Malaysia - Orangutans etc

[NZflygirl]

Hi, Just fishing for some ideas. Have finally got the go ahead of HWMBO to book from AKL-LHR/EDI with Asia stop off for Feb 2017, Maybe Jan depart but back by Feb 23rd I think as we're off to visit the backyard

I'm a massive animal/wildlife fan - maybe apart from crocs and snakes but after info on the orangutans in Malaysia. I don't want just a 1hr tour, I want a few days and don't care if I'm pushing a wheel barrow around or picking up cough (can't be worse than picking up after the dog can it?) as I hear you can help out in a sanctuary? So long drops, shared accommodation, no hot water are all fine. We will book somewhere nice to freshen up and do laundry before travelling on to the UK. HWMBO has nodded his head previously at the idea of orangutans but currently unawares it might be on the cards for Feb. He knocked back my Oman idea:evil:.

Mt Kinabalu is something I'm interested in but Orangutans come first and I read something about turtles - I'm another massive fan that keeps going when I'm out of season to places. We haven't firmed anything up yet but I'm thinking 4 days or so for this and on the return from the UK a few days doing some snorkelling but I'm not sure if the Phillipines is more the place to go to for snorkelling or return via the Maldives. I've been once before to the Maldives and gone island hopping and - completely impressive and great for snorkelling. Phillipines I have been worried about tourist kidnapping but beaches look better than Thailand or Malaysia. Maldives we might do the watered down version - not a fancy version although last time I went it was boat transfers whereas one of the places I'm looking at now is 1hr20 or so fly time from MLE and I'm thinking - that will be friggin awful if its windy. I don't know what they fly there. But snorkelling and island hopping would be an awesome way to come back from the UK miserable winter. Looking at Mercure Kooddoo opening Dec 2016 and using Accor plus for dinner 50% discount. I see whale sharks are year round in the Maldives so would like to go somewhere we can do a tour to see these guys. I just did these guys in Exmouth and - flipping awesome but the partner is still to see so - I'm keen for a second looksee.

Off to see the flight centre to see if they know anything about Orangutans. They're excited about booking the whole thing but - I really just want to know if there's anything easy I can book package wise in Malaysia and get some brochures. Still want to book my own flights for major flights (happy? using cheap airlines for short hops <3hrs) and use any possible hotel point stuff to cheapen costs.

So adventure on the way over to the UK and chillax on the way back is what I'm after. Suggestions?

 

[Pushka]

Sounds exciting. Do you really need to use Flight Centre?

 

[kpc]

You will want to visit here (we went last year and it was great):
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre | Places / Destination | Sabah, Malaysian Borneo

 

[bsb]

Despite what most review may say, we saw a LOT more orang-utans at Semenggoh (and a lot closer) although Sandakan has more of a venue for you to volunteer. But do what we did and go to both. Enjoy, they're awesome and you'll adopt one...ours is Beryl in Sandakan (I'm sure many people adopt her)

 

[drron]

Despite what most review may say, we saw a LOT more orang-utans at Semenggoh (and a lot closer) although Sandakan has more of a venue for you to volunteer. But do what we did and go to both. Enjoy, they're awesome and you'll adopt one...ours is Beryl in Sandakan (I'm sure many people adopt her)

We went there a few years ago and it was great.However I don't think they have volunteers there but here is the website and you can email-
SARAWAK FORESTRY :: Sarawak National Park - National Parks and Reserves - Semenggoh Nature Reserve ::

Kuching is a lovely place to stay-we stayed at the Hilton which is on the river.I know there is also a 4 Points there now.
There is a second Hilton in Sarawak-Hilton Batang Ai that is considered a "resort".When we went it was the cheapest Hilton in the world~$30 a night.It really is out in the wilderness.

 

[NZflygirl]

Sounds exciting. Do you really need to use Flight Centre?

I thought they might have a tour or something I didn't know about. They do some tours. Nice to know there's the option of doing something privately also but I'm not sure that's what we need. I just want more time with the Orangutans! I don't want just a 3hr tour but I guess that's where the homework is going to come in, to see if its possible to do something else. I was considering using flight centre for some flights but... decided that may not really work out. I don't mind doing A to B stuff but this is a bit more than that but will see how I go. Definitely time consuming:-|.

I've had to look at the map with these suggestions (thanks kpc, bsb, drron) just to see what travel logistics are. There's another place called Matang over by Sarawak that looks interesting. Need to look around the website more.
Mulu caves look cool too but not sure we'll have time to fit in Deer cave, and the turtles are up the other end of the island off Sandakan.
Some tight planning coming up.

 

[RooFlyer]

Sponging off this thread as I too want to do orang-utans in Kalimantan (and Brunei).

ps if you need travel agent services, there are better ones than Flight Centre.

 

[ksthommo]

Five of us did the Kalimantan / Tanjung Puting Boat Tour this time last year. Loved it, great experience.
Booked flights online to Pangkalan Bun and stayed one night there on completion[FONT=Arimo, sans-serif].
[/FONT]Airlines that fly from Java to Pangkalan Bun are second rate, we used Trigana Air, old boeing jet.

Used Ali Mashuri at
Tanjung Puting Plus Beach Tour Package 5 Days / 4 Nights | Orangutan Tour|Borneo Orangutan Tour|Orangutan Trip Tanjung Puting

 

[support]

@tdimdad wanted to ask a question.

 

[tdimdad]

Anyone been to these orangutan parks recently (post-pandemic)?

I'm planning a Feb/Mar 2023 trip and would appreciate recommendations. Ideally a park where you can roam around or a larger / wilder one. I'd love a more natural habitat as opposed to a park / zoo kind of a setting, if possible. I might be tempted to do a repeat visit so a park that might work nicely for a guided tour on day 1 and possible more free roaming on another day could be nice.

Combining a hike up the Mount Kinabalu to the trip is in the cards. Because I have only 4-5 day to spend in total and would also like to have some lazy downtime, I'd be keen to optimise the movements so that they take rather little time.

 

[tdimdad]

Paging @NZflygirl , @kpc and @RooFlyer to this, please. Have you done this again recently or have friends who would have (ideally) post-pandemic experiences of these?

I'm primarily thinking of the NE side of Borneo so I can do both the orangutans and Mt Kinabalu with minimal transfers across the island. Recommendations of destinations, peaceful accommodations or tour companies?