ADVENTURE I NATURE
ADVENTURE I NATURE IOrang-utan inSemenggoh parkNew role for SemenggohUntil recently known as an orangutan “rescue centre”the status has now changed to “nature reserve”For over 20 years, the wardens at Semenggoh Nature Reservehad been training young orangutans, orphaned or rescuedfrom captivity, on how to survive in the wild. The success ofthis programme has left the surrounding forest reserve witha thriving population of healthy adolescent and young adultorangutans, who are now breeding in the wild.The rescue programme has thus beentransferred to Matang Wildlife Centre,leaving Semenggoh Nature Reserve asa comfortable home to its successfulgraduates, semi-wild orangutans andtheir babies.These majestic animals – our closest“cousins” in terms of DNA, once keptillegally as pets, are trained on howto fend for themselves before beingreleased into the forest. Over the years, anumber of orangutans have been trainedand released and now form a semi-wildcolony in the reserve. As regular asclockwork, they swing down from thetrees for a free handout of fruit. If it isthe fruiting season in the forest, some oreven all of them may not come to feed.This in itself is a good sign and anotherstep on the way to full rehabilitation.MATANG TAKES OVERAS MAIN RESCUE CENTREMatang Wildlife Centre is to be found atthe western corner of the Kubah NationalPark, about 40 minutes’ drive fromKuching. The centre’s 180 hectaresof lowland forest provides naturalsurroundings for orangutans and otherlocal fauna. Matang is a dedicatedcentre where endangered species, suchas orangutans, are rehabilitated andreleased into the forest. While they arebeing educated, they remain at the centre,enabling visitors to get close to animalsthey might not spot in days of wanderingthe jungle. (Please note that wildlifesighting activities in Matang WildlifeCentre will be temporarily ceased from1 st January 2020 until 30 th June 2020 (6months) in order to facilitate repair andmaintenance works on the infrastructure.)WORK HANDS-ON TO SAVEORANGUTANS? YES, YOUCAN!Foreign visitors to Sarawak areable to volunteer to work with anorangutan conservation programme.With Orangutan Project Sdn Bhd,a conservation company offeringalternative solutions and sustainablefunding opportunities for the endangeredwildlife on Borneo, visitors can give“hands-on” help in their quest to savethe Red Apes of Borneo, with monthlydepartures to Batang Ai National Park12 SMART GUIDE www.sarawaktourism.com
I ADVENTURE I NATURE© 2019 ParadesaCyclingBorneoTrans-BorneoRoad BikeKAYAKINGSARAWAK -PADDLINGINPARADISEFor great photoopportunities (with awaterproof camera),kayaking on Sarawak’sSemadang River is amust.Semadang Kayak is the premierkayaking, bamboo raftingand adventure outfitter andservice provider operating onthe Sarawak River (SemadangRiver) at the Heart of Borneo’sRainforest a short drive fromKuching, Sarawak.“Trans-Borneo Road Bike” hasbeen launched by Kuchingbasedadventure tour operatorParadesa* as a two-weekadventure through the wilds ofthis incredible island.Visitors cycle a total of 1,370 kilometres onpaved roads along the South ChinaSea and beaches, through mangroveforests and plantations, stunninglandscapes and peaceful villages beforetaking on some challenging climbs totruly appreciate the natural splendourof Borneo. Accommodation variesfrom beachside / mountain resorts tointernational city hotels, and even a localhomestay.The itinerary covers two countries,8 international crossings and 1,370kilometres in 12 cycling days, withenthusiasts cycling end-to-end,travelling East to West from the stateof Sarawak, finishing in style in Sabah,crossing through the Sultanate of Bruneialong the way.Highlights include encountering thehospitality of the multi-ethnic peoplesof Borneo, exploring remote nationalparks of Sarawak for wildlife spotting,and being among the first to boast ridingacross Borneo.Those who like cycling, but perhapsnot to the point of crossing the entireisland, will find an eclectic range ofother possibilities, with a number ofshort cycling itineraries, including “Bestof Kuching: Heritage and KampongBike Tour”, “Sunset Kampong Ride withHawker Food”, “A bite of Borneo by Bike”,and “Kuching Bike and Cook”.*Winner of 7th Sarawak Hornbill TourismAward 2015/2016: - OutstandingDestination Management Company -Special Recognition: Emerging DMCAwardWith various package choices,the local operator takes visitorson the “kayaking and raftingtrip of their life”. The trip is afamily friendly and suitable forbeginners, including a short“training” session at the start ofthe activity. Lunch is includedin a small village along the way.The organisers themselves takephotos of the intrepid kayakers,sent to them by email just aftertheir visitSemadangKayakwww.sarawaktourism.comSMART GUIDE 13
