Sepilok Orang Utan !!

Hi Guys,

We are arriving in Kota Kinabalu around 6/7 pm on the 6th of June, 2007. We are staying for 3 full days ie 7th, 8th and 9th and flying to KL only on the 10th morning.

Do you think we will be able to book the excursion to Sepilok with air-tickets after we get there for either the 8th or 9th ??? Or is it imoerative that we do it right now from here ???

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Carlos de Souza.

Sepilok Orang Utan !!

Hi Divingrocks,

We cannot spare more than a day maximum for the Sepilok trip.

The entire tour cost is working out to about RM900 per head. This includes pick up and drop back at hotel, return airticket (all taxes),

transport from the airport to Sepilok and back, entrance fees, services of a guide right through, lunch, a Mangrove cruise, etc.

Since we gotta be back the same day (05.30--22.30), the convenience of booking a tour wins out.

Your recommended website was superb, thanks much. We are staying at the Hyatt Regency, btw.

Thanks very much for the advice,

Cheers !!

Carlos.

Sepilok Orang Utan !!

Hi Carlos,

I%26#39;m a Britain living in Kota Kinabalu at the moment so can hopefully advise.

If you are looking to see Orangutans whilst in KK, I can recommend another option at a fraction of the price (and you don%26#39;t have to go on another flight).

Simply take a taxi from your hotel in town to the Shangri-La Rasa Ria beach hotel located a 25 minute taxi ride outside of town. It%26#39;s located on a beautiful 6km beach and you can get a nice lunch there and go for a swim.

Not many people know there is also a small Orangutan sanctuary based at the hotel as well. It%26#39;s a small place but they often have a handful of baby Orangutans there. You will first have a talk/video, then be led on a 10 minute walk into the rainforest to observe the wild orangutans at their feeding platform. There you can view them and take pictures in a natural environment. All in all it takes about 1 hour. I have had many friends visit me from Europe and in their opinion they said that they preferred this to the busier and more well known Sepilok. It would cost you approx RM70 each (plus taxi) plus you could spend an afternoon at the hotel / beach.

To book you would need to call the Rasa Ria hotel at +60 (0)88 792888. Ask for the Nature Orangutan Centre to make a booking (they limit numbers of visitors). They have one feeding in the morning and one in the afternoon. Note - you can only book 3 days in advance, that is the earliest you could telephone to book a place would be 3 days before you want to go.

I%26#39;ve done both and personally prefer the smaller orangutan attraction at the Shangri-La Rasa Ria Hotel.

Hope this is helpful

Paul

Thanks very much, Paul, that was most helpful.

Yes, it would indeed serve our purpose most adequately. We get to see the orang utans, w/o travelling great distances, w/o spending too much time or money.

Thanks again, Peter, much obliged.

Cheers !!

Carlos.

Sorry, Paul.......for inadvertently calling you Peter.

I know..... a rose called by any other name would smell just as sweet, BUT, then, which self-respecting rose would like to be called a cabbage ??? :-)

Cheers, Paul !!

Carlos.

My wife and I did both when we were there a fortnight ago.Both have their own merits,but as time is a factor, Rasa Ria would be your best option.B.T.W the Hyatt was great..

Thank you very much, Stoogeuk, for the thumbs up as regards the Hyatt Regency.

Yes, we will probably make do with the Orang Utans at the Rasa Ria. It does seem the more convenient option.

Thanks a ton, Stoogeuk, much obliged.

Cheers !!

Carlos.