Sun Bear Conservation Centre Borneo: A Sepilok Wonder
In the middle of the Bornean Jungle lies a Conservation Centre for the world's smallest and cutest bear, the Sun Bear. With a whopping 25 centimetre long tongue and unique golden patterns on their chest representing the sun, these bears truly are one of mothers nature’s most unique gifts. The Sun Bear Conservation Centre Borneo is the world’s only sanctuary for these incredible creatures, with the aim to raise awareness for the constant threat these bears are under. Currently listed as an vulnarable species, the Sun Bear population is rapidly decreasing throughout Southeast Asia’s jungles.
While visiting Sepilok, this centre is one of the top things to do, read on to find out everything you need to know before visiting the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre and how we can play a part in saving them.
Contents
Where Is The Sun Bear Conservation Centre Borneo?
Sepilok is a small town located in the area of Sabah, Malaysia. Sabah is a state in Northern Borneo and is described as a natural playground. For the adventurous traveler there is the Kinabatangan River, Danum Valley and Mount Kinabalu.
The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC) can be found in Sepilok which is a small town in the east of Sabah, near the main town of Sandakan. Nestled between palm oil plantations and immaculate rainforest the town stands strong as one of the last frontiers protecting the natural world.
How To Get To The Sun Bear Conservation Centre Borneo?
Once you’ve arrived in Sepilok, your hotel should be able to arrange a transfer to the Sun Bear Centre or you can book your own taxi via the Grab app.
Alternatively you could walk, especially if your accommodation is closeby. We stayed at The Sepilok Jungle Resort which was a beautiful oasis with a small lake on-site, perfect for early morning and evening wildlife watching, also only a 10 minute walk from the Orangutan Sanctuary & Sun Bear Centre. We also recommend staying at Sepilok B&B, a nice and quiet hotel with dorm rooms available just a 5 minute walk from the Rainforest Discovery Centre.
How To Get To Sepilok
From Kota Kinabalu (KK)
Like most people arriving in Sabah, we also started our journey from KK. There are two main ways to travel to Sepilok, the first is via an internal flight to Sandakan. The flight takes roughly 45 minutes and costs as little as £25 plus baggage. You can find low price flights for this route on Trip.com
Then from Sandakan to Sepilok, you can follow the section below, by getting a private car or bus. Taking a flight is definitely the more expensive option but also much more time efficient.
The second way, and the way we chose, was to get an 8 hour bus across Borneo, much more suited to couples who are on a budget. The bus passes through the Mount Kinabalu National Park so provides some impressive views, it also shows you the vast scale of the never ending Palm Oil Plantations that have taken over Sabah. Book Your Bus Here With Easy Book.
From Sandakan
The first option to get from Sandakan to Sepilok is a bus that leaves four times a day and takes around 40 minutes costing RM4 per person. The bus will drop you directly outside the Sun Bear Centre Sepilok. Another option is a private car for RM50 or a grab for RM25.
Alternatively you can book a Full Day Tour From Sandakan to eliminate any hassle.
Sandakan To Sepilok Times
9:30, 11:30, 14:00, 17:00
Sepilok To Sandakan Times
6:30, 10:30, 12:30, 16:00
Alternatively if you’re travelling in a group or a family, it would make more sense to book a private car to get from Sandakan to Sepilok.
Sun Bear Conservation Centre Borneo Description
From the safety of elevated platforms you can enjoy seeing the world's smallest bear, cute one second and viscous the next, watch them burrowing through tree trunks for insects and falling over, that is until the rangers bring food. Fresh fruits are scattered multiple times a day across the Bears territory, playtime is soon over, you will see the bears snarling and hear them roar, a true sight to behold and a clear reminder these cute bears are not to be messed with!
The canopy walk makes this a great activity for families, with information stands dotted along the platform, you can read and learn about these unique creatures while trying to spot them through the trees.
At the entrance of the centre is an aircon souvenir shop where you can also purchase drinks. There is also a small museum which is full of fun facts and documentaries playing on a screen, explaining how the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre was founded. It provides an incredible opportunity to see and learn about these endangered bears.
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre Entrance Fee
Malaysian: 2-17 years old RM 5/pax. Adult 18+ RM 10/pax
Non-Malaysian: 2-17 years old RM 25/pax. Adult 18+ RM 50/pax
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre Tours
If you’re looking for a more in-depth tour with a knowledgeable guide rather than strolling around aimlessly yourself, we highly recommend booking onto a tour. Your guides will provide constant facts and spot things you might not have, such as other animals & nests.
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre Volunteer
The centre accepts volunteers from all over the world! Join their volunteer program and participate in the following activities:
General Maintenance - clean the cages and help with feeding. Make sure you can handle some strong smells of Sun Bear poop! This role involves general maintenance of the sun bear facilities.
Habitat Enrichment - provide the bears with things that remind them of home! Leaves for bedding, special fruits, fig branches, termite nests etc.
Observation - gain invaluable insights into these endangered bears by observing their behavior, helping understand how we can rehabilitate them further.
Construction - help with construction around the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre: electric fences, cages and the amazing boardwalk that allows visitors to experience these wonderful animals.
Education - speak to school children and guests about these unique bears, spread as much positive knowledge as you can and help get the word out about these endangered bears!
The cost of volunteering! 14 day programme (MYR 5,090). 28 day programme (MYR 9,560)
How Can We Help The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre?
There are so many ways we can help protect these bears through supporting the Sepilok sun bear centre: adopt a bear, buy souvenirs in their store, volunteer, donate money, the list goes on!
Simply by visiting to see the bears you will be supporting the centre, helping them fund the food and staff costs.
Sun Bear Fun Facts
They are tropical bears so don’t need to hibernate
Sun bears eat fruits, plants, honey and small insects
Sun bears build nests and like to sleep high up in the canopy
They are endangered , with less than 10,000 of them left. The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation centre is the only one in the world
The golden patch of fur makes these guys so unique! Representing a pattern of a rising sun
The oldest Sun Bear lived to 34!
Sun Bear Centre Borneo Map
Sun Bear Centre Sepilok Common Questions
Is The Sun Bear Centre In Sandakan?
The Centre can be found in the town of Sepilok which is a 40 minute drive from Sandakan,
What Time Does The Sun Bear Centre Sepilok Open?
The Sun Bear Centre opens at 9am and closes at 3:30pm and the centre is open everyday of the week.
What Are The Feeding Times For The Bornean Sun Bear Centre
There are no set feeding times at the Sun Bear Centre to encourage the bears to forage for themselves, do not worry though as you can hang around in the museum or grab a drink at the shop while you wait.
How Much Is Entrance To The Sun Bear Centre?
Malaysian: 2-17 years old RM 5/pax. Adult 18+ RM 10/pax
Non-Malaysian: 2-17 years old RM 25/pax. Adult 18+ RM 50/pax
How Can I Support The Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre?
Reduce Your Palm Oil Consumption
Spread Awareness About The Sun Bear
Sun Bear Common Questions
Where Is The Best Place To See Sun Bears?
The best place to see Sun Bears is Malaysia Borneo but the bears are also found in Cambodia. They are notoriously hard to spot in the wild which is why BSBCC gives you a unique opportunity to experience the smallest bear in the world.
Discover The Best Time To Visit Borneo
Are Sun Bears Dangerous or Aggressive?
Sun Bears are extremely aggressive and pretty solitary animals. They can attack even without being provoked, but of course at the BSBCC you are above the bears safe on a viewing platform.
Can You Keep A Sun Bear As A Pet?
I hope this answer is obvious, of course not! This is part of the problem for Sun Bears, people buy cubs of the smallest bear in the world but they grow! They are then kept in tiny cages and not looked after, this is where BSBCC come in and try and help.
What To Do If You Encounter A Wild Sun Bear?
If you encounter a wild Sun Bear slowly move sideways out of its way. If it attacks, drop to the ground in a ball and cover your face. They can run super fast so do not try and outrun a bear.
Are Sun Bears Intelligent?
The Bears are considered quite intelligent. They are apt hunters and will fight off a leopard if needed. They can also remember where a food source is due to their great memory and perhaps the most interesting fact is that they communicate using facial movements.
Can A Sun Bear Stand Up?
Sun Bears can stand up on their hind legs and mothers have been seen walking like this with their baby in their arms.
What Do Sun Bears Eat?
Sun Bears are omnivores with a diet that includes ants, bees, honey, seeds, fruit and birds.
How Many Sun Bears Are Left? and How Rare Are Sun Bears?
There is no conclusive data on the amount of Sun Bears left in the wild. Sun Bears are one of the rarest species of bear and are classified as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List.
Why Are Sun Bears So Special?
They are the smallest bear in the world with a unique sun shaped pattern on their chest. They may not be the most popular bear or the most well known, but they deserve to be conserved and safeguarded for the future.
Best Places To Stay In Sepilok
Sepilok town sits on the edge of the Sabah Jungle Reserve and acts as a gateway to the Rainforest; it is also home to some of Borneo’s Conservation efforts to protect the exceptional wildlife and educate us on the threats to their habitat. Sepilok is a small town with only a handful of accommodation options meaning we advise you to book in advance.
We use Booking.com and HostelWorld for all of our stays around the world!
Below is a list of top accommodations we recommend for Sepilok, Sabah:
Top Things To Do In Sepilok
Top Pick: Rainforest Discovery Centre
A bridge between human civilisation and the dense Bornean jungle, home to some of the last wild orangutans left on planet earth, the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) Sepilok is a true gem and a must visit on your trip to Borneo.
Best Experience: Orangutan Sanctuary
On the edge of the Sabah rainforest reserve in Sepilok, you can find the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. In our eyes, an ethical centre that helps reintroduce Orangutans to the jungle.
Most Educational : Sun Bear Conservation Centre
In the middle of the Bornean Jungle lies a Conservation Centre for the world's smallest and cutest bear, the Sun Bear.
Off The Beaten Track: Head to Tungog Eco Camp
Fancy an adventure? Head deep into the jungle and find on the banks of the Kinabatangan River the Tungog Eco Camp. Spend your days on the river looking for wildlife such as the proboscis monkey, trekking in the jungle and uncovering hidden caves.
Essential Travel Items You Need For Borneo
 | Jungle Formula - High Deet Mosquito Spray The weak sprays will not work! Make sure to bring a high deet percentage spray made for the tropics. We also use Mosquito Wipes. |
 | Lifestraw - Filtered Water Bottle Allowing you to fill up water whenever and wherever with peace of mind, plus you’re helping the environment! |
 | Universal Travel Adaptor With Multiple USBs Life while travelling will never be the same again! Charge multiple devices all at once in any country... game changer. |
 | Binoculars To Spot The Wonderful Wildlife You're most likely heading to Borneo for the wildlife. Don't miss out on seeing these amazing animals up close and pack a good pair of binoculars! |
Top Tips For Travelling Borneo
If you’re visiting Borneo, here's our top tips:
Try Nasi Lemak - The national dish of Malaysia, Nasi Lemak is fresh grated coconut and steamed rice served on banana leaves.
Book flights in advance - they can become expensive if you leave it last minute… Also don't forget your Apple Airtags to track your bags.
Don't skip the Kinabatangan River - It may be pricey but this is where you're going to see most of Borneo's wildlife, including wild orangutans, proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants.
Dress for the jungle - Pack long sleeve, lightweight materials that cover you from mosquitos but will also keep you cool. Don't forget your Raincoat as tropical downpours are frequent.
Final Thoughts on The Sun Bear Conservation Centre Borneo
Sun Bears with their unique markings and personality should be high up on your Borneo bucket list. Although incredibly hard to see the in the wild, the Sun Bear Conservation Centre makes these animals accessible while raising funds for their future. The centre also prioritises education with lots of notice boards and a documentary to watch, these bears face multiple threats and with the palm oil industry booming their future is uncertain. We recommend heading down to visit the smallest bear, and in doing so your entrance fee will go towards protecting them for generations to come.
Travel Tools To Help You Plan
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Thank you for reading and enjoy your Borneo adventure. Reach out to us over on Instagram @KateandMikesTravels. We always love to hear from people who read our blogs!
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