The amazing Orangutan in Sumatra: jungle trekking tour
Seeing wild a orangutan in Sumatra is something that most people only dream of. But in Sumatra Indonesia, all your orangutan dreams can come true. I didn’t know what to expect from my first trip into the jungle with orangutans in Bukit Lawang near Lake Toba, and it was better than I could have imagined. Within the first 35 minutes, we’d spotted an orangutan in the jungle.
We saw a fully wild orangutan in Sumatra and a semi wild orangutan in Sumatra, and there’s a chance of seeing both types; we actually saw around 15-20 in total!
Here’s a full travel guide on what to expect, but rest assured it will be the most amazing experience of your life. You also have plenty of choices of how many days jungle trek you want to do – you can do a one day jungle trek, 2, 3 or even a 10 day trek.
If you don’t want to sleep over in the jungle, you don’t have to! Opt for a 1 day trekking tour.
Have a look at my other Bali & Indonesia travel guides:
Banjar Mancingan Rice trekking
Jungle trekking with Sumatra Orangutans
Jungle trekking with orangutans in Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra
Jungle trekking was incredible, and of course, incredibly rewarding. Seeing a orangutan in Sumatra is honestly… a bucket list activity.
Bukit Lawang is a small village on the outskirts of Gunung Leuser National Park. There’s not huge amounts of shops or resources here, so make sure you come prepared with everything you need, and it’s best to have a bit of cash too.
Your first night will very likely be in one of the jungle trekking home stays or guest houses before you see the incredible orangutan in Sumatra. They are of excellent quality, and although some can be basic, they are very comfortable and actually feel like a little slice of heaven.
In our Guest House, Gino’s place, we had our very own ‘home’ / ‘hut’, and it was great.
It was booked through our tour with Bukit Lawang Adventures. And if you’re lucky, you’ll see the orangutan pongo species here!
We decided to go to Sumatra instead of seeing the Bornean orangutan because of the very long and difficult connections from the airport to the jungle tours and the cost was higher in Borneo. Have a look at tours in North Sumatra below.
Everything you need to know about a 3 day jungle tour
We did a 3 day jungle tour, including one night in the jungle and 2 nights in the guest house on the outskirts of Bukit Lawang. Given that we saw orangutans in the first 30 minutes, this meant there was plenty of time spent watching orangutans.
Day 1 in the jungle: seeing an Orangutan in Sumatra
On your first day in the jungle you’ll spend the day hiking around, learning about ethical tourism, and of course, spotting an orangutan in Sumatra. You’ll spend most f the day trying to spot baby and mama orangutans, and the adult males!
It’s very rare to see the big male orangutans, but we were lucky enough to see one of the big male orangutans! The ultimate orangutan in Sumatra! You’ll stop for some excellent food in the jungle and my favourite thing was snack time; an array of fresh, exotic fruit. We suddenly got a call after snack time.
The male Sumatran orangutans are the ones with the large, flat face, pictured below. Apparently you only get to see them very occasionally, perhaps once or twice a month if you’re lucky. And we were! The Sumatran orangutan (full name of the primate species is Pongo abelii) is one of three species of orangutans.
There’s also the tapanuli orangutan species. They are both actually critically endangered as classified by the world wildlife fund, and found only in the north of Sumatra in Indonesia. You’ll learn interesting facts, like the orangutan in Sumatra has a lifespan generally between 44-53 years. You will also hike up some steep slopes and down some steep ravines too, which doesn’t have even footing. This is definitely not access friendly. I’d also have to say that you need to be fairly able and have moderate fitness to complete this.
I am not super fit, but I am a fairly experienced hiker and love clambering over rocks and I found it challenging but definitely doable. You’ll need a bit of confidence, fitness and endurance. It’s worth it to see the famous orangutan in Sumatra!
Lunch
You’ll also stop for a jungle lunch, which is delicious! Our guide Jak cut it up freshly for us.
Dinner in the jungle & the jungle camp
The jungle camp is located right by the river, and there are cool spots to swim in after a very long, hot day of hiking. It’s unlikely to see the orangutan in Sumatra here but it’s a good respite!
It’s extremely refreshing, so take a swimsuit! The dinner is fairly surprisingly impressive, with 7-8 dishes being prepared for us. We had rendang and plenty of vegetarian and vegan options too as it was mostly tofu and stir fry. If you’re after a vegan option, be sure to let your tour know in advance.
This being said, I did get a bit of tummy upset in the jungle; whether this was down to the food, or down to some of the water we drank, I’m not sure, but the other people in our camp didn’t get sick. However other people on other tours up and down the river also got sick (they didn’t eat the same food as us) so it’s just something to be aware of. That’s why I recommend you take charcoal tablets and rehydration salts just in case.
Sleeping in the jungle
Sleeping in the jungle is also a fun experience, but definitely not for the faint hearted and not if you’re after a bit of luxury. Generally speaking, the ‘mattresses’ are like camp mattresses and fairly thin, so it does feel like you’re sleeping on hard floor.
All this being said, I didn’t really notice this; you’re on such a high of seeing orangutans, who cares about the mattress you’re sleeping on? It comes with a mosquito net, which you’ll be able to tuck under your mattress and duvet meaning you have a cosy mosquito free evening.
Day 2 in the Jungle – hiking and rafting
Start day 2 with a jungle breakfast and then get ready to leave the jungle camp for another day of adventure activities. Head up the ravine and hike up for about 45 minutes to the top of the hill and once there, eat some fruit. Then spot some more orangutans – if you’re lucky, some females and babies – and then head on with your journey.
We spotted 4-5 more orangutans around this area. Walk along the top ridge of the mountain and admire the view, conduct a bit of bird watching and then head downwards towards some river rafting.
River rafting in the jungle is something quite exceptional. All your belongings get placed into a waterproof bag and hop onto the makeshift raft as the tour guide and camp chef take you down the river on a raft. Spot lots of different monkeys and jungle animals, conduct in a spot of bird watching and enjoy seeing the town of Bukit Lawang float past! It is a lot of fun!
If you decide to stay on for a 3 day jungle trek, you get the option of entering into some caves to see some unusual bats, creepy crawlies and various bugs. As I’ve had a lifetime of spotting bugs in Australia, I decided to skip this.
On day 3, you return to your homestay back in Bukit Lawang.
How fit do I need to be to go jungle trekking in Bukit Lawang?
I would say you can do jungle trek with a low fitness level, but you need to be confident at claberring up some fairly steep ravines and mountains. Have you ever gone on hikes with uneven footing and roots and rocks? Then you will be fine.
Your tour guide can take it fairly slowly – whenever he saw us getting out of breath, he would stop and we would chat for 5-10 minutes and then continue on with our journey.
Most of the day does not involve difficult hiking; it was on leisurely paths in the jungle. as we spotted orangutans, but at the end of the first day and beginning of the second day, you’ll need to climb up and down some steeper ravines which might take you a while.
Where can I see orangutans in Sumatra?
Sumatran orangutans live in the jungle, and you can take tours to see them in the following places. We went to Bukit Lwang and had a great experience:
- Bukit Lawang, Gunung Leuser National Park
- Bukit Tigapuluh National Park
- Ketambe Sumatra
These primates are definitely a bucket list experience!
How many days do I need jungle trekking to see orangutans?
1-3 days!
This completely depends on how much you like hiking in the jungle.
We saw orangutans within 30 minutes of entering the jungle, so you can do a one day tour if you want, or you can do a 2, 3 or 10 day tour. It is completely down to you how far you want to delve into the depths of the jungle.
Sumatra Orangutan facts
Wild orangutans and semi wild orangutans
Semi wild orangutans are ones which were once captured (perhaps by traders, poachers, or people that just wanted orangutans as pets), and had to be re-released into the wild. There was a rehabilitation centre back in the 70s which programmed these animals back into the wild. This means they have had contact with humans before.
Wild Sumatran orangutans are ones which have been born in the wild and have had very little contact with humans. Other, than, of course, the occasional sightings they might see of humans on the ground.
Apparently some of the semi wild orangutans live close to the outer edges of the jungle although it can be difficult to tell if the orangutans you’re spotting are wild ones or semi wild.
Sumatra Orangutans Diet
Sumatran orangutans have a fairly varied diet and can eat a lot of different things. They like fruit, leaves, insects and bugs, flowers and tree bark too.
Occasionally, they might eat small animals or bird eggs, making them omnivores. This will all depend on the season and what’s around them.
Is it ethical to see orangutans jungle trekking in Bukit Lawang?
Yes, I’d say so. There are always exceptions, but tourism actually brings some level of security to the endangered habitat which is their jungle home. Without tourists, the jungle gets cut down for farm land!
The conservations efforts in Bukit Lawang have come a long way – and in fact, the orangutan population has actually increased in recent years!
Why are Sumatran orangutans endangered?
As we have all heard, palm tree farms are destroying the natural habitat of the jungle forest where the orangutans live. Palm oil farms are a danger.
This is because the jungle is filled with trees that the orangutans live in is not always profitable for locals. The locals lived a difficult existence, without much income, they needed land for farming.
Traditionally, they used to be able collect rubber from rubber trees, but their earnings are very little. The endangered orangutan in Sumatra can live off the fruits grown in rubber trees, but unfortunately the earnings from rubber trees is extremely little; locals earned 70p per kilo of rubber collected which is not a sustainable income, and there is a significant amount of time involved collecting that rubber.
This is why palm tree farms, and palm oil is planted in place of the jungle habitat.
Locals cut down the rubber trees and made way for palm tree farms, which have much higher yields meaning they can earn more money. This of course, affects the local orangutan in Sumatra and their habitat.
So how does tourism help save the orangutans?
Locals are now able to earn a living through tourism; whether this is from local cafes, home stays, local hotels or becoming tour guides.
The tour guides are locals from the village who have learnt on a programme from 1-4 years about ethical tourism, trekking, orangutans and of course, speaking in different languages. Make sure you tip your guides!
Ethical Sumatra Orangutan trekking
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There are some additional things that your tour guide will tell you about ethical jungle trekking. I was pleasantly surprised to see the strict rules they had around ethical jungle etiquette. Our guide made sure that we knew all the rules before entering the jungle and spent time educating us. I also noticed he collected any rubbish off the floor if a tourist ever left some (do not do this!) and he would challenge any tour guides or tourists doing anything unethical/being too loud.
Some of the rules included:
- no littering
- no feeding the orangutans
- no making loud noises
- no calling to the orangutans
- not getting too close to the orangutans
- staying at least 7-10 meters away from an orangutan at all times
How to get to Bukit Lawang
The best thing to do is to fly into Medan city in Sumatra, Kualanamu International Airport.
The best thing to do would be to organise your tour operator to collect you from the airport, hotel, or organise yourself a transfer from Medan to Bukit Lawang.
The journey from Medan to Bukit Lawang can take anywhere between 2.5 hours and 5 hours. This is entirely dependant on traffic and how bad the roads are. The oil palm plantations are visible along your journey!
Best tours in Bukit Lawang
We had a tour with Bukit Lawang Adventures and our tour guide Jak was incredible. There are plenty of tours available for you to choose from, have a look at tours here. Get your guide does a one day jungle trekking tour, alternatively, compare lots of jungle trekking tours below:
What do I need to take into the jungle?
Leave your suitcases or larger backpacks at your homestay before you go into the jungle. You’ll only be taking what you need in a smaller rucksack for the duration of your trip. Here’s everything you need to take into the jungle with you:
- Leggings that reach your ankles, and long socks – to stop the leeches attaching to your legs
- A hat
- A swimsuit, if you want to swim in the river
- A camera
- A portable charger – there’s no electricity in the jungle
- Mosquito spray
- Trainers or hiking boots
- Sun cream
- A roll of toilet paper. Unless you want to use banana leaves.
- Water, for your first day of hiking
- A raincoat or poncho
- A small medical kit with pain killers, in case you need it
- Rehydration salts & charcoal tablets in case you get a tummy upset
- A change of clothes
Bukit Lawang weather year round
Pick and choose carefully when you want to go. June-September is the best time to go because it has the least number of rainy days, meaning trekking is likely to be more comfortable during this time. But going outside of these months in ‘low season’ means you might have cheaper prices for hotels and flights, as well as less tourists.
Weather in Sumatra in January
- Average Temperature: 26°C (79°F)
- Rainy Days: 19
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunset Time: Around 6:30 PM
Weather in Sumatra in February
- Average Temperature: 27°C (81°F)
- Rainy Days: 14
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM
Weather in Sumatra in March
- Average Temperature: 28°C (82°F)
- Rainy Days: 14
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM
Weather in Sumatra in April
- Average Temperature: 28°C (82°F)
- Rainy Days: 12
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM
Weather in Sumatra in May
- Average Temperature: 28°C (82°F)
- Rainy Days: 10
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM
Weather in Sumatra in June
- Average Temperature: 28°C (82°F)
- Rainy Days: 6
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM
Weather in Sumatra in July
- Average Temperature: 28°C (82°F)
- Rainy Days: 4
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM
Weather in Sumatra in August
- Average Temperature: 28°C (82°F)
- Rainy Days: 3
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunset Time: Around 6:45 PM
Weather in Sumatra in September
- Average Temperature: 28°C (82°F)
- Rainy Days: 5
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunset Time: Around 6:30 PM
Weather in Sumatra in October
- Average Temperature: 28°C (82°F)
- Rainy Days: 10
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunset Time: Around 6:15 PM
Weather in Sumatra in November
- Average Temperature: 27°C (81°F)
- Rainy Days: 15
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunset Time: Around 6:15 PM
Weather in Sumatra in December
- Average Temperature: 26°C (79°F)
- Rainy Days: 18
- Daylight Hours: Approximately 12 hours
- Sunset Time: Around 6:15 PM
Quick links
| Here’s everything I use when I travel abroad: Tours – Compare tour prices on Viator and Get Your Guide Hotels – I always use Booking as the more hotels I book, I get a higher Genius discount. I also compare prices on Expedia. E-Sims – purchase an e-sim with Airalo on your phone so you can make calls and have mobile data abroad! There’s no need to remove your current sim card! Travel insurance – don’t ever go on vacation without travel insurance, you never know when you might need it! Travel essentials – have a look at a full list of travel essentials that I use, including the best power bank! |
Have a look at my other Bali & Indonesia travel guides:
Banjar Mancingan Rice trekking
Jungle trekking with Sumatra Orangutans
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