Several years ago (2012) we took a family holiday to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah staying at the Tanjung Aru Shangri-La. Sabah is a Malaysian state located on the island of Bornio which is famous for its orangutan population.
A day trip that was available at this hotel was to take a shuttle bus to their sister hotel Shangri-La Rasa Ria to see the orangutans in their Nature Reserve.
Whilst we have seen orangutans at the Perth Zoo perched on top of metal polls, there is nothing like seeing them swing through the natural jungle vegetation where they should be living.
The Sharngri-La Rasa Ria Nature Reserve
We slather ourselves in insect repellent, walk along the mud trail through the dark green forest to the wooden viewing platform.
At 10am fresh fruits and vegetables are laid out on the feeding platform.
We can hear the orangutans before we see them, calling to each. The trees start twitch and sway.
Then these beautiful orange animals come swinging high up through the trees
Making their way down to the feeding table.
With tummies full the orangutans swing back up into the towering trees to (almost) perform for us. Showcasing how effortlessly they make their way from one vine to the next.
Back down for a last takeaway bite.
Before the screeching monkeys appear to take the remnants of the food.
And play with one another.
All too soon the food is finished and the orangutans and monkeys swing back off into the distance.
We make our way back along the trail towards the resort and are fortunate enough to come across one of the baby orangutans with its handler.
Our shuttle bus back is not due to leave for another 2 hours. We change into bathers from our packed swimming bag and are able to utilise the resort pool to cool down during the wait.
And slip down the slide – A LOT.
We have a spot of lunch on the sun lounges overlooking the sea.
Then it’s time to take the shuttle back to our resort the Tanjung Aru Shangri-La for the remainder of our family holiday to Kota Kinabalu with kid(s).
* Please Note: that as of March 2016 the orangutan program came to a successful conclusion. However the wildlife conservation program at the Nature Interpretation Center continues, contact Shangri-La Rasa Ria for details.
Very nice photo series – love seeing the monkeys in their natural environment rather than in a zoo.
Thanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-other-worldly-insect-world.html
Exactly I love to see animals in the natural inhabitant.
I have never been to Kota Kinabalu and your photos show it is much different to how I imagined it to be. Maybe a place to put on my list. I’d love to see those orangutans in their natural surrounds. Not so much the monkeys though, as we saw lots of naughty monkeys in Bali. Really enjoyed this post Sally-Ann thanks for linking up with #TheWeeklyPostcard
The orangutans are truly special to see Lyn and definitely worth a visit as is Kota Kinabalu, a bit different from other South East Asian countries.
Beautiful photos! It’s great that you were able to visit the Nature Reserve and have fun at the pool before your shuttle picked you up! (I love orangutans, so I was excited to see photos of them here.) I’m glad you had such a wonderful experience at the Nature Reserve!
Yes Jessica great to have the opportunity for a cool down after watching the orangutans.
Such a fun holiday!! Orang-utans are sooo adorable, I have only seen them at the zoo!
#MondayEscapes
I always feel sorry for the orangutans at our local zoo, sitting up high on a metal pole. So much more pleasant to see them swinging through the jungle.
This looks like such a fun place to spend a day! I enjoy our local zoos but it’s so much nicer to have animals be in the closest approximation to their natural habitats.
Thank you so much for joining us Photo Friday the last two weeks! I appreciate your support!
There’s nothing like seeing animals in there natural environment is there Jen.