Malaysia - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 505

scaring off the long-tail macaques that
lurk nearby, waiting to snatch their fill
of fruit.
Visitors must leave all their
possessions (bar cameras) in the lockers
provided, as macaques and orang-utans
have been known to snatch items that
tickle their fancy.
here are also a number of pleasant
walks throughout the park ranging from
250m to 4km in length; to gain access,
you need to register at the on-site visitor
reception centre.

Rainforest Discovery Centre
he Rainforest Discovery Centre (daily
8am-5pm; RM10; T 089 533780,
W forest.sabah.gov.my/rdc) - a small
nature reserve that's home to flying foxes,
gliding lizards, orang-utans and more - is
a 1.5km walk back towards the entrance
to Sepilok from SORC. here is a visitor
centre by a small lake, from which nature
trails branch off into the jungle. One of
the longer loops leads you past the
Sepilok Giant, an enormous hardwood
tree, while just beyond the lake you reach
the first of three canopy towers, linked by
a metal canopy walk. Each tower is
named after a bird you're likely to see
from it (such as Hornbill Tower and
Trogon Tower); the best time to see
wildlife is early in the morning or later in
the afternoon, so it's worth spending a
night in the park.
Just behind the visitor centre is the
Plant Discovery Garden , with a maze of
short trails showcasing pitcher plants, the
ginger family, giant orchids, medicinal
plants and cacti.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By bus To get to Sepilok from Sandakan take any bus from
the central bus station numbering #14 or higher, since
Sepilok is located just off “Batu 14” (hourly 9am-4.30pm;
45min; RM3). From Batu 14 it's 2.5km to SORC along a road
lined with accommodation options; walk or take one of
the taxis that shuttle to and from SORC (RM3 per person).
A taxi from Sandakan to the park costs around RM45.
To move on to other parts of Sabah, note that the long-
distance bus station is en route to Sandakan, so ask the
driver to drop you there. Many lodging options along
the Kinabatangan River can pick you up from Sepilok if
notified in advance.
By taxi Most of the accommodation lodges can arrange
taxis to Sandakan. The journey (25min) should cost
around RM45.

6

Bornean Sun Bear Conservation
Centre
he sun bear , named for a vaguely
sun-like white crescent on its black chest,
is the smallest and least studied of the
world's bears (in spite of the fact that it
easily rivals the panda for cuteness). An
omnivore and an expert climber native to
Borneo and other parts of Southeast Asia,
it's increasingly under threat due to
massive destruction of its natural habitat,
competition from other predators, such
as leopards, tigers and other bears, illegal
hunting for body parts such as the gall
bladder, bones and claws used in
traditional Chinese medicine, and the
illegal pet trade.
he Bornean Sun Bear Conservation
Centre ( W bsbcc.org.my), now open to the
public (daily 9am-4pm; RM30), has
made it its mission to rescue and
rehabilitate orphaned and ex-captive sun
bears and to raise awareness both locally
and worldwide regarding their plight.
Currently home to 28 sun bears and due
to increase capacity to 50 once the new
bear house is completed, the conservation
centre has a visitor information centre
and several boardwalks (including
wheelchair-friendly ramps) leading to
viewpoints overlooking the reserve where
the bears roam, giving visitors a chance to
observe these remarkable mammals in
their natural habitat.
For more information on sun bears,
see W sunbears.wildlifedirect.org. To
help protect them, never buy bear
products in markets, and if you see
them on sale, report the sellers to the
local authorities.

ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
Most lodging options include breakfast in the price and
some offer full board. Otherwise, use the cafeteria at SORC
which has inexpensive rice and noodle dishes.
★

Paganakan Dii T 012 8681005, W paganakandii
.com. Beautifully situated on a ridge overlooking the
jungle below, this is the only lodging option in Sepilok
that's off the other side of the highway from SORC. The
dorms have “breathable” walls that keep them cool;
the en-suite duplex hut rooms and ridge duplexes have