Bukit Lawang

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Arriving in Sumatra, via Medan, we enjoyed a night in a posh hotel (well, for Indonesia anyway), and were off the next day to Bukit Lawang to see wild Orangutans in one of the National Parks.

After a bus journey that felt like we were driving on the surface of the moon, inside a sauna on wheels, we arrived at the jungle and booked into a pleasant eco-lodge. We had decided to take a trek the following day, and soon hitched ourselves up with a guide; the incorrigible, self-titled 'Jungle Eddy'.

Bukit Lawang, having recently been devastated by a flood (caused by a nearby broken dam), was amidst a process of reinvention. The locals, having recently received government housing for a newly located village, were beginning to set up shops and restaurants again. They were pleased to see us appearing with our tourist cash, to help them rebuild their lives.

Our big day began with a visit to the feeding centre. We only saw one family here, but it was a great taster for what was to come. Having been so disappointed in Malaysia, it was a treat to see this hairy mother and her oh-so-cute baby, at such close quarters. Then it was off into the jungle! Our young guide really pulled it out of the bag, and before long we were watching these enigmatic creatures as they swung through the tree tops and selected young leaves for their lunch.

The day got more and more exciting as we moved through the jungle. Soon enough, we were face-to-face with one orangutan, as it came down from the trees to pose for a photograph (seriously!). Unfortunately, we were not allowed to touch them, as there is a risk of their contracting diseases carried by humans. We looked into the female orangutan's eyes as she looked into ours, and couldn't help wondering what she was thinking, as she regarded us closely.

In three short hours, we managed to see more than we could ever have hoped. At times it felt like Orangutans were all around us in the trees. It was a truly memorable morning. Out of the hundreds of photographs we took, here are just a few. We hope you enjoy them.

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Comments

[Natalia]

Very interested
Ok

[june & graham]

So jealous
What a fantastic day! We would have loved to have seen the orangutans at such close quarters - you are so lucky!

[anonymous]

Hay guys - Emma, April and I want to see the Orangutangs and want to book it soon for our summer break - so any info you have can you e-mail me (where to go and where to stay??) Love you both!!!!!! stay safe! The Easter Bunny visited me today. Yumm!

[Michael Henry]

Jungle Eddie
Greetings! I'm loving your travel blog. My fiance and I were in Indonesia last year and spent some time in Lake Toba and Bukit Lawang as well. My fiance was volunteering with an Orangutan research group while there, and since jungle Eddie was dating a member (they've since married) we spent a lot of time with him. Anyways, just wanted to pipe in and let you know that your blog is making me dream of our trip that we have scheduled next year! Please keep it up!

[Alex]

Real-life Orange Utans!! Do you have any idea how lucky you are, or how jealous I am??? Incredible.