This is a must visit for anyone visiting Kuching. It is located about 30 minutes outside the city. I took a Grab car from my hotel which cost RM23. I asked the driver if he could wait for me and drive me back to the hotel, he agreed for RM50. The ticket into the reserve cost RM10 for foreigners, and the buggy cost RM15 to and from the feeding centre. It is free of charge to walk, but be prepared for a 20 to 30 minute walk in the heat. I was very fortunate to see five Orangutans, but please understand that this is not a zoo and is not guaranteed to see them. The rangers are very professional and helpful in answering questions. I went in the morning and was lucky that the weather was dry. Please bring an umbrella in case it rains. The feeding times are from 9 to 10am, and 3 to 4pm. Do check the website for updated information.

Just like Sepilok, I would say that this is a sanctuary worth visiting. We waited a while at the feeding areas for the Orangutans to turn up but it wasn’t to be. However, on our way back to the park entrance, we saw 7 orangutans on the side of the road. This turned out to be far better than seeing them from the viewing platform.

We have visited Semenggoh Nature Reserve from Kuching in the morning (we had ordered a grab) and left hotel around 08h, so we reached the centre early. The grab driver also collected us after the visit which was very convenient. At the centre we took the electrical car since there is quite a steep slope before you reach the feeding place where you can watch the orangutans. There are rangers that guide the visitors (e.g. indicating not to come to close) and they also provide some explanation and there are explanatory pannels (so good info is available). I found it very easy to visit the centre by ourselves (I did not find it needed to book a tour e.g.). We were very lucky to see several of the beautiful animals, it was a very nice experience and I really liked the centre. Defenitely recommend. After the centre we went with same grab driver to Annah Rais Longhouse (not far and easy to combine). This is good to plan from Kuching as half day trip AM (Semenggoh + Annah Rais Longhouse) and can be done easily without guided tour.

We had a fantastic morning where we saw 8 orangutans which included 2 babies and the dominant male who was first at the feeding platform. We went in a taxi with the driver who had collected us at the airport the day before. He also works as a guide for CPH travel so we had our own personal guide. We went in the morning and at the first feeding platform we saw a small family of the dominant male, his partner and their baby and 8 year old. The dominant male is so greedy he builds his nests in trees near the feeding platform so he is first on the scene when the food is put out and gets the best pick of the food The second feeding platform we saw another 4 which also included a mother and baby. We also had an orange bellied flower pecker bird take a shine to us and followed us as we walked between the feeding platforms viewing areas as there are two. We also saw some pitcher plants growing near to where we picked up the electric buggy for the journey back to the entrance. Please note flash light photography and tripods are banned. Some of these Orangutans are traumatised by previous encounters with humans before they came to Semenggoh and can mistake tripods for shotguns or blowpipes.