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"Semengoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is undoubtedly one of the best attractions in the Kuching area."
Semenggoh Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre is undoubtedly one of the best attractions in the Kuching area. It offers the opportunity of getting close to some highly mischievous, semi-wild Orang Utan. Semenggoh became the first forest reserve in Sarawak in 1920. It was turned into a wild life rehabilitation centre for monkeys, Orang Utans, honey bears and hornbills in 1975.
The aim is to reintroduce as many of the animals as possible to their natural habitat, as many had been orphaned by logging or were being illegally kept as pets. There is more to see in the morning as the young monkeys and Orang Utans are put back in their cages at 3pm. The best time to visit Semenggoh is during feeding time, which takes place between 8.30-9am and 3-3.30 pm.
The semi-wild Orang Utans are good timekeepers and as feeding time approaches they start to make an appearance. They descend from the trees of the surrounding forest reserve to offer visitors a unique wildlife experience and some excellent photo opportunities. They often make their way to the lower branches and small trees, which surround the various Orang Utan enclosures, the very same cages, where they used to stay before graduating to the forest. Here, they play with each other, swing about in the hanging vines and occasionally descend to ground level to 'charge' groups of tourists.
Officially visitors are supposed to obtain an entry permit from the National Parks & Wildlife Booking Office in the Visitors' Information Centre in Kuching before heading to Semenggoh. In practice no one seems to mind if you just turn up and register upon arrival 8.30 am-12.45 pm and 2-4.15pm every day.
Last viewed - May 16, 2008
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