8 June 2024

Sumatran orangutans in Gunung Leuser National Park

If you are looking for a reliable site for the Sumatran orangutan and only have two days, then Bukit Lawang is the place.  Its only 3-4 hours drive from Medan airport, which is half the drive time of other locations mentioned on MW. I saw six orangutans in a 4 hours hike, a mother and baby (x2) and mating pair. Some of the females are rehabilitated and released into the area so make sure you keep hiking into the park if you want to encounter a wild (usually male) orangutan.  I organized the trip through Hotel Orangutan which picked me up from the airport and then I stayed in their guesthouse for two nights    https://hotelorangutan.com/

The hotel guides were good and its possible to arrange overnight trips if you want to go deeper into this incredible park (the only place on earth with wild tigers, rhinos, elephants and orangutans). If you leave before 8 am you can avoid the z00-loud tourists who really should be kept in check by the guides. We also saw Thomas’s langur,  Slivered leaf monkey and long-tailed macaque.

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Post author

Stuart Chapman
Since the age of 5, I wanted to be a naturalist. A lifelong conservationist and advocate for nature, I have lived in Asia for more than 20 years and worked for WWF for over three decades. Starting my international career as a ranger trainer in Wolong Panda Reserve in China in 1991, I have been mammal watching ever since. My hobby and personal quest is to see all 40 species of wild cat and I have currently seen 33 species. I am also trying to see 1000 species of mammal by 2025!
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1 Comment

  • 10 June 2024
    Vyca_orangutansumatra

    Thank You for Visiting Our Natural Forest

    We are grateful for your visit to our natural forest, a sanctuary for all living beings. Your presence helps us continue to protect and preserve this beautiful place for future generations. We hope you enjoyed your time here and will come back to experience the serenity and wonder of nature again.

    Thank you!🦧🌿🌠

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