Traipsing through the Treetops
As lovely as a stay in one of Hilton Kuching’s exceedingly comfortable Suites or Executive Rooms (from RM654 per night) might be, the hotel itself would agree that it’s well worth stepping into Sarawak’s great outdoors. From the floor-to-ceiling windows of Hilton Kuching, you’ll see the picturesque cityscape and the broad, gentle curves of the Sarawak River, which will no doubt play a part in tempting you outside.
Just a little further out of Kuching – 20km south of the city, to be exact – is the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, which has served as a sanctuary for orangutans since 1975. Initially established as an orangutan rehabilitation centre for those that were injured, orphaned, or previously held captive as illegal pets, it is now a habitat for a thriving population of healthy adolescent and young adult semi-wild orangutans.
Within the boundaries of the Semenggoh Nature Reserve, the animals – considered to be one of the world’s most intelligent primates – can roam freely in a protected environment, making it a significant conservation project worth supporting. The notoriously shy orangutans are most likely to make an appearance during the centre’s feeding times (which occur twice a day), while more adventurous visitors at the Centre can join a group and hire a ranger for a forest tour.
A three-hour visit to the orangutan sanctuary can be easily arranged through Hilton Kuching (fees start from RM100 per adult), as can a sunset Sarawak River cruise (from RM70 per adult) in a sampan. Against a backdrop of the distant mountains, you’ll spot Malay kampungs, a golden-domed mosque, a Victorian fort, a magnificent wooden-roofed palace, and 19th-century Chinese shophouses. Perhaps you’ll even catch a glimpse of Hilton Kuching waiting to welcome you back to its stylish rooms, complete with a pillow menu, Japanese cotton kimonos, and all the modern amenities you could wish for after your time in the wild.
