The Bukit Lawang Jungle Trek: How To See Orangutans!

There’s a good chance you’ll see an orangutan before you even start your Bukit Lawang jungle trek. 

That’s because it’s not uncommon for the area’s red-haired inhabitants to try their luck in a guesthouse kitchens. 

Or, if you’re like me and thoughtlessly leave your door open, perhaps even in your room! 

(Don’t do as I did – make sure you always shut the door!).

These “semi-wild” orangutans frequent the village of Bukit Lawang on an almost daily basis.

Due to the closure of a rehabilitation centre and some not-so-ethical practices that occurred here at the start of the century, the orangutans who once made use of its services are more tame than the average ape. 

(Note: All guides I met were very strict about keeping distance and not feeding the wildlife, so I do believe this has changed.)

For this reason, seeing a Sumatran orangutan on a Bukit Lawang jungle trek is about as close to guaranteed as you can realistically get when it comes to wildlife spotting. 

So, you might be wondering, is it even worth embarking on a jungle trek at all? 

I embarked on a 2 Day/1 Night jungle trek organised by Discover Sumatra and it was without doubt the highlight of my entire Indonesia trip. Here’s why…

The Sumatra Jungle Trekking Experience

Honestly… if you just want to see a wild orangutan and call it a day, perhaps hanging around the Bukit Lawang guesthouses is your best bet. 

But if you want to see orangutans in North Sumatra’s stunning Leuser National Park, have a chance to spot other wildlife including Thomas Leaf monkeys, gibbons and hornbills, and have one of the best outdoor experiences of your life, a jungle trek is a must. 

Seeing orangutans in the wild was the thing I was most excited for during my Indonesia travels and yet the experience of the Sumatra jungle trek was what I found myself excitedly raving about to anyone who would listen for weeks after. 

TRAVEL TIP | Use an eSIM like this one if you plan to go off-the-beaten track.

So, what makes a Bukit Lawang jungle trek so special? Is it worth doing? And what do you absolutely need to know before you sign up for your own Sumatra jungle trekking experience? 

I visited the Sumatra jungle with Discover Sumatra and (clearly!) can’t recommend it enough, but it’s one trip where you want to know what you’re getting into. 

So, here is everything it would be helpful to know before booking your own Sumatra jungle trek. 

p.s. Make sure you check out all of my other guides to Indonesia for more inspiration, practical tips and essential travel advice for more incredible nature destinations. 

Visiting the jungle in North Sumatra

Sumatra is a nature lover’s dream. 

Its rainforests are home to the Sumatran rhino, Sumatran elephants and the elusive Sumatran tiger, as well as the red-haired orangutans that draw most visitors to the region.

I say “most visitors” very lightly because there didn’t seem to be many at all.

The first thing I noticed was just how few tourists there were – something that surprised me given that Medan is a large, bustling city with the international Medan airport.

Add to that the fact that Sumatra is one of only two islands where you can see orangutans, and I expected to see many other tourists on a similar venture.

NEED TO KNOW | Apart from Sumatra, the only other place to spot orangutans in the wild is on the island of Borneo.

And yet I often felt like one of only a handful of tourists, making North Sumatra feel like a true adventure. 

Relatively untouched – especially compared to places like Komodo National Park and Bali – that also means there is a certain lack of infrastructure and punctuality. 

But, if you can roll with it, Northern Sumatra has so much to offer.

If you’re still not totally convinced, here’s a couple of photos I took there that may sway your mind…

Not only will you likely see the vivid Sumatran orangutan during your Bukit Lawang jungle trek, but you’ll possibly see them up close. Very close.

Seriously… had to put distance between myself and an orangutan on several occasions!

And, if that’s not enough, here are five more reasons why the jungle in particular should take a prime spot on your North Sumatra itinerary: 

Should you join a jungle trek in North Sumatra?

Not sure if a jungle trek is for you?

Here’s what to expect on an orangutan trek in Bukit Lawang:

1 – Sumatra is one of only two islands where you can see orangutans in the wild 

Of course, seeing orangutans is the main reason why many travellers (myself included) head for the Sumatra jungle. 

Along with the island of Borneo, it is the only place in the entire world where you can see these mesmerising apes in their natural habitat. 

And, while seeing orangutans in Borneo’s high canopies offers a unique jungle experience of its own, you simply can’t get as up-close and personal as you can in the Sumatran jungle. 

2 – It’s a completely unique experience 

You may head to the jungle in search of wild orangutans, but what you’ll experience is so much more. 

Nothing compares to seeing an orangutan gliding through the forest, of course. But the trek itself is almost as magical – especially if you stay overnight in the jungle. (Don’t miss the details later in this post!)

3 – You will be immersed in nature 

As you might expect, cell service is intermittent at best while you’re trekking in the jungle. And, the deeper you get, the harder it is to come across. 

But the truth is you probably won’t even notice. 

When you embark on a jungle trek from Bukit Lawang, you’ll be completely absorbed in the nature that surrounds you, from the towering canopies and gentle hum of the jungle to the constant chance of spotting a furry friend ahead of you.

4 – It’s really fun! 

If you plan to spend a night in the jungle, don’t think camping is just a means to an end. 

Far from it, some of my favourite moments from the orangutan jungle trek were when we weren’t even looking for wildlife. 

The guides we had with Discover Sumatra were such incredible company and made every single second as fun as could be, especially in the evening at the campsite. 

After dark, with nothing but a torch and each other’s company, we talked, shared food, played games and laughed more than I’ve laughed in a long time I almost forgot we were in the jungle.

5 – Ecotourism helps protect the wildlife here

While many places suffer from overtourism that (ironically) threatens the wildlife that tourists travel to see, this doesn’t seem to be the case in Sumatra. 

Far from it, funds generated from tourism provide an income for local people that doesn’t involve deforestation (such as palm oil) and an incentive to protect and preserve the nature as it should be. 

While this could change if large numbers of tourists begin to flock to small villages like Bukit Lawang, that risk appears to be a very long way away. 

Plus, there are plenty of other nearby spots – such as Lake Toba – that still have very small numbers of tourists passing through.

And, since the local sanctuary and feeding station closed several years ago, there is no interference with the natural order of things, making jungle trekking in Sumatra a very ethical way to encounter wildlife. 

What to expect during a Sumatra orangutan trekking experience

After lots of early mornings in Lombok and Flores, I was surprised to find out that our Bukit Lawang jungle trek wouldn’t start until 9am.

Our English speaking guide, Ibo, was waiting for us at Sahnan guesthouse with a smile on his face.

His eyes were lit up with enthusiasm from the second we met and didn’t waiver once throughout the two days we spent together.

As we headed into the National Park, he pointed out some of the plant species, showed us how local houses are built and explained how rubber farming has affected the area.

During this time, I noticed several important reminders to avoid feeding or touching the wild animals.

The trek itself starts off fairly easy. The only real challenge is the heat and humidity – but it’s the rainforest, after all!

Day two was more challenging, with some steep climbs and descents. Some parts were tricker than the Rinjani hike, though I would say it was more relaxed overall.

My fitness level is pretty good and I found it tricky in places, but I also had a heavy amount of camera gear on my back.

With only a small backpack for your change of clothes, it would have been much easier (but still a challenge!).

Yet, in true Sumatra style, there is no rush and you can take it at your own pace.

After the most strenuous part of the jungle trek, you get rewarded with one of the highlights of the whole experience.

Instead of trekking all the way back to Bukit Lawang, you take a “jungle taxi” raft and arrive back your accommodation in around 20 minutes.

And it’s a VERY fun 20 minutes!

Jungle camping in Sumatra 

Whenever someone asks me about the orangutan trekking, they end up hearing just as much about my night in the jungle as my super close encounters with apes. 

I really can’t emphasise how enjoyable this part of the experience was, and I highly, highly urge you to spend at least one night in the jungle. 

If camping isn’t your thing, one night is enough to get the full experience. But, if I did it again, I would want to do a 3-day 2-night trek for the camping experience alone. 

There’s nothing quite like being completely immersed in nature, falling asleep in total darkness and waking up to the soothing jungle sounds. Or, in my case, waking up to an otter jumping across my path on the way to the toilet! 

While unsurprisingly simple, our jungle camp was surprisingly well-equipped. Nestled on the edge of a small stream, we were able to bathe and swim when we arrived and the guides even provide a natural lemongrass soap so we could take a “jungle shower”. 

Tip: You’ll want to pack swimwear!

The campsite consisted of a shelter with mats, pillows and light blankets, all safely protected with a mosquito net. 

We enjoyed a family dinner around a makeshift dining area with “seats” made from mats that doubled up as sun loungers when we first arrived. 

Our team of three made sure we had all the tea, coffee, snacks and water we needed, and there was also a modest toilet with everything except toilet paper tucked away for extra comfort.

And, while an open-air jungle toilet will never be a luxurious experience, it was a nice surprise to find a “real” toilet in the plastic tent. A big change from the hole in the ground set up for us at the crater rim campsite on the Rinjani hike!  

Food on the jungle trek

If there was something that surprised me during my jungle tour, it was just how good the food was.

When you’re roughing it in the Sumatran rainforest, you don’t expect to enjoy some of your best meals in Indonesia… but that’s exactly what happened to me.

On the first day, we stopped for a late lunch because we were lucky enough to spend a long time with a mother orangutan and her baby.

Lunch was nasi goreng served in a banana leaf, and followed by a wider selection of fresh fruit than I usually consume in a week for dessert.

If that wasn’t enough, our guide and porter spent time making sure it was beautifully presented with carved shapes and flowers for decoration. All while chasing off any macaques that tried to steal it!

When we arrived at our campsite, our crew were quick to set up some make-shift sun loungers, where we enjoyed hot tea and coffee, and a pack of coconut cookies after a refreshing jungle shower in the stream.

And then there was dinner. Served family-style, the food was so delicious that I even asked for the recipes!

I was so tired and hungry after a day of trekking that I would have been more than happy with some plain rice and crackers. So to have such a great meal was pure heaven.

The spread of both vegetarian and non-veggie dishes was more than we could all manage, even after a long day of exercise.

The following morning we woke up to a hearty breakfast – a sandwich I could hardly finish – and more coffee than we could consume. And the best thing about coffee in Indonesia is that it’s almost always grown and roasted locally.

If you’re worried about food on the trek, don’t be.

It could easily have come straight out of a fancy restaurant in Ubud. In fact, it might be some of the tastiest and healthiest food you enjoy while in Indonesia!

How hard is jungle trekking?

The great thing about taking a jungle trek from Bukit Lawang is you can choose to make it as strenuous or laidback as you like.

Unless you have a reason not to, I highly recommend spending at least one night in the jungle.

As I learned from a fellow guest at my Bukit Lawang accommodation, even if you think the trek itself will be too strenuous, it’s totally possible to still enjoy the overnight trek experience.

“I couldn’t do it” were the first words she uttered when I asked her about it over breakfast.

Having only just about recovered from the strenuous Rinjani hike from the week before, it caught me off-guard.

I had assumed – perhaps naively so – that jungle trekking in Sumatra would be fairly accessible to anyone with a basic fitness level. And in many ways it is.

However, while the trek is fairly slow and doesn’t cover a whole lot of ground or elevation, the terrain can occasionally get tricky.

If the climbs are too much, there are alternative ways to enjoy the Sumatran jungle. My breakfast companion was able to still enjoy the full experience by trekking along the river bank instead of through the dense jungle terrain.

After all, as with any wildlife-focused experience, you simply can’t plan in too much detail.

Bukit Lawang jungle trek options 

It’s also possible to do a day trek, a half-day trek or multiple single-day tours if you prefer to spend every night in a Bukit Lawang guest house.

But, in my opinion, skipping the jungle camping would be skipping one of the highlights of the trek.

If you’re keen to go deeper into the jungle and increase your chances of seeing as much wildlife as possible, it’s possible to trek for up to five days.

If you choose to do more than three days, be prepared to get very messy, very sweaty, and make sure you come armed with the appropriate gear.

I foolishly forgot to wear long socks and ended up with quite a few leech bites (and blood-stained socks… ew!).

The leeches near the entrance to the park are tiny so, aside from ruined socks, all you’ll have to deal with is a few marks and cleaner blood.

However, as you venture farther into the jungle, you’ll want to protect yourself against the larger leeches that live there.

Having completed a two-day jungle trek, I also think anything more than three days would be quite challenging for most travellers.

Even though you move slowly, the heat, humidity and dirt all start to pile up. Plus, aside from food and water refills, you need to carry everything that you need for the entire trek with you.

And more days = more stuff.

Booking your Bukit Lawang jungle trek

So, you know you want to book an orangutan jungle trekking experience in North Sumatra?

Great! I promise you won’t regret it.

However, as with any popular tourism spot, there are lots of companies to choose between.

And, as is sadly often the case when it comes to natural wonders, not all tour operators respect the natural environment and the endangered animals that call it home, or the local community of Bukit Lawang.

Be wary of any company that offers a discount because prices for jungle trekking in North Sumatra are set by the Indonesian tourist guide association.

That means that cost isn’t really a factor and you can choose a tour operator that practices ethical tourism without paying more.

To make sure your trip to Sumatra is contributing positively to the amazing wildlife you’re going there to see, choose a reputable company that values ecotourism and the communities it affects.

My Bukit Lawang jungle trek was arranged by Discover Sumatra and, not only was it well-organised in every way, but I could also tell that they genuinely care about the people and environments they work with.

I spoke to the owner, Christine, after my jungle trek and her passion for North Sumatra is contagious.

Not only that but, as I remarked to her, my jungle guides were by far the best guides I’ve encountered on any trip – and that’s saying something for a full-time travel blogger who’s visited more than 70 countries!

You can check out their full list of North Sumatra tours here.

If you want to see more of the region, including the famous Lake Toba – something I highly recommend! – you can add a longer North Sumatra tour on to your Bukit Lawang jungle trek and they will take care of everything.

When to go jungle trekking in Sumatra

According to our tour guide, the months of June, July and August are when Bukit Lawang is at its buzziest.

When I visited in December, I was surprised by just how quiet it was, but I don’t think that makes it a bad time to plan a trip.

On the contrary, I really enjoyed visiting during the low season because it meant there were very few tourists in Gunung Leuser National Park – something that is quite rare for a UNESCO World Heritage Site and likely to increase the chances of wildlife sightings.

It also helps support local communities by providing more consistent income to the guides whose livelihood depends on ecotourism in the area.

Many of them enjoy regular work throughout the high season – sometimes choosing to work back-to-back jungle tours to capitalise on the influx – but have to endure more unpredictable income throughout the low season.

For these reasons, I think December can be a great time to take a Bukit Lawang jungle trek, as long as you don’t mind the risk of rain. But, if you’re planning to visit the rainforest, you kind of expect rain at any time of year!

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