Matang Wildlife Centre — Attraction in Sarawak

An essential visit if you're in the Kuching area. It's the only wildlife sanctuary in Malaysian Borneo that opens its doors to all endangered species, so you have the rare opportunity to see native endangered animals that are very difficult to see in the wild, from orangutans, sun bears, clouded leapords, gibbons, langurs and monkeys, to hornbills, crocodiles, turtles, pythons, porcupines and slow lorrises. The staff and volunteers treat the animals with utmost respect and care. Do not be put off if you see animals in cages; unfortately the centre is under-resourced and cages are necessary to house the huge number of rescued animals recieved by the centre due to commonplace mistreatment of animals in trade and illegal captivity. The cages may be of concern to visitors used to standards of western zoos; however the animals are very happy, well fed and well looked after by staff and western volunteers. The park is a constant with in progress, with staff and volunteers building new enclosures to give animals more space and enrichment. The centre is a 45 minute drive from Kuching, much more accessible than other wildlife centres around Borneo. I couldn't recommend it more, to see gorgeous animals and to learn about wildlife. Tip: if you pass by a western volunteer, initiate a chat & ask them about why they're here and what...

First thing to do before you come to Matang: arrange a ride back, as taxis can get you there but won't come to fetch you because it's a remote area. The staff might help you get a ride but at three times the price (RM 100-150). If you can't get a taxi from there you can expect to get one from Kampung Sri Kandong which is some 4km away. Also there is no food sold at Matang Wildlife Centre but a short walk away are a little shop run by a grandmother who offers bananas and a kopitiam that is open most of the time. They were the nicest people we met in Matang! And the doors of the park close at midnight so you can spend the evening outside. Matang Wildlife Centre is like visiting people at the hospital, it's not the most charming place but the animals are taken care of properly. In general Matang Wildlife Centre is not very well maintained, like after building this great visitor centre Sarawak Forestry decided not to invest further to welcome the public. The bridges on the path to the waterfall are rotting and can be dangerous (we couldn't reach the waterfall because of that), the bungalows are not cleaned well enough... but in spite of this it's a nice place to visit, far from the crowds of the most famous parks. Just don't expect...

Visited Matang Wildlife today. About 40 minute drive from Kuching city. Arrived just before 1pm. 20RM entry, I'm not local. I had to register at gate. I went to main hall. No one at reception area, but guy was sleeping behind partition, heard him snoring. Signs say enter at your own risk. Another sign showed photos of person who was attacked by Orangutan. Guy at gate had said watch out for Orangutans. Slightly worried I walked on. Walked path around Complex. Wooden walkways with hand railings. Slippery in parts. Saw no staff anywhere. They could have been at lunch, as Google says place is closed from 12 till 2. Maybe update required. Areas where animals and birds kept look a bit worse for wear. Hornbills were interesting looking birds. Sun Bears, monkeys, crocodiles and Orangutans in their seperate areas. They looked a bit lethargic. Walked around at average pace and it took 40 minutes. Walked to see Long house near cafeteria but didn't look like it was open.

Signs say don't hassle the animals , where in fact it could be the opposite. Fact, Orangutans are 4 times stronger than humans, but the wild ones mostly live...