ADVENTURE I NATURE I
ADVENTURE I NATURE I Orang-utan in Semenggoh park New role for Semenggoh Until recently known as an orangutan “rescue centre” the status has now changed to “nature reserve” For over 20 years, the wardens at Semenggoh Nature Reserve had been training young orangutans, orphaned or rescued from captivity, on how to survive in the wild. The success of this programme has left the surrounding forest reserve with a thriving population of healthy adolescent and young adult orangutans, who are now breeding in the wild. The rescue programme has thus been transferred to Matang Wildlife Centre, leaving Semenggoh Nature Reserve as a comfortable home to its successful graduates, semi-wild orangutans and their babies. These majestic animals – our closest “cousins” in terms of DNA, once kept illegally as pets, are trained on how to fend for themselves before being released into the forest. Over the years, a number of orangutans have been trained and released and now form a semi-wild colony in the reserve. As regular as clockwork, they swing down from the trees for a free handout of fruit. If it is the fruiting season in the forest, some or even all of them may not come to feed. This in itself is a good sign and another step on the way to full rehabilitation. MATANG TAKES OVER AS MAIN RESCUE CENTRE Matang Wildlife Centre is to be found at the western corner of the Kubah National Park, about 40 minutes’ drive from Kuching. The centre’s 180 hectares of lowland forest provides natural surroundings for orangutans and other local fauna. Matang is a dedicated centre where endangered species, such as orangutans, are rehabilitated and released into the forest. While they are being educated, they remain at the centre, enabling visitors to get close to animals they might not spot in days of wandering the jungle. (Please note that wildlife sighting activities in Matang Wildlife Centre will be temporarily ceased from 1 st January 2020 until 30 th June 2020 (6 months) in order to facilitate repair and maintenance works on the infrastructure.) WORK HANDS-ON TO SAVE ORANGUTANS? YES, YOU CAN! Foreign visitors to Sarawak are able to volunteer to work with an orangutan conservation programme. With Orangutan Project Sdn Bhd, a conservation company offering alternative solutions and sustainable funding opportunities for the endangered wildlife on Borneo, visitors can give “hands-on” help in their quest to save the Red Apes of Borneo, with monthly departures to Batang Ai National Park 12 SMART GUIDE www.sarawaktourism.com
I ADVENTURE I NATURE © 2019 Paradesa Cycling Borneo Trans-Borneo Road Bike KAYAKING SARAWAK - PADDLING IN PARADISE For great photo opportunities (with a waterproof camera), kayaking on Sarawak’s Semadang River is a must. Semadang Kayak is the premier kayaking, bamboo rafting and adventure outfitter and service provider operating on the Sarawak River (Semadang River) at the Heart of Borneo’s Rainforest a short drive from Kuching, Sarawak. “Trans-Borneo Road Bike” has been launched by Kuchingbased adventure tour operator Paradesa* as a two-week adventure through the wilds of this incredible island. Visitors cycle a total of 1,370 kilometres on paved roads along the South China Sea and beaches, through mangrove forests and plantations, stunning landscapes and peaceful villages before taking on some challenging climbs to truly appreciate the natural splendour of Borneo. Accommodation varies from beachside / mountain resorts to international city hotels, and even a local homestay. The itinerary covers two countries, 8 international crossings and 1,370 kilometres in 12 cycling days, with enthusiasts cycling end-to-end, travelling East to West from the state of Sarawak, finishing in style in Sabah, crossing through the Sultanate of Brunei along the way. Highlights include encountering the hospitality of the multi-ethnic peoples of Borneo, exploring remote national parks of Sarawak for wildlife spotting, and being among the first to boast riding across Borneo. Those who like cycling, but perhaps not to the point of crossing the entire island, will find an eclectic range of other possibilities, with a number of short cycling itineraries, including “Best of Kuching: Heritage and Kampong Bike Tour”, “Sunset Kampong Ride with Hawker Food”, “A bite of Borneo by Bike”, and “Kuching Bike and Cook”. *Winner of 7th Sarawak Hornbill Tourism Award 2015/2016: - Outstanding Destination Management Company - Special Recognition: Emerging DMC Award With various package choices, the local operator takes visitors on the “kayaking and rafting trip of their life”. The trip is a family friendly and suitable for beginners, including a short “training” session at the start of the activity. Lunch is included in a small village along the way. The organisers themselves take photos of the intrepid kayakers, sent to them by email just after their visit Semadang Kayak www.sarawaktourism.com SMART GUIDE 13
