Jungle trek, jungle trek in Bukit Lawang. See the monkeys, see the birds, see orangutans, Hey!
-The little jingle that is sung every night at Nora's Homestay in Bukit Lawang,
Sumatra where I traveled to see one one of the two remaining groups of Orangutans left in the world. Let me say, the flight and the two bus rides left over from my nightmares about Ghanian bus journeys was well worth the trip.
Sumatra where I traveled to see one one of the two remaining groups of Orangutans left in the world. Let me say, the flight and the two bus rides left over from my nightmares about Ghanian bus journeys was well worth the trip.
Bukit Lawang is set along side a beautiful river. The town is mainly accessible by foot however, the brave Indonesians drive the small paths, and even the steps, on their battered motorbikes. On one side of the river is the town and the opposite side sits what remains of Sumatra's protected jungle and Orangutan population. I decided to do a one day jungle trek to see these amazing apes and their habitat. The trek was ore than exciting. We clambered over slippery rocks and down muddy ravines, using robes like Tarzan to guide ourselves safely down. I only slipped once leaving me with a spot of shame on my booty! While playing native wild animal tracker for the day my group and I spotted at least 10 Orangutans including a few babies and those who had just left there mothers. We ended our day with a rafting trip down the river and right back to Nora's Homestay.
I cannot say the guides follow all the rules on leaving the orangutans alone and allowing them to remain wild. Many feed them fruit directly from their hands. This can give them human diseases and potentially kill the remaining population. The guides have been told by the wildlife organizations based in the area not to but, more orangutans means more tips. I was really fortunate to have a guide who told us all about this. When we saw huge groups of tourists crowding an orangutan he told us to keep our distance as they do bite often due to sudden fear from a camera flash or becoming overwhelmed. Our small group with the great guide spotted many orangutans and other monkeys like gibbons and even wild peacocks without another tour group around. Ethical issues aside, it was a fantastic day!
Fun Facts:
Orangutan means person of the forest in Bahasa- the main language of Indonesia
Orangutans only live in Sumatra and Borneo
Large males can weigh around 100 KG
They eat mostly fruit and all fruit they consume are safe for humans to eat
Babies stay with the mother for 5-6 years and a female orangutan will have up to 3 babies in her lifetime
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