Borneo Mount Kinabalu Climb Vacation

Planet

This tour visits Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre. Founded in 1964, Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre was established to rehabilitate orphaned and often injured orangutans and rehabilitate them back into the wild. Located on the edge of Kabili Sepilok Forest Reserve, the facility provides medical care for orangutans and other wildlife species including gibbons, Sumatran rhinos and the occasional injured elephant. The Centre works like a halfway house for the orangutans: it provides a semi-wild haven in the protected reserve outside the confines of the Centre but twice a day meals are provided for those animals who feel the need for it. Entrance to the Centre for these feedings is chargeable and all funds go back to the Centre to help fund the important work they are doing here. The Centre is also an important education tool for visitors to learn about the orangutans and the Centre’s work and help promote it to possible future visitors.

The Resort is home to the Marine Ecology Research Centre (MERC) which is staffed by a team of marine biologists and runs a programme focused on the rehabilitation and restoration of different forms of marine life. A key project is the propagation of giant clams which are on the point of extinction due to irresponsible fishing practices and over-harvesting. MERC is attempting to grow giant clams to re-populate the surrounding seas with a good success rate. MERC also runs a coral planting programme whereby guests are encouraged to plant a broken piece of coral collected from the seabed which will then be planted into a plaster base and transplanted to the seabed to help try and develop the coral reefs. There is even the chance to sponsor your piece of coral and receive regular updates!
MERC uses Biorock® patented technology uses a small amount of electrical current that charges a metal structure. Coral fragments that have been stabilized at the Marine Ecology Research Centre are attached to it. The electrical structure assists the coral to grow at a faster rate than normal to rebuild the coral colony vital for a large population of marine life.
MERC houses an extremely interesting educational display of giant clams and other marine life as well as a touch tank to allow guests to get up close to these ocean inhabitants and learn a little about these creatures. The center also realises the importance of educating local fishermen on the long-term value of marine life to avoid damage to ocean communities.

People

Our local Borneo ground agents employ only local guides and drivers thereby keeping all moneys paid to staff in the local community. Where possible, food served to guests at the lodges is sourced locally thereby providing a further income to local residents. The lunch stop on the Kinabatangan River is at nearby Abai Jungle Lodge which sources a lot of their fresh food from Abai Village located on the opposite riverbank.

In conjunction with Orangutan Appeal UK, for every booking to Borneo we adopt our chosen Sepilok orangutan, Gelison, in your names for a year. Orangutan Appeal UK works to support the orangutans of Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre which provides 24hr essential care for orphaned and injured orangutans with the aim to rehabilitate them into the wilds of the adjacent Kabili Sepilok Forest Reserve and beyond. Funds from the adoption costs go towards funding the Centre’s work providing food, medical care and a safe refuge for the orangutans as well as being an important educational tool for visitors.