Sepilok

Sepilok is a small town in Sabah, Borneo that is 26 km from Sandakan. It is most famous for its Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. It also features Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre and Rainforest Discovery Centre.

By bus

 * From Kota Kinabalu: Catch the bus to Sandakan from Inanam station in KK (RM43.5, ~6 hours). Ask the driver to drop you off at Sepilok. From Sepilok road junction take a taxi to the park or any nearby hotel, RM5 per person, taxi drivers usually wait at the Sepilok road junction.
 * From Semporna: Catch the Tung Ma bus to Sandakan (RM40, 5 hr) and catch a taxi from there to Sepilok.
 * From Sandakan: Bus 14 leaves ~hourly from the minibus station in Sandakan from 09:00 to 14:00, with the last bus leaving the park at 16:00. RM6 one way (2016).

By car
The road from Sandakan is well signed making for an easy journey for those self-driving.

By taxi
Taxi from Sandakan center costs approx RM 50 one way and RM 100 for a return trip (2016). Arrangements can be made in advance with your accommodation in Sepilok for a car to meet you at the Sandakan airport, 45 MYR one way per car; the same price will be charged if arranging taxi via taxi booth in the airport (2022).

Taxi ride to Labuk Bay to see proboscis monkeys costs RM45 per person return. Taxi to Sukau (starting point for boat trips on Kinabatangan river) cost RM50 per person one way.

See






Do
There are a couple of trails within the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre area, but only the 1.1 km is possible without a special permit, although this trail is closed until further notice as of Oct 2016. Similarly, there are many trails in the Rainforest Discovery Centre. These also require permits which can be obtained at the entrance ticket booth.



Buy
The fundraising shop at Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre sells postcards, fluffy monkey toys and other touristy merchandise.

Cafeteria near the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre entrance has a small shop inside, also there is a smallish on the road junction leading to RDC. Both are very small and has very limited variety of products. The nearest big supermarket is "Giant", taxi ride there costs 35 RM one way/60 RM return.

No banks or ATMs are available in Sepilok. The closest ATM is at the Mile 8 settlement, and a taxi ride there costs RM 30 one way, RM 40 return (2016).

Eat and drink
Sabah Vegetables are a local specialty. When stir-fried with garlic or other herbs/spices these ferns are tasty and have a texture like crunchy bok choy or asparagus.

Most of the hotels have their own restaurants.

Go next



 * Sandakan. The practical departure point for those travelling by air.