Hidden amongst a veritable treasure trove of tropical plants, grasses, huge trees and spectacular orchids in bloom, the quaint bungalows of the Sepilok Nature Lodge are within walking distance of the world-famous Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve, precious home of the last wild Orang-Utans of Northern Borneo. Combining rich traditional style with contemporary luxury, Sepilok Nature Lodge is the ideal starting point for most other wildlife land destinations in Sabah such as the fauna rich Kinabatangan River and the surrounding Sukau area. Sepilok Nature Lodge also offers the perfect setting for relaxing after a long plane trip, before continuing on a diving holiday to Lankayan
Dining in Sepilok brings you double pleasure. You get to feast your stomach with sumptuous meals and at the same time feast your eyes with view of the lake and the beautiful rainforest as the backdrop. At night during dinner, instead of being serenaded with violins or acoustic guitar, you’ll be serenaded with sounds of nocturnal creatures and insects of all kinds
The biggest attraction one could do while visiting the Sepilok lowland tropical forest would be watching the orangutans. Watching only the orangutans, that is: because this formidable stretch of wilderness-wisely preserved and just a few miles away from the modern hustle and bustle of Sandakan offers an unequal opportunity to observe the utterly complex mechanisms of nature at work in the tropics and in comfort. It is then – and only then – that one will be able to hear the hypnotic, cicada-like song of the tree frogs, the booming, cackling call of the great hornbill, the soft rustling of the dead leaves on the forest floor at the passing of a bronze skink. Only then the metallic shine of spider eyes will be apparent, only then the dead brown little branch will start walking with the hesitant steps of the stick insect, and it is only then that the bright green leaf buds on a low shrub will suddenly take the coiled shape of the pit viper waiting in ambush. After having admired for as long as needed the delicate grace of the big red-haired apes with their extraordinary prowess in tree-climbing and upside-down vine-dangling, and after having been dutifully moved to the depth of their heart by their soulful gaze (no other primate looks at you like an orangutan does), the visitors should stay a little longer in the forest and take a leisurely stroll along the well marked trail in the company of a biologist and guide from the Rehabilitation Center
To fully appreciate the ancient rhythms of the forest, the best thing one could do is to stay at least a few days in Sepilok Nature Lodge, a most beautiful compound bordering on the protected area (it is actually not uncommon to have Orang Utans or pythons wandering around among the chalets) and perfectly integrated with the surrounding forest. Set in a spectacularly landscaped private area of manicured lawns and rolling hills, the fully air- conditioned (and very comfortable) twin bed chalets feature beautiful lake or jungle view verandahs and private bathrooms with hot water; the surrounding garden – which would take half a day to explore – offers and amazing array of tropical plants and grasses and a collection of more than one hundred and fifty different Asian orchid species. Front office, tour information desk and restaurant are all integrated in the resort main building built with charming traditional wooden interior reflecting a truly tranquil setting, overlooking the green shimmering curtain of lowland tropical rainforest canopies with some formations reaching almost 80 to 120 feet. A view of the beautiful natural lake at the heart of the resort is a sight not to be missed. Guest can enjoy a sumptuous meals cooked by our chef with a fusion of local and western cuisines served in the central building under cove rd terraces in a serene setting overlooking the lake and virgin rainforest.The Orang-Utan Rehabilitation Center (where young captive or abandoned Orang Utans are being helped by a highly trained and motivated staff to re-adjust to a life in the wild, and where a Sumatran rhino breeding program is in progress) and the actual Sepilok Forest Reserve are just a few minutes’ walk away, and the Resort staff are happy to organize birding, trekking and river trips to the neighboring areas (including the fauna rich Sukau area along the Kinabatangan river and Turtle Island off North of Sandakan
