Trek from the riverside village of Bukit Lawang into Gunung Leuser National Park, in northern Sumatra, with a licensed guide and look up for the red coat of a Sumatran orangutan moving through the canopy. Close to the village the animals are semi-wild, descendants of a former rehabilitation centre, and deeper in the forest they are fully wild. Treks run from a few hours to several days with a night in a jungle camp, and the drier months from June to August are the most comfortable.
Up to 92% sighting chance in Bukit Lawang, Gunung Leuser National Park, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Best months: June, July, August.
Yes. Entry to the national park is with a licensed guide, and the park permit is usually included in the trek price.
A day trek often finds the semi-wild orangutans near the village. Two days or more, with a night in a jungle camp, reach quieter forest and wilder animals.
By road from Medan, in about four hours.
Keep about 10 metres away, never feed them and do not trek if you are ill, since they can catch human diseases.
Thomas's leaf monkeys, found only in northern Sumatra, along with gibbons, macaques and hornbills.
