Looking back at our day there yesterday, I have to recommend it as a definite must for anyone traveling to Borneo, Malaysia.
The Proboscis monkey is only found in Borneo. We did see them on our trip last year to Tanjan Puting In Borneo on the Indonesian side, but they normally hang out high in one certain tree, along the river, the leaves of which comprise much of their diet. They also are camera shy and hide when boats come by. The Sanctuary is the only place to be able to see close-up these amazing looking primates.
The Sanctuary is out in the middle of nowhere ... About half hour drive from Sepilok.
There is an entrance fee (60RM?) and camera fee (10RM).
It must be noted that every where you go you must remove your shoes before entering any restaurant, or platform.
The sanctuary has 2 feeding areas, platform B and platform A. Within each platform there are 4-5 feeding platforms.
As I mentioned in a previous post the Sanctuary was built by a Chinese landowner named Lee. All the rest of his land is Palm Oil Plantation.
The morning feeding (11:30am) is at platform B. Then we went to lunch at a resort restaurant (all restaurants that I mention are actually open air wood structures). After lunch there was a very cute/funny/informative hr long video on the area and Proboscis.
Then they drove us to platform A for the 2:30pm feeding. This is where we met Jonothan Proboscis. He seems to be the official friendly greeter of platform A. In each area there is always one dominant male and his harem of females. It is a long way between Platforms so getting a ride between is necessary. After the feeding, we jumped back in the truck and motored back to platform B for the 4:30pm feeding.
Most people only see one feeding and then leave but in my opinion it's worth spending the whole day as we did. Just watching the antics of the Silver Leaf monkeys and the Proboscis. The Silver Leaf always hang around on the railing Where visitors view the platforms. There are quite a few platforms scattered around the viewing platform that is a wood open air area - quite large. At platform B you can also see hornbills, eagle and an otter that was adopted. Once we saw the otter come up onto our platform and scream for food at one of the staff. Platform A is more isolated and washrooms at the platform were broken. There is a toilet at the parking lot but it's a ways walk to the platform. Platform A has an elongated area that is not under cover but the first part is covered. Platform B has nice washrooms and a small gift/Tshirt shop.
At platform B there are steps leading down to a kitchen where they prepare the pancakes for the Proboscis. They give long beans to the Silver Leaf.
You often can watch both the species go down the stairs into the kitchen and come back up with some food.
Of the Proboscis, it is only the dominant male who comes onto the people platform. Sometimes he runs through, pounding as he goes, and it is quite chilling. His name is 6Fingers.
We were very lucky to have a full day there with no rain! Also bought a couple of Tshirts.
Took about a zillion photos but many did not come out well ... No matter, it was the best experience of the trip.
