Rainforest Discovery Center Sepilok: My Honest Review 2025

Last Updated on June 21, 2025 by Oliver

I’m sure you already know about Sepilok in Sandakan and the orangutan sanctuary, I probably don’t need to tell you about that. But what you might not know is that there’s more to do in Sepilok than just visiting the orangutans.

The Rainforest Discovery Center is also located in Sepilok, just outside of Sandakan, and it’s actually a great spot to get a better glimpse into the rainforest with it’s wildlife, nature, and peaceful walking trails.

I visited the Rainforest Discovery Centre recently, and like with so many things in Borneo, I found barely any helpful info online. No real blog posts or detailed reviews. So I thought I’d put together a quick and honest guide to give you a better idea of what this place is like and whether or not it’s worth your time.

Rainforest Discovery Center – My Experience

I had a spare day in Sandakan/Sepilok and wasn’t sure what to do. I debated going to the proboscis monkey sanctuary (ended up skipping it), but I did decide to check out the Rainforest Discovery Center, even though I wasn’t totally convinced it would be worth it.

The rainforest center is right in Sepilok, maybe 10 minutes from the orangutan rehabilitation center. When we arrived, there was basically no one else there. We wandered around for hours and probably saw three other people the entire time, which was honestly amazing. So, turns out, I actually really liked it and think it’s kind of underrated.

What I loved is that you’re not just stuck on boardwalks here. You’re walking on proper trails through the rainforest. And yes, it’s a closed-off protected area, but the wildlife doesn’t care about fences. Orangutans, monkeys, birds, they can move around however they want. We spotted some really cool birds, a few hornbills, and giant squirrels (which are weirdly massive). No monkeys for us that day, but there’s definitely a chance to see some if you get lucky.

Compared to the wildlife sanctuaries where you’re always on raised boardwalks, this place feels more immersive, like you’re actually in the rainforest, not just looking at it.

The highlight for me was the canopy walk. It’s honestly one of the best I’ve done, super high up, beautifully built, and it takes you about 27 meters above the ground into the treetops. The whole thing gave me Jurassic Park vibes.

Rainforest Discovery Center Sandakan Quick Facts

Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily

Entrance Fee (Adult, Foreigner): 30 MYR (7 USD)

Night Walk Hours: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Night Walk Fee: 50 MYR (12 USD)  booking ahead is recommended as spots are limited

Location: Sepilok, about a 10-minute drive from the Orangutan Rehabilitation Center

Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon when it’s cooler and there’s more wildlife activity

What to Bring: Water, insect repellent, binoculars or zoom lens, good walking shoes, and a rain jacket (just in case)

Accessibility: Most paths are well-maintained and clearly marked, but some forest trails are uneven or slightly muddy depending on the season

What Wildlife Can You See?

When we visited, we saw giant squirrels, which honestly freaked me out a bit. They’re not just big squirrels; they’re like small dog-sized squirrels. I didn’t even know that was a thing. We also spotted hornbills, a snake, and loads of other birds.

The Rainforest Discovery Center shares the same stretch of jungle as the orangutan rehabilitation center, so there’s definitely a chance you’ll spot orangutans or macaques if you get lucky.

Some friends of ours did the night walk and actually saw a civet (Asian palm civet), a small, cat-sized mammal that kind of looks like a cross between a raccoon and a badger. Super cool. So yeah, there’s definitely a bunch of wildlife around, especially if you’re patient or do one of the guided walks. It’s really about being in the right place at the right time.

What to Expect (What is it like)

The Rainforest Discovery Center is basically a huge park right in the middle of the rainforest. At the entrance, there’s a small café and a visitor center, and from there, you’ll find loads of different walkways that lead through the jungle. Some of the trails actually go quite deep into the forest, so you could easily spend a whole day here. If you do, make sure to bring plenty of water and some snacks, it gets hot and humid fast.

There’s a small botanical garden with native tropical plants, which I definitely recommend checking out. The canopy walk is for sure the highlight of the park. It gives you an incredible perspective of the rainforest from above and is super fun to walk across. There’s also a trail called the Kingfisher Trail that takes you past little lakes and ponds which looked awesome, but unfortunately, it was closed when we were there.

If I went again, I honestly wouldn’t go with the expectation of spotting loads of wildlife. I’d just go to enjoy the nature and the peaceful vibe. That said, there’s always a chance you’ll get lucky and see something cool.

Do I Need to Book a Tour?

If you’re just visiting during the day, you don’t need to book a tour. You can simply show up, buy your ticket at the entrance, and start wandering around, that’s exactly what we did, and we had a great time. That said, if you want to learn more about the rainforest or have a better chance of spotting wildlife, you can hire a guide on-site. They’ll definitely be better at pointing things out than most of us are.

For the night walk, though, which runs from 6pm to 8pm after the park officially closes, you do need to book a guided tour. You can do that online through their official website. We didn’t end up doing it, but our friends did, and they absolutely loved the experience.

How to Get to the Rainforest Discovery Center

The Rainforest Discovery Center is only about 10 minutes from the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center, so yep, it’s also in Sepilok. That means you can easily grab a ride from your lodge in Sepilok or even walk or, like we did, take a Grab from Sandakan. Our ride from Sandakan to the center cost around $6 USD total, so about $3 each.

One thing to note: getting a Grab back from the Rainforest Discovery Center to Sandakan was weirdly difficult. It took us forever to find a driver, we were honestly about to give up and start walking. Not sure why that happened, because we never had that issue when calling a Grab from the orangutan sanctuary. Just something to keep in mind.

Best Time to Visit the Sandakan Rainforest Discovery Center

The best time to visit, in terms of season, is definitely the dry season, roughly from May to October. That’s when you’ll get the most blue skies and the least amount of rain. Just be aware that June and July are European school holidays, so it can get a bit more crowded with families around that time.

As for the best time of day to go, I’d recommend either early in the morning or in the afternoon. Most monkeys, orangutans, and other wildlife don’t love the midday heat any more than we do, so you’ll have a better chance of seeing them when it’s cooler and they’re more active.

Is the Rainforest Discovery Center in Sepilok Worth Visiting? My Final Thoughts

I’d say yes, it’s absolutely worth visiting. Would I put it above the orangutan rehabilitation center or the sun bear conservation center? Probably not. But if you’ve got a free day or even just a free morning then I’d totally recommend checking it out.

Out of the three main attractions in Sepilok, the Rainforest Discovery Center definitely felt the most like I was actually out exploring the jungle, not knowing what kind of wildlife or plants might show up around the next corner. I had a great time just scanning the treetops for animals, and I think kids would love it here too.

It’s not a “must-do” if you’re tight on time, but if you have a little wiggle room in your schedule, I’m sure you’ll enjoy wandering through it.

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