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Orangutan watching with kids

Seeing orangutans is a surprisingly family friendly option, but only if you do your research and read up on the best places for watching orangutans with kids. Sabah is by far the most accessible region, with plenty of adventurous beach and jungle activities to entice children away from their new furry friends, closely followed by Sarawak, which has opportunities for cultural interaction.

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Watching orangutans with kids

Hanging with an orangutan may seem like an idyllic activity for nature-loving kids, but there are many ways to see them, so do your research.

Of all the places for watching orangutans with kids, Sabah is by far the most family friendly, so more cautious travelers or those with younger children would be advised to come here.

There are opportunities to see them in the wild – as well as at the excellent Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre and Rainforest Discovery Centre.

Sumatra and Indonesian Borneo are recommended only for the most intrepid families; teenagers may thrive on its rough-and-ready-ness, but language barriers and lack of infrastructure may make less adventurous parents nervous.

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Activities for families

Sepilok Rainforest Education Centre

Sepilok Rainforest Education Centre started life as an education center for local schoolchildren. Now also open to the public, it remains a particularly great spot for watching orangutans with kids. The huge canopy walkway is in fact a wobble-free “bridge” – safe for even the youngest of children. Orangutans and flying squirrels can be seen in the treetops, while gardens containing pepper, coffee and vanilla plants show kids where their food really comes from. This is a phenomenally informative excursion, and adults will be as gripped as kids.

Kinabatangan River

If you’d rather track them in the wild, then Sabah’s Kinabatangan River is one of the best spots to do that. You can cruise along in a boat rather than walking – much easier for little legs – and while you’re not guaranteed to see orangutans, the proboscis monkeys, macaques and hornbills should keep kids well entertained.

Stay in a traditional Iban longhouse

Sarawak is Malaysia’s cultural capital, and you shouldn’t miss the chance to stay in a traditional Iban longhouse with a dozen local families. You can buy food in the local market, cook with the community, enjoy the dances and traditional dress.

Children are wonderful ice-breakers and will soon be playing with their new Bornean friends – and discovering how life works without smartphones, laptops and TV.

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Tips for families

Kate Tyler, from our friends at Odyssey World, shares her tips on watching orangutans with kids: “A few years ago people couldn’t stand the thought of taking children on a plane for 14 hours, but attitudes have definitely changed and we do get a lot of families now. As a family, I'd rather go to Sabah. If you’ve got teenagers then Sarawak is great, they can carry their own stuff – but if you’re carrying a small child and suitcases then it’s tough! And you’re traveling by boat and plane and getting on and off the transport – I think you have to be incredibly brave! But as a family you can definitely learn some incredible things, especially at Sepilok. The staff are so genuine and passionate about what they do.”

Nicki Hollamby, from our tailor made vacation experts Audley Travel, shares her advice on watching orangutans with kids: “Go! It’s brilliant. If I was doing a family trip to Borneo, I’d spend half the time in Sarawak because you can base yourself in Kuching and do daytrips. It’s a brilliant city with plenty of character, and it’s more of a cultural capital. Whereas in Sabah, it’s wildlife and beach, wildlife and beach. I would always take kids over to Sabah and to Sepilok, and then along the Kanbatangan River, because although you’re in simple accommodation, there’s no trekking involved, you’re just pottering up and down the river on a boat, looking at the wildlife. You’ve got other areas in Sabah where you’re going deep into the rainforest and it’s not necessarily very good for families, because it’s quite rustic. But the boat’s really relaxing."

Roger Salwey, from our tailor made vacation specialists Odyssey World, shares his advice on watching orangutans with kids: “Indonesia is fine for families with a sense of adventure. When I went there I stayed in a lodge-type hotel with a swimming pool, but you would get more comfort and convenience on the Malaysian side. The Indonesian side is more rough and ready, English isn’t widely spoken, they’re trying to speak English but they don’t get as many visitors and so don’t really have the chance to use it.”

More about Orangutan

Best time to see orangutans

You can see orangutans any time of year - especially if you're heading to one of the superb sanctuaries or rehabilitation centers. But if you're also planning to head to the beach, Mount Kinabalu or the jungle, read our advice on when to see orangutans.

Orangutan watching travel guide

Only two islands in the world are home to the orangutan: Borneo and Sumatra. Find out the best places to spot them swinging through the trees in their native forests as well as up close in superb sanctuaries in our orangutan watching travel guide.

Best place to see orangutans

Borneo and Sumatra are the only places you can see orangutans in the wild. Both Sumatra and the Indonesian region of Kalimantan, in Borneo, are somewhat more intrepid destinations, while the Malaysian provinces of Sabah and Sarawak are easier to get around.

Best place to see orangutans in the wild

Most travelers head to the rehabilitation sanctuaries to see orangutans in Borneo and Sumatra. But there are plenty of places to see orangutans in their natural habitat, too. Read our guide to find out the best places to see orangutans in the wild.

Borneo wildlife

Orangutans are supremely adapted for life in the rainforest, but they are not the only unusual creatures you are likely to encounter here. Track sun bears in the forest; spy comically ugly proboscis monkeys; and watch out for slow lorises on night walks.

Volunteering with orangutans in Sarawak

Orangutans are only found naturally on Borneo and Sumatra, yet each year thousands go on orangutan volunteering vacations to see the numbers that remain. Each visit to a sanctuary or rehabilitation center supports the conservation of these creatures.

Orangutan watching tips

We've spoken to our vacation companies working in Borneo and Sumatra and asked them for their best orangutan watching tips. From wild orangutans vs. sanctuaries to how to support local communities - read their orangutan watching advice here.

Responsible orangutan watching

Orangutans are highly endangered across their range, so responsible orangutan watching is the only way to go. Find out more about volunteering, deforestation, and how to support the communities that live alongside these "old men of the forest".

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Written by Vicki Brown

Orangutan watching with kids