Proboscis Monkeys and Orangutans: A Wild Stopover Adventure!

Proboscis Monkeys and Orangutans: A Wild Stopover Adventure!

| From pandas in Chengdu to kera belanda in Brunei—your Umrah journey just got wilder!

Assalamualaikum and hello, fellow travelers! 🌏

Who says an Umrah trip has to be all flights and layovers? With the right airline, your journey to Jeddah can include a chance to meet some of the world’s most fascinating (and slightly comical) creatures—pandas, proboscis monkeys, and orangutans.

If you fly via Sichuan Airlines, you could greet the adorable pandas of Chengdu. Or, if you choose Royal Brunei Airlines, you might find yourself on a river cruise through Brunei’s mangroves, snapping selfies with kera belanda—those quirky, big-nosed proboscis monkeys.

And if your adventure extends to Borneo, prepare to meet the wise and gentle orangutans of Sabah and Sarawak, watching them swing gracefully through the forest canopy.

Because why not add a little wildlife wonder to your spiritual journey?

The Perfect Primate Stopover

In my earlier blog,  "Tangan Emas, Hati Tulus & Umrah DIY – Kisah Dari Brunei ke Haramain ",  I shared a suggested journey inspired by my past Umrah trip with a travel agent, now reimagined with a fantastic stopover.

A stopover in Brunei (via Royal Brunei Airlines to Dubai, then onward to Jeddah) is the perfect chance to break up your long flight and meet the ‘kera bekantan’ (Proboscis Monkey), fondly known locally as ‘kera belanda’ (Dutch monkey).

How? By joining the Klook Travel "Proboscis Monkey Encounter Tour in Brunei ". This half-day adventure includes:

• A boat cruise through beautiful mangrove forests to search for wild Proboscis Monkeys.
• The chance to spot other nocturnal wildlife along the Brunei River.
• Learning about the vital mangrove ecosystem from a knowledgeable guide.
• Hassle-free hotel pick-up and drop-off.

Why Borneo?

If you’re up for a real nature adventure, choose the island of Borneo—home to both Proboscis Monkeys and Orangutans—spread across Brunei, Sabah, and Sarawak (Malaysia).

The Stars of the Show

Let me introduce you to the stars of the show.

• The Orangutan: The Wise, Red-Haired Genius

  

• Orangutans are like the philosophers of the jungle—gentle, contemplative, and brilliant. Their name literally means person of the forest in Malay and Indonesian, and when you look into their eyes, it feels like they’re looking into your soul (and probably judging your banana-peeling skills).

  Sadly, they are critically endangered due to deforestation, which makes a visit to their sanctuaries even more meaningful.

• The Proboscis Monkey: The Superstar with a Supersized Nose

  

  If the orangutan is the wise genius, the proboscis monkey is the hilarious, loud uncle at a family gathering. They are impossible to ignore! The males sport a magnificent, pendulous nose that scientists believe amplifies their calls. I think they're just showing off.

  Don't forget their other defining feature: the permanent "beer belly." This is actually a specialized stomach for digesting mangrove leaves! They are also exceptional swimmers, often leaping from trees with a comic belly flop. They are endemic to Borneo, meaning you won't find them anywhere else on Earth.

Where Can You Find Them?

🦧 For the Orangutans:

1. Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Sabah  
   This centre is a rehabilitation school for orphaned orangutans, teaching them how to be wild again. The feeding time is a highlight, where you watch them swing from the jungle for a snack. The centre also has an amazing Sun Bear Conservation facility next door and stroll the Rainforest Discovery Centre’s canopy walkway.

   Tour Tip: A Klook package for Sepilok that includes the orangutans , sun bears, and a rainforest canopy walkway is super convenient.

2. Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, Sarawak  
   Semenggoh provides a semi-wild home for orangutans. The experience is more intimate, as the apes are free to roam and only come for food if they choose to, making a sighting feel like a special gift.

   Tour Tip: The Semenggoh Half-Day Trip from Kuching is a smooth and easy way to visit.

🐒 For the Proboscis Monkeys:

1. Bako National Park, Sarawak
   Bako is Sarawak's oldest national park. While it has great trekking, the main event is the boat cruise through mangroves to see troops of proboscis monkeys lounging in the trees.

   Tour Tip: For the full experience, consider a 2D1N Bako National Park Tour with Night Safari . Staying overnight lets you see the forest come alive after dark!

2. Mangrove River Cruise – Brunei
   Don’t overlook tiny Brunei! It's covered in pristine rainforest and mangroves. A river cruise here is a serene and crowd-free way to spot proboscis monkeys.

   Tour Tip: The Proboscis Monkey Encounter Tour in Brunei is a brilliant half-day activity.

Why Add This to Your Trip?

• It’s a perfect way to appreciate the majesty of Allah's creation before your sacred journey.
• You directly support vital conservation efforts in Borneo.
• And let’s be honest… who doesn’t want a selfie with a monkey that looks like it’s judging your life choices? 🐒

Final Tips

• Travel light – “Pack what you need, not what will weigh you down.”
• Wear comfortable, modest clothing suitable for humid trekking.
• Book tours early via trusted platforms like Klook .
• In Brunei or Sarawak and Sabah, apps like DART or Grab respectively, make getting around easy.

Have an amazing journey, filled with both spiritual peace and wild wonder!