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Auth Code: 4175705

Malaysian Borneo - Sarawak

TRIPS TO THIS AREA WILL BE AVAILABLE IN 2012. STAY TUNED FOR SOME GREAT EXPEDITIONS THEN!

Matang Wildlife Centre

Travel Type :  Small groups and Family Friendly.
Activities : Orangutan viewing, wildlife viewing,bird watching and more
Accommodation : More information to come soon.
Transport : More information to come soon.
How this helps Orangutans : More information to come.
Expeditions : More information to come in 2012

Matang Wildlife Centre is located in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. It is situated at the western corner of Kubah National Park, which in itself consists of approximately 2230 hectares of lowland mixed dipterocarp forest. Officially launched on 25 July 1998, Matang Wildlife Centre was opened with the aim of acting as a holding centre for confiscated and surrendered animals in Sarawak. Where possible, the animals where then rehabilitated and released into the wild or semi-wild conditions. The centre ceased rehabilitation activities when the Sarawak Forestry  authority was privatised. Now known as Sarawak Forestry Corporation, it is keen to restore Matang Wildlife Centre to its former glory and to improve the conservation work at its main rehabilitation centre.

Semenggoh Wildlife Centre

Travel Type :  Small groups and Family Friendly.
Activities : Orangutan viewing, wildlife viewing,bird watching and more Accommodation : More information to come soon.
Transport : More information to come soon.
How this helps Orangutans : More information to come.
Expeditions : More information to come in 2012

The Semenggoh Wildlife Centre was established in 1975 to care for wild animals which have either been found injured in the forest, orphaned, or were previously kept as illegal pets. The centre is situated within the boundaries of the Semenggoh Nature Reserve, approximately 24 km from Kuching.The Centre has been a resounding success, caring for almost 1,000 endangered mammals, birds and reptiles from dozens of different species. However it is the orang utan rehabilitation programme that has made the Centre famous. In one respect, Semenggoh has been too successful – so many orang utan have been successfully reintroduced into the surrounding forest reserve that the forest’s carrying capacity has been reached, and rehabilitation activities have been transferred to the Matang Wildlife Centre, part of Kubah National Park.

As a result of its success, Semenggoh’s role has changed and it is nowadays a centre for the study of orang utan biology and behaviour, as well as a safe and natural haven for dozens of semi-wild orang utan, graduates of the rehabilitation programme. It is also home to numerous baby orang utan, born in the wild to rehabilitated mothers, a further testament to the success of the programme.

A visit to Semenggoh is a once in a lifetime experience - a chance to see semi-wild orang utan, ranging from tiny infants and boisterous adolescents to dignified mature adults, enjoying life in a secure natural habitat.


Batang Ai National Park  

Travel Type :  Small groups and Family Friendly.
Activities : Orangutan viewing, wildlife viewing,bird watching and more Accommodation : More information to come soon.
Transport : More information to come soon.
How this helps Orangutans : More information to come.
Expeditions : More information to come in 2012

This beautiful national park is home to one of the world's most endangered species, the Orang Utan. Besides being home to many other protected wildlife like the hornbills and gibbons, it is also the water catchment area to Sarawak's only artificial lake. This huge lake stretches up the Engkari and Ai valleys. The dam is part of the Batang Ai Hydro-Electricity Complex.
Beyond the artificial lake, more than an hour's boat ride upriver from the dam, visitors can see beautiful lowland mixed dipterocarp forest, with drooping trees overhanging the rivers. River transport is the main mode of communication here. The rivers are fast flowing, clear and very refreshing. During dry periods, the water level gets quite low and visitors have to help push their boats upstream - an enjoyable experience.
Another major attraction upriver is the Iban longhouses. Visitors can get to experience the authentic longhouse atmosphere as most of the longhouse dwellers still practise their traditional lifestyle. The Ibans also produce local handicrafts, like their 'Pua Kumbu', rattan backpacks 'selabit', rattan mats and even gourd for collecting water.
At the moment, the National Parks and Wildlife Office does not have any visitor facilities yet. Some private tour companies however, do provide visitor accommodation. Trails are now available in the park. There are 4 trails to choose from and they pass through mixed dipterocarp forest, old secondary forest, active shifting cultivations areas and ancient burial grounds.
The Park is located about 250 km from Kuching City. Hilton Longhouse Resort and several longhouses provide accommodation facilities just outside the park.
This Park is unique in having the local communities involved in its management. The communities have formed a cooperative 'Kooperasi Serbaguna Ulu Batang Ai' and is helping the Forest Department to conserve the park. Visitors are encouraged to use the boating facilities offered by the cooperative as their funds are kept within the community for continued development purposes.