast on (and some other monkeys looking for an easy meal, which can cause a few lively squabbles!)
There’s no guarantee how many you will see at any of the feedings as the orangutans here are a mix of semi-wild, rehabilitating, and those that are now fully free-roaming. This means that on some days many may appear, while others only a few visit. This is actually a good thing, as it means the orangutans are finding their way on their own, and are relying less on human interaction to survive.
My husband and I went to a morning and afternoon feeding on the same day, and I’d definitely recommend it if you have the time. At the 9.30am nursery feeding, we saw several orangutans of different ages – it’s incredible how human‑like they are, truly fascinating to watch! The only downside was the observation deck: as someone who loves photography, it was tricky to get clear shots through the glass because of the reflections.
I preferred the location of the 3pm feeding. It’s held in an open‑air viewing area, which makes it much easier to watch and photograph the orangutans as they climb and feed. We were lucky enough to spot adults, teenagers, and even some adorable babies during both sessions.
One thing that disappointed me was how noisy some visitors were. It’s worth remembering that these are wild animals, not zoo exhibits, so keeping your voice down helps create a calmer environment for both the orangutans and everyone else.
Centre opening hours:
- Monday to Thursday, and Saturday to Sunday: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM & 2:00 PM–4:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM–11:00 AM & 2:00 PM–4:00 PM
Entrance fees:
- Non-Malaysians: RM 30 (Adults) / RM 15 (Children)
- Malaysian Citizens: RM 5 (Adults) / RM 2 (Children)
- Extra charge of RM 10 for cameras and professional recording equipment.
Useful tips:
- Arrive at least 30 minutes before feeding time if you want a good viewing spot.
- Your ticket is valid all day, so it’s worth attending the morning and afternoon feeding sessions.
- Bags, backpacks and food aren’t permitted on the trails, but free lockers are available.
- Flash photography is prohibited.
- Wear lightweight clothing – the rainforest is extremely hot and humid.
- Bring plenty of water and insect repellent.
2. Explore the Rainforest Discovery Centre
One of Sepilok’s main attractions is the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC). Unlike the orangutan sanctuary, this attraction focuses on experiencing the rainforest itself rather than a single species.
The highlight is the canopy walkway, where you can stroll high above the forest floor while keeping an eye out for hornbills, colourful birds, squirrels and butterflies. Even if you don’t spot much wildlife, the views across the rainforest are spectacular. If you have time, I’d also recommend joining the guided night walk.
Opening hours: Daily 8am-5pm.
Entrance fee:
- Non-Malaysians: RM 30 (Adult), RM 20 (Child 5-17 years old)
- Malaysian Citizens: RM 7 (Adult), RM 3 (Child 5-17 years old)
3. Join the guided night walk
Rather than visiting the RDC during the day, my husband and I booked the guided night walk.
If you have booked the night walk, you can access the RDC from 5pm onwards. I’m really glad we went there early as we had time to explore the canopy walkway and observation towers while they were almost empty. It was peaceful, and the rainforest felt completely different as daylight slowly faded.
Once the tour began, it was a lot less peaceful. There were around forty of us, split into smaller groups of eight. Our guide did a really good job spotting animals we would never have noticed ourselves. During our walk we saw a beautiful green pit viper, a scorpion, macaques, a slow loris and a flying lemur. Depending on the season, you might also encounter civets, flying squirrels, frogs, giant spiders and stick insects.
Price:
- RM 50 per adult (16+)
- RM 25 for children (5 to 15 years).
How to book: Email rdcsepilok@yahoo.com. Try to book weeks in advance as spaces are limited and sell out quickly.
Useful Tips:
- Guided tours usually begin shortly after sunset.
- Wear trainers or closed hiking shoes (not sandals or flipflops) – there are uneven paths to walk along.
- Use insect repellent – the mosquitos here are very greedy.
- Wear lightweight, breathable clothing.
- Bring plenty of water – rainforests are very humid places.
4. Visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
Just a two-minute walk from the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is another of Sepilok’s top attractions: the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre.
Dedicated to protecting the world’s smallest bear species, the centre rescues sun bears that have been kept illegally as pets or have suffered abuse. Many are unable to return to the wild, so they spend the rest of their lives in large forest enclosures where they can live as naturally as possible.
Visitors can observe the bears from elevated viewing platforms as they forage for food, climb trees and, if you’re lucky, bask in the sunshine. Like the orangutan sanctuary, the focus here is on conservation rather than entertainment, so your entrance fee directly supports the centre’s rescue and rehabilitation work.
We decided to skip the Sun Bear Conservation Centre as we’d visited a bear sanctuary in Laos that was also home to rescued sun bears. However, if you haven’t seen these bears before, it would be easy to fit in a visit between the orangutan feeding sessions.
Opening hours: Daily 9am-3.30pm.
Entrance fee:
- Non-Malaysians: RM 50 (Adults) / RM 25 (Children)
- Malaysian Citizens: RM 10 (Adults) / RM 5 (Children)
How to get to Sepilok from Sandakan
Sepilok is located around 25km west of Sandakan, and the journey takes roughly 30 minutes by road. We caught a Grab directly from Sandakan Airport, which cost just RM23, making it by far the easiest option.
If you’re travelling on a tighter budget, there’s also a tourist bus between Sandakan and Sepilok. Tickets cost around RM10 one-way, and from what I found, buses usually depart Sandakan at 9am and 2pm, with the journey taking approximately 30-40 minutes.
Alternatively, many hotels and tour companies offer private transfers or shared shuttle buses, particularly if you’re continuing to the Kinabatangan River. Our guest house in Kinabatangan arranged a transfer directly from our accommodation in Sepilok, which made the journey completely hassle-free.
Where to stay in Sepilok
Accommodation is limited in Sepilok so my advice is to book as early as possible, especially during peak season. Most of the hotels and resorts are spread along the main road, within walking distance of the wildlife centres.
We booked the Sepilok Hideaway Guest House, which is well-located between the orangutan sanctuary and RDC. It has lots of plus points – comfortable beds, plenty of hot water, a nice private terrace – although we felt breakfast should have been included for the price (it is with most other Sepilok places).
One unexpected issue was a pack of stray dogs that gathered near the entrance to the guest house. One evening they became quite aggressive, lunging and barking at us, and we had to call our host to ask him to come rescue us. He met us with a large stick to ward the dogs off. If he hadn’t been home (or answered his phone), we would have had a real problem getting back into our room. I recommend saving your accommodation’s phone number just in case you bump into the same stray dogs in Sepilok.
If this guest house isn’t available during our stay, here are some other popular choices:
- Paganakan Dii Tropical Retreat – A peaceful eco-lodge surrounded by rainforest, offering excellent value for money.
- Sepilok Nature Resort – One of the most popular places to stay in Sepilok, featuring beautiful wooden chalets around a tranquil lake.
- Sepilok Forest Edge Resort – Larger rooms with beautiful surroundings, ideal if you’re looking for extra comfort.
Where to eat in Sepilok
One thing that caught us off guard was how limited the food options were in Sepilok. There were only a handful of restaurants within walking distance of our accommodation, and they were noticeably more expensive than what we’d become used to elsewhere in Malaysia.
Our favourite was White House Bistro, which served by far the best food we had in Sepilok. We also tried The Mango by Tanini and Kafeteria Sepilok, but both meals were distinctly average.
I suggest booking accommodation with breakfast included as that is one less meal to organise. Plus, bring snacks – or even whole meals like pot noodles – depending on where you’re travelling from. We saw lots of passengers at Kuala Lumpur airport carrying huge 7-Eleven bags onto the flight to Sandakan – now we know why!
Other things to do near Sepilok
If you have extra time, here are a few more places worth adding to your Borneo itinerary.
Kinabatangan River
Around two hours from Sepilok, the Kinabatangan River is one of the best places in Asia to spot wildlife. During our stay we saw wild orangutans, crocodiles, rhinoceros hornbills, proboscis monkeys and much more. If you’re visiting Sabah, I think the Kinabatangan River is an absolute must. You can read about my 3 Day/2 Night stay by the Kinabatangan river here.
Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary
If you’re not planning to visit the Kinabatangan River but still want to see endangered proboscis monkeys, Labuk Bay is another popular option. Visitors can watch the monkeys feeding from elevated viewing platforms surrounded by mangrove forest.
Sandakan
We only used Sandakan for the airport so we didn’t go into the city centre. If you have more time, you might want to do the Sandakan Heritage Trail, or visit Agnes Keith House, Central Market and the colourful Sim Sim Water Village.
Turtle Islands National Park
If you’re visiting Sepilok between July and October, don’t miss Turtle Islands National Park. Watching endangered green and hawksbill turtles come ashore to lay their eggs is one of Sabah’s most popular wildlife experiences.
Sepilok FAQs
Is Sepilok worth visiting?
Absolutely. While it shouldn’t replace destinations like the Kinabatangan River or national parks like Danum Valley, Sepilok is one of the easiest places in Borneo to see orangutans and learn about the important conservation work taking place in Sabah.
Can you visit Sepilok without a tour?
Yes. It’s very easy to visit independently from Sandakan using Grab, the local bus or a private transfer. We didn’t use a local guide for any activities (except the guided night walk), but if you’d prefer to be shown around by a local guide, check out this one-day tour from Sandakan to Sepilok (which includes visits to the orangutan and sun bear sanctuaries, the Rainforest Discovery Centre, and an evening sunset cruise).
Can you walk between the attractions?
Yes. The Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Rainforest Discovery Centre and Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre are all within walking distance of one another.
I hope this post has shown you that Sepilok is definitely worth a day or two in your Borneo itinerary. Although Sepilok is small, it packs an incredible amount into just a couple of days and offers one of the best introductions to Borneo’s unique wildlife and conservation efforts.
If you’re planning a trip to Borneo and have any questions about visiting Sepilok, feel free to leave a comment below – I’d love to help.
Ciao for now,
Izzie
