Orang Utan Island
Orang Utan Island
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4.0
84 reviews
Excellent
31
Very good
25
Average
12
Poor
13
Terrible
3
ian
Sleaford, UK10 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
We went to this island with a degree of excitement but sadly what it delivered was not what we expected. I went by taxi from KL and on arrival our driver took us to the ticket booth. We crossed to the island on a tourist boat that was reliable safe and well piloted. When we eventually got onto the island it was however found to be run down to the degree whereby I thought it was perhaps an old attraction that was coming to the end of its existence. There were not many orangutans to look at or pavements to walk around to see the animals. Sightings were limited although we could hear banging in the hidden areas so they were perhaps locked inside. Further the guide was not very informative and seemed conscious that there was not much for us to see. Even the taxi driver said the attraction had declined massively since he was there about 18 months ago. A disappointment and I would not recommend wasting your valuable holiday time visiting it.
Written 20 July 2023
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.
STELLA08Auckland
Auckland Central, New Zealand475 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
I'm sceptical about animal encounters in SE Asia & definitely didn't want to go to Ecotown after reading about it, but Orangutan Island was great. We did it on the cheap by hiring an English speaking driver from Ocean Jupiter Tours & it cost 330 Ringgit for the trip. Pleasant drive over the new 20km bridge. Laketown Resort seems a bit strange - it was like a ghost town. Paid our (cheap) entrance to the ferry/orangutan island & got the 9.45am ferry (they go every 45 minutes). Nice 15 minute ride. Saw orangutans as soon as we got off the boat & saw about 12 of them altogether. The staff obviously love their charges & the young lady that was our guide was very informative. As you will have read from other posts, visitors walk down through a wire "caged footpath" & the orangutans roam free within their territory.Contrary to what you are led to believe, it isn't an island but is joined to the mainland. There are no orangutans on mainland Malaysia now and these ones are eventually returned to Borneo when they are ready to go into the wild. No government funding, all private/volunteer. I encourage you to support them in their efforts, it was one of the best things we did in Penang.
Written 24 May 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.
GeneralShamu
New York City, NY1,174 contributions
Aug 2018 • Solo
I am once again surprised at the mixed reviews on a place that is a true gem. Rented a car to drive from Penang to the Cameron Highlands (and beyond) and specifically awoke at 5am (after being out until 2am + 12-hour jet lag) to get the first ferry out to see the orangutans. The orangutans are indeed behind wire/cages, but if you actually listen to the guided tour you'll realize these are introverted animals that aren't supposed to interact with humans at all. This is a rehabilitation center to help stabilize and eventually grow the population as they are at risk of extinction due to human encroachment. Will make a point to visit their Borneo location on my next trip to Asia in 2019.
Take the southern of the two bridges connecting Penang to the mainland by the way.
Take the southern of the two bridges connecting Penang to the mainland by the way.
Written 7 September 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.
STELLA08Auckland
Auckland Central, New Zealand475 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
I reviewed this earlier in the year & loved it. A couple of months ago there was a programme on NZ television that showed what we can't see when we walk through. A volunteer was interviewed & the people who made the programme did quite a lot of research that showed that contrary to what is shown during your walk around, these animals are kept in extremely poor conditions. When asked why the conditions are so bad, the owner basically said it cost too much to house them properly (they were kept without water overnight because the orangutans "would break the containers"). Make your own mind up because it does seem amazing when you are walking through there, but it has reinforced to me that you can't tell what goes on behind the scenes,and I will not visit a site such as this again
Written 2 October 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.
dselvan
Warrington, UK2,874 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
I initially wasn't sure if I wanted to go here based on some of the negative reviews here on TA but actually glad I did.
It costs 36 Ringgit each if you are non Malaysian.
A short 5 minute boat trip from the laketown resort area takes you to the island surrounded by the beautiful lake.
As mentioned there are around 14 Orangutans of various different ages and apart from one which has been there since an infant who cannot be released, all others come here, get taken care of and then are placed in the wild.
The place is relatively small and you walk in an enclosed walkway, the orangutans are free to roam. This is true up to a point since the Orangutans are indeed free to roam within their large open air enclosure areas but certainly not like a zoo where the roaming area is minimal.
When we went, we were the only people on the island visiting and so had our guide to ourselves and saw various animals feeding- so felt like a personal tour.
The animals are great characters and I hope they do get released back into the wild where the belong and I hope I have contributed a little bit for preserving this endangered species.
There is a shop as well if interested in souvenirs.
It costs 36 Ringgit each if you are non Malaysian.
A short 5 minute boat trip from the laketown resort area takes you to the island surrounded by the beautiful lake.
As mentioned there are around 14 Orangutans of various different ages and apart from one which has been there since an infant who cannot be released, all others come here, get taken care of and then are placed in the wild.
The place is relatively small and you walk in an enclosed walkway, the orangutans are free to roam. This is true up to a point since the Orangutans are indeed free to roam within their large open air enclosure areas but certainly not like a zoo where the roaming area is minimal.
When we went, we were the only people on the island visiting and so had our guide to ourselves and saw various animals feeding- so felt like a personal tour.
The animals are great characters and I hope they do get released back into the wild where the belong and I hope I have contributed a little bit for preserving this endangered species.
There is a shop as well if interested in souvenirs.
Written 21 March 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.
stela888212
London, United Kingdom27 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
Our guide my partner and I visited the site in order to see orangutans in nature on our recent trip to Malaysia. We did not have time to visit Borneo so this would have been the best option to even see them on the mainland Malaysia. Our guide was a bit sceptical having read not so great reviews on this and similar sites, but one has to see it for themselves.
The entrance fee is symbolic to visit Orangutan Sanctuary. There is a short and pleasant boat ride to the island where one is greeted by their representative who is your guide during your visit. The staff was very knowledgeable and shared various background about foundations work, founding (btw no funding received by Malaysian government), caring for orangutans and their behaviours while walking around with you within caged walkaway to reduce human interaction with orangutans.
Overall it was a very pleasant experience. We could not see them doing anything not to assist orangutans and would gladly recommend seeing this place.
Even our guide was impressed (Malaysian national) and said that he will bring his kids to visit next time.
The entrance fee is symbolic to visit Orangutan Sanctuary. There is a short and pleasant boat ride to the island where one is greeted by their representative who is your guide during your visit. The staff was very knowledgeable and shared various background about foundations work, founding (btw no funding received by Malaysian government), caring for orangutans and their behaviours while walking around with you within caged walkaway to reduce human interaction with orangutans.
Overall it was a very pleasant experience. We could not see them doing anything not to assist orangutans and would gladly recommend seeing this place.
Even our guide was impressed (Malaysian national) and said that he will bring his kids to visit next time.
Written 9 April 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.
Lilley_Family
London, UK2 contributions
Dec 2012 • Family
This is the filthiest, smelliest, most run down water park I have ever seen. The changing facilities are reminiscent of a Japanese pow camp and the water is so dirty it smells of sewage. What a shame as the Eco park and orang utan sanctuary were great.
Written 31 December 2012
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.
pinacoladobabe
london435 contributions
Dec 2012 • Solo
I was taken across to the mainland Malaysia to the Bukit Merah Laketown resort - I booked an Eco combo ticket which entitled me to visit the Orang Utan island and then move on to the Eco Park. We had a short trip by ferry over to the island where a charming guide took us around - I was the only English speaking visitor on that trip and she kindly explained everything to me in English. The Orang Utan's are so well cared for we saw about 4 of them then on to the nursery to see the babies - they are lovely . The Orang Utans have a lot of lovely space to roam as we the visitors are in a 'cage' as we wander around. We then proceeded to the Eco park where I saw all sorts of animals birds reptiles deer and fawnsand even a 'pets corner' where there were hamsters rabbits guinea pigs etc which was lovely. I then took a ride in the chair lift and was high in the sky above the water park. All in all it was a lovely day out and would recommend it anyone that visits this part of the world.
Written 23 December 2012
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.
azra h
Surfers Paradise, Australia440 contributions
July 2019 • Couples
It should be a lesson to all of us to see what the disappearance of jungle means to these beautiful creatures. we hired a driver to take us there and lucky we did as it is not as easy to find unless you are a local who can speak the language . once we got to Laketown Resort which was practically deserted as it was out of school and public holidays. the resort is very unkempt and in dire need of spit and polish. from there you take the ferry to the Orang utan Island, where we were met by a guide who told us about the history and need for the place like that if we want to preserve the Orangutang species. oh my god they are so much like humans its scary. we were told a story about each one of them , Adam who cannot be released as he was too humanised from infancy from him they have learned that they are animals and need to be with their own to learn how to survive. Chachi four years old who was brought to the island from Sabbah after his mother was killed when the jungle was cleared for more Palm oil plantations, and was adopted by one of the mothers who already has a two year old , but like some step moms she doesn't show him love and attention like she does to her own. as we were in the enclosure and they were in the jungle environment it was mesmerising to watch them and learn from the professionals how important it is for their survival. the looks, the mannerism and the attention to each other is so much like human species. I could have stayed there longer just to watch their behaviour but, maybe next time. the organisations survives from donations and it is a great way to teach children and adults alike of their importance. great work
Written 24 July 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.
李智优
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia50,831 contributions
May 2019 • Family
It's about 10 minutes boat ride to reach the island. Boat fee is a bit expensive. Orang Utan on the island is much active at morning, as compared to afternoon
Written 26 May 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.
Can we do this without an organized excursion? If I don't want to rent a car, how do I get there from Penang? Is there a guided tour if you don't do it privately?
Written 26 June 2019
We had our own car but am sure you could get as taxi from Ipoh.
Coming from Penang might be easier with a tour group. There are lots of options.Otherwise you could catch a bus to Ipoh and suss it out from there.
Written 27 June 2019
What footwear should be worn?
Written 1 January 2019
siennylovesdrawing
Malaysia
114 contributions
Comfy covered shoe 👟 would be the best as you have to walking 🚶🏻♀️🚶🏻♂️ a cage covered path to view the orang utan 😊☺️
Hope my suggestion is helpful to you
Enjoy your visit to this orang utan island ya 🤗👍🏻😃
Written 4 January 2019
Are we likely to see the orang utan even if it's raining?
Written 21 September 2017
The Orangutan are wild and roam the island freely therefore you may not see one but the guide calls them and whilst we were there they reacted to the calls and came to the fence. I believe you have a very good chance of seeing one
Written 23 September 2017
What is th ebest way to get to Orangutan Island from Penang and what are the costs for the same. We are getting quoted some very high prices like MYR 550/- for the day
Written 1 January 2017
Kyra D
Beaconsfield, Australia
Did you find out what was the best way to go to orangutan island? We are looking at going in December.
Written 16 July 2017
Hi, i am thinking of staying at Centara Grand Karon for 5 days in dec. there will be 2 adult and 2 small toddlers (both below 5yrs). can anybody help:
- do they allow my two childs to stay with us for free? we all should fit in the same bed (so, dont think we require additional bed)
- is there any sofa in the bedroom (standard spa room)
- can kids also rise down the water slide? (is there any age limit to use it)?
- also is the pool where water slide located is really deep? (we cant swim)
- i am concern as a bit far from outside restaurants. is there any decent restaurants outside the hotel nearby (ie walking distance?)
thank you
Written 26 October 2015
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