The Red Ape Trail 5D4N

Itinerary

Day 1 Kuching – Batang Ai – Nanga Sumpa (L/D)

The Red Ape Trail is a rewarding 5-day, 4 night trip to Batang Ai that includes daily treks to search for orangutan deep in the heart of the Sarawak rainforest. The treks take place in the upper reaches of the Delok River in forested hills on the fringes of the Batang Ai National Park. You will go on early morning and late afternoon treks to look for orangutans and their nests. Wildlife surveys conducted at Batang Ai in 2013 found that a significant population of up to 200 orangutan lives outside the established protected areas. The Red Ape Trail focuses on these areas of forest, trekking on long established trails used and maintained by the local Iban population.

0800 hours pick up from hotel in Kuching and drive to Batang Ai reservoir. Along the way stop at Lachau Bazaar. Stroll around the shops and the small native market and have an early lunch in a local coffee shop. Then continue your journey, arriving at Batang Ai Lake around 1330-1400 hours.  Board a longboat and travel upriver to Nanga Sumpa, arriving at approx. 1530 hours, although the exact time will depend on river conditions. Settle in at Borneo Adventure’s lodge and have dinner. After dinner visit Nanga Sumpa longhouse. Relax on the ruai (common verandah) and spend time with the Iban people. Interact with the community; learn about their culture and enjoy some local rice wine. Overnight at Nanga Sumpa lodge.

Day 2 Nanga Sumpa  – Orangutan Treks (B/L/D)

0600 hours wake up and have a cup of coffee before departing Nanga Sumpa around 0630 hours. You will follow one of the many trails behind Nanga Sumpa. The exact trail selected will be based on recent sightings of orangutans or nests and discussions with you and your guide. You will trek for approx. 2-3 hours through orangutan habitat before arriving back at Nanga Sumpa around 0900-0930 hours. Then have a late breakfast in the lodge. Around 1100 hours go for a short trek (approx. 1 hour) to look for orangutans or alternatively spend in and around Nanga Sumpa longhouse, visit a nearby farm or rest. You can discuss your preference with your guide. Have lunch at the lodge around 1230-1300 hours. After lunch you are free at leisure to relax or have a swim in the river.  Around 1600 hours depart on a jungle walk near Nanga Sumpa, again searching for orangutan and nests along the way. Dinner and overnight stay at Nanga Sumpa lodge.

Day 3 Nanga Sumpa – Sepulau – Lubok Kasai (B/L/D)

After breakfast depart Nanga Sumpa at 0730-0800 hours for a trek along the rainforest trails around Sepulau.  Look out for orangutans and other wildlife like pig-tailed macaques, hornbills and a variety of birds. While orangutans are only occasionally spotted, their nests are often seen along the trails.  Return to Nanga Sumpa around 1200 hours. Have lunch at Nanga Sumpa lodge. Then travel upriver by longboat. Our destination is the scenic Enseluai waterfall. Arrive at the waterfall and have time to relax, swim and enjoy the rainforest surroundings. Then backtrack along the Delok River by boat before entering the Lalang River. Proceed by boat to Lubok Kasai Jungle Camp. Settle in at Lubok Kasai. Relax, have a swim in the river or just enjoy the rainforest surroundings.  Orangutans are occasionally seen (at dusk or at dawn) in this area.  After dinner spend a quiet evening at the lodge and enjoy the tranquility of the forest. Alternatively go on a short night walk near the lodge (weather permitting). Overnight at Lubok Kasai jungle camp.

Day 4 Lubok Kasai (B/L/D)

After breakfast, start trekking again in search of orangutan. The exact day’s activities can be discussed with your guide. The choice of trails and trekking routes will be influenced by any sightings of nests or orangutans you had the previous day. Return to Lubok Kasai for lunch.  Afternoon is free at your own leisure. Around 1600 hours depart Lubok Kasai and walk along nearby forest trails in search of orangutans. Return to the lodge before dark. Dinner and overnight at Lubok Kasai Camp.

Day 5 Lubok Kasai – Kuching (B/L)

Breakfast in the camp. 0830 hours travel downriver to the Batang Ai Lake jetty, arriving around 1030-1100 hours. Then travel overland back to Kuching with lunch enroute. Arrive in Kuching approx. 1630 hours and be dropped off at your hotel.

For some background information on orangutan treks at Batang Ai and how this experience differs from watching wild orangutans at other locations in Borneo, see our article on the 5 Best Places to See Orangutans in Borneo. Batang Ai is featured at the end of the article.