The Bohorok Orangutan Centre at Bukit Lawang
The Bohorok Orangutan Centre at Bukit Lawang
The Bohorok Orangutan Centre at Bukit Lawang
4.5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
We arrange jungle trekking tours through the rainforest of Gunung Leuser National Park, starting from the village Bukit Lawang,located in northern Sumatra,Indonesia. It is one of the last places in the world where you have the unique chance to observe the rare Sumatran orangutan in his natural habitat. The Gunung Leuser National Park is further habitat for many other species of exotic animals,flowers and plants. Since 2004, the tropical rainforests of the Gunung Leuser National Park together with 2 more national parks on Sumatra, are part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
Duration: More than 3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
143 reviews
Excellent
90
Very good
31
Average
18
Poor
3
Terrible
1
Anne clarie
5 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Loved our stay here. Saw orang utan and gibbons and so much more. Everyone must stay at least one night in the jungle. Great place for a jungle Sumatra.
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason B
Medan, Indonesia15 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
In order to buy a ticket for a feeding you have to go to an office and pay a gov't official a bit of money (200,000-300,000, i forget) Loads of tour guides and trekking companies will direct you to other places...but google maps should take you to the right place. There is NO NEED to go on a trek to see the orangutans, Trekking is nice and all, but if you just want to see the apes and get on with your trip, this is the way to go. The trekking guides will tell you that trekking is the best way, but they would, wouldn't they? After you get your tickety thing from the gov't office, you will walk upriver (without crossing the river until you see a boat on a rope for crossing the river. then you will hike a little ways, (10-20 min) up the mountain and the magical experience happens. Because so much effort is put into diverting tourists from this cheaper, easier option, the groups there are usually pretty small.
Written May 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elizabeth S
Jakarta, Indonesia58 contributions
Dec 2016
Where you can see Orang Utan in their own nature environment closely? Only 2 places in Indonesia, and one of them is at Bukit Lawang. If you have tight schedule, take a day trip (around 4-6 hours trekking return), and during your own way or back you can meet Orang Utan and see them closely. Please aware for the national park warning for not giving them food since they are easy to get infected from human disease. Also, please not open your bag zipper since they hate the sound and will become aggresive and possibly to attack you because of that. Please stay near your guide and never decide to walk alone. Use guide tour is a MUST!
Written December 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SS L
12 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
I have mixed feelings about this activity...
I'll start with good points:
- of course it's a marvellous experience to see free orangutans who look happier than those locked in zoos cages
- I suppose it can bring awareness to people to associations who try to conserve these cousins of ours and by all means you should!
The negative points:
- not all tourists nor guides respect the guidelines of having these creatures around cause I saw :
* some people smoke both tourist and guide
* some guide just for the sake the tourists getting good photos, would do whatever to make them turn e.g continously whistling and that was even irritating for me!
* some guides pretended or for real gave food e.g banana just to get them to turn even though we're not supposed to
* some people from both sides seemed to stand too close!
- I think there should be limit of how many people to see 1 orangutan in 1 time cause I can imagine it must be irritating for them to be surrounded by so many people who take photos (I think some people don't always remember to turn off their flash!), keep trying to get their attention by doing whatever, smoke, make noise e.g talking to each other, etc.
PS I'd also encourage tourists who visit this area, Bukit Lawang, and surroundings e.g Tangkahan etc. to donate to the locals who are animal farmers. Because for some odd reason, the management or owner of palm oil plantations in these areas put grass poison so grass cannot grow on these lands so the lcoal farmers' live stock e.g cows are so thin, you can see their ribs cause they can't get enough food! The farmers, we suppose, ate also too poor to buy hay for their cows to eat. Then it's of course a vicious cycle that these cows cannot produce milk nor have enough meat for the farmers to sell or to consume by themselves, thus the poverty cycle will never end!
I'll start with good points:
- of course it's a marvellous experience to see free orangutans who look happier than those locked in zoos cages
- I suppose it can bring awareness to people to associations who try to conserve these cousins of ours and by all means you should!
The negative points:
- not all tourists nor guides respect the guidelines of having these creatures around cause I saw :
* some people smoke both tourist and guide
* some guide just for the sake the tourists getting good photos, would do whatever to make them turn e.g continously whistling and that was even irritating for me!
* some guides pretended or for real gave food e.g banana just to get them to turn even though we're not supposed to
* some people from both sides seemed to stand too close!
- I think there should be limit of how many people to see 1 orangutan in 1 time cause I can imagine it must be irritating for them to be surrounded by so many people who take photos (I think some people don't always remember to turn off their flash!), keep trying to get their attention by doing whatever, smoke, make noise e.g talking to each other, etc.
PS I'd also encourage tourists who visit this area, Bukit Lawang, and surroundings e.g Tangkahan etc. to donate to the locals who are animal farmers. Because for some odd reason, the management or owner of palm oil plantations in these areas put grass poison so grass cannot grow on these lands so the lcoal farmers' live stock e.g cows are so thin, you can see their ribs cause they can't get enough food! The farmers, we suppose, ate also too poor to buy hay for their cows to eat. Then it's of course a vicious cycle that these cows cannot produce milk nor have enough meat for the farmers to sell or to consume by themselves, thus the poverty cycle will never end!
Written August 31, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul Y
Perth, Australia13 contributions
Dec 2013 • Family
We saw some Orang-utans which was good. However we only saw them because they are feed at platforms at set times and they know it. They came, they ate and they left.
I thought this was a bit zoo like. I had expected to see they in natural conditions. Bit nieve maybe.
Steep slopes were good introduction to trekking in Sumatra (but steps here so easier).
Permits all pre-organised (Expedition jungle super efficient) but did not see inside center building because of this (so don't know what if anything is inside building). We were short on time as off to another trek.
Boat crossing to get to centre was nice.
I thought this was a bit zoo like. I had expected to see they in natural conditions. Bit nieve maybe.
Steep slopes were good introduction to trekking in Sumatra (but steps here so easier).
Permits all pre-organised (Expedition jungle super efficient) but did not see inside center building because of this (so don't know what if anything is inside building). We were short on time as off to another trek.
Boat crossing to get to centre was nice.
Written September 12, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stadsholt
Denmark20 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
Bohorok Orangutan Centre is a must see place. We came there around noon and was welcomed by our guide. He took us into the jungle, and explained about it so well, that we, 2 adult and 2 kids, was so impressed. There is no guarantee to see orangutans, but we had the luck, as our guide was so experienced, and found 2 mothers with their babies. one mother and her baby came down, so that we could hand feed them :-). We are so happy that we had a guide, as you would never see the orangutans with them. They are all the money worth. The trip took around 4 hours, where we saw the wonderfull jungle of Indonesia, monkeys, orangutans and other small animals.
It is hot in the jungle, but if you have enough water, 1 l. per person, good shoes and extra T-shirt, nearly everyone in good shape can do this tracking.
Bring swimwear, if you want to be cooled down after the trip, as there is a nice cool river close by.
It is hot in the jungle, but if you have enough water, 1 l. per person, good shoes and extra T-shirt, nearly everyone in good shape can do this tracking.
Bring swimwear, if you want to be cooled down after the trip, as there is a nice cool river close by.
Written August 7, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex J
Athens, Greece1,134 contributions
Jul 2019
Amazing experience. We must have seen around 10 orang utans, most are semi-tame, and they were actually quite bold, coming very close to us and even trying to (and succeeding in) stealing our fruit. Parts of the trek were demanding, so ask ahead. If you are interested only in seeing orang utans, you do not need to go for the long trek - that one follows the short trek and involves quite a lot of upway walking on slippery ground and you don't really see any orang utans any more.
We visited with the guides from Thomas Retreat, they were called Yoga and Raining. Both were amazing. They were knowledgeable and seemed truly interested in getting us to see as much as possible.
Visiting this center is an amazing experience. The animals seem happy (they reproduce) and even if one could say that by being exposed to tourists, they are not completely in their natural habitat, by visiting, you also do your own little bit in contributing toward the protection of orang utans as well as the rainforest.
We visited with the guides from Thomas Retreat, they were called Yoga and Raining. Both were amazing. They were knowledgeable and seemed truly interested in getting us to see as much as possible.
Visiting this center is an amazing experience. The animals seem happy (they reproduce) and even if one could say that by being exposed to tourists, they are not completely in their natural habitat, by visiting, you also do your own little bit in contributing toward the protection of orang utans as well as the rainforest.
Written September 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
iocdaff
lisbon - portugal57 contributions
Nov 2016 • Friends
It is really beautiful to see these animals in the wild. They are used to human presence, so they are not absolutely wild, but still they are free and you have the chance to come close and observe them... if they are willing that day!!!
Written May 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Franklin Ocha
Medan, Indonesia274 contributions
May 2016 • Friends
Access from Medan takes 3,5 to 4 hours due to scores of potholes on many parts of the road. This needs special care from local government. At the entrance, we were charged twice; I suspect one is illegal. Local food is quite affordable. But the place is not totally clean. Littering is commonly done by locals, even in the river.
River and forest mainly make up this place. The river is fast-flowing, but sometimes the current gets stronger when it rains in the mountain. Trekking activities are available, with guides. The shortest trip takes about 3 hours, and longer ones can take several days. The target is to spot primates in their natural habitat, forest. When trekking into the forest, bring mosquito repellent lotion, put on light clothes as some points in the forest are quite steep, a bottle of water, and camera. Guides are necessary. To get the most out of this place, it's better to stay one night.
Overall, this place offers natural beauty to get away from hectic life, and some activities like trekking and swimming in the river for nature lovers and adventurers.
River and forest mainly make up this place. The river is fast-flowing, but sometimes the current gets stronger when it rains in the mountain. Trekking activities are available, with guides. The shortest trip takes about 3 hours, and longer ones can take several days. The target is to spot primates in their natural habitat, forest. When trekking into the forest, bring mosquito repellent lotion, put on light clothes as some points in the forest are quite steep, a bottle of water, and camera. Guides are necessary. To get the most out of this place, it's better to stay one night.
Overall, this place offers natural beauty to get away from hectic life, and some activities like trekking and swimming in the river for nature lovers and adventurers.
Written May 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael C
Auckland, New Zealand2 contributions
Sep 2016 • Couples
We booked a day trip from Medan and it was amazing. Our guide was very informative and taught us about a lot of the wildlife and even got us eating some of the jungle food they would eat (leaves and nuts). And we also saw a lot of monkeys and the highlight was the Orangutans. We finished off the 5hr trek with a river raft back into town. It was one of the most memorable things we have done so far on our trip. The Centre is now closed but its even better to see the Orangutangs in the jungle on their own and maybe if you are lucky the can come really close.
Written October 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello. Is it possible to see rhinos somewhere in Sumatra? May be you have rhino sanctuary where peoples can see them?
Written April 12, 2020
Who founded the sanctuary at Bukit Lawang
Written September 18, 2017
Wich sanctuary. It has closed 10 years ago. Thats what the locals told me.
Written September 19, 2017
Hello , is it possible to do a trek on a day trip from Medan? Is the feeding platform still closed? Does this mean your chances of seeing an orangutang are slim?
Written March 11, 2017
Hi Jon,
Day trip from medan is possible since the journey time from medan to bukit lawang only 3 - 4 hr driving. I suggest you to go early morning from medan, ask your hotel or hostel for transportation by car. Regular price is around 90-130k idr. Book a tour guide before so they can pick you up from car terminal and drive you to bukit lawang to start the trip. They also need time to register you to the national park comittee. I suggest you go with tour guide named Jungle Edie. I had best experience with him for the tour.
The last car back to bukit lawang is at 4pm, so you have to leave the jungle at 2pm (inform your car back to your tour guide so they will arrange the best area to see orang utan and other species in the national park).
Hope this help.
Written March 18, 2017
How do I get there using public transportation and or private guide tour?
Written December 3, 2016
anda bisa menggunakan jasa pemandu atau jasa paket wisata.
silahkan anda hubungi di WhatsApp. 082304566566
Written February 9, 2017
Hello- I see someone has recently commented the feeding station has closed? Is this permanent or just temporary? Can you still get good viewings of the Orangutans without attending the feeding times? Thanks.
Written March 28, 2016
Can you visit the viewing platform without a guide?
Written February 22, 2016
Hello Michelle, nice to meet you.
Unfortunately no, you will have to be accompanied by a guide to reach the viewing platform. The track to reach the viewing platform is quite harsh, so it is better to hire a guide so they can help you get through the forest and they can help to take your bags. You could also rent a tube from them to go water tubing when you reach the viewing platform.
I hope it helps. Let me know if you have further questions. ^^v
Written February 23, 2016
hi, i'd like to know how did you get the permit to enter in the park? and how hard are the trekking of two days?
Written August 17, 2015
Hi my name is Athena,
I was just wondering how much is the camera tax? I have done quite a bit of research on this and the prices do vary quite a bit.
Thank You
Written January 19, 2015
Hello Athena,
I was in the Bohorok centre last november. They charged us 200.000 IDR to bring a camera. We told our guide that this was complete bull and gave him a decision. On the forehand we wanted to give a tip and figured out that this would be around the 200.000 IDR. So instead of paying a camera tax we gave the money as a tip that they 'use' for the Orangutan Centre!
Happy travels!
Written January 21, 2015
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