Tours/Penang Island/Bukit Merah Orang Utan and Penang City Private Tour
Viator · Private tour

Bukit Merah Orang Utan and Penang City Private Tour

4.9(63)Penang Island1 hour
VIATOR4.9(48)TRIPADVISOR5.0(15)

Description

Embark on an unforgettable journey filled with nature's wonders and cultural delights. Get up close and personal with these gentle giants, learn about their conservation efforts, and feel your heart swell with admiration for these incredible beings. Prepare yourself to be enchanted by the rich tapestry of cultures and flavors that await you in Penang, fondly known as the "Pearl of the Orient. Book your adventure to Orang Utan Island and Penang city tour today, and let the magic of Malaysia unfold before your eyes!

Tour Options

Bukit Merah Orang Utan and Penang City Private Tour
  • Pickup included

Itinerary

Admission not included240 min

Embark on a unique conservation journey to Orang Utan Island in Bukit Merah, a sanctuary dedicated to preservation and research of these magnificent creatures. Spanning over 15 acres, this island offers a rare opportunity to observe Orang Utan up close, living in a semi-wild environment. the protected enclosure allows visitors to walk through a tunnel, witnessing the Orang Utans as they climb, play, and interact in their natural habitat. Orang Utan Island is not just an attraction; it is a vital project aimed at educating the public on the importance of protecting endangered species and their environments. The island located in the outskirts where the traveling time may take up to 3 hours back and forth.

45 min

Walk through time at Chew Jetty, the largest and most intact of Penang's historic clan jetties. Part of the Penang Heritage Trail, this waterfront settlement is built on stilts over the water, offering a glimpse into the lives of the Chinese immigrants who settled here over a century ago.

45 min

Dive into the vibrant streets of George Town, where art comes alive on every corner. This UNESCO World Heritage site is famous for its interactive street art, blending historical scenes with whimsical humor. Created by artists from around the globe, including the renowned Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic, these murals turn the city into a sprawling open-air gallery. George Town's street are is a testament to the city's creative spirit and cultural richness.

Highlights

Private transportation
Hotel/ port pickup and drop-off
Professional Guide
Parking Fees

What's included

Included
Private transportation
Hotel/ port pickup and drop-off
Professional Guide
Parking Fees
Not included
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island Foundation

Pickup Locations & Times

Look for our tour guide with their names on the placard.

Traveller Ratings

4.9
63 reviews
5
61
4
1
3
0
2
1
1
0

Important Information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • This is a private tour/ activity. Only your group will participate

Reviews(63)

P
Prue_A
July 11, 2026
A great day full of different experiences

Leslie was a very friendly and knowledgeable guide. We had an excellent day. Great to see the orangutans up close.

J
Jeanie_W
July 1, 2026
We had a lovely time with...

We had a lovely time with Leslie. He was thoroughly warm and caring and went out of his way to make our day special. We appreciated the fruit he brought for us to feed the orangutans and the local information he told us. It was great to have a local guide us to some delicious street food and along the jetties. We are so grateful.

Operator response

Thank you so much for your heartfelt review! We're delighted to hear that you had such a lovely day with Leslie. He truly enjoys sharing the beauty, culture, and local experiences of Penang with our guests, and we're thrilled that his warmth, care, and attention helped make your day so special. It's wonderful to know that you enjoyed feeding the orangutans, discovering local street food, exploring the jetties, and learning more about Penang through a local's perspective. Experiences like these are what make a visit truly memorable. We greatly appreciate your kind words and gratitude. Thank you for choosing to tour with us, and we hope to welcome you back again for another unforgettable adventure in Penang!

J
Jane_I
June 19, 2026
Don't miss out on this tour

This is a fabulous tour. Jackie was an amazing guide, full of information. Getting up close to 7 adult and 1 baby orang-utans was something I will never forget. Jane

Operator response

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you had such a memorable experience and that Jackie helped make the tour special with her knowledge and passion. Seeing 7 adult orangutans and a baby up close is truly an incredible wildlife

S
Sandra P
June 14, 2026
Penang sightseeing and Orangutan experience

Ernest Loh was our fantastic guide for the day. He was a very safe driver and took care of all our needs including a delicious lunch, great coffee, and knowledge of Penang. The Buddhist temples were a highlight of the island before we headed to the Orangutan sanctuary. Ernest got us some one-to-one time with one of the sanctuary’s most beautiful inhabitants - Hiroshi the 11 year old orangutan. It was an unforgettable experience. Thank you for the amazing time and your wonderful photos, Ernest!

Operator response

Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you had such a memorable day exploring Penang with Ernest. It's great to know that you enjoyed the island's beautiful Buddhist temples, the delicious local food and coffee, and the insights Ernest shared throughout the journey. We're especially pleased that your visit to the orangutan sanctuary was such a highlight. Spending one-to-one time with Hiroshi is indeed a special experience, and we're glad it became a lasting memory for you. Thank you for choosing to explore Penang with us, and we hope to welcome you back for another amazing adventure in the future!

M
marviniq
June 12, 2026
Great tour with Leslie

Leslie was a delightful guide and very generous with his time and care of us during the tour. We had a great time and have some great video memories to enjoy.

Operator response

Thank you for your wonderful review! It was truly a pleasure showing you around Penang. I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and created great video memories to look back on. Your kind words mean a lot, and I hope those memories bring a smile for years to come. Wishing you safe travels, and I look forward to welcoming you back to Penang again in the future!

D
Daine_L
June 11, 2026
The Orangutan Sanctuary...

The Orangutan Sanctuary and tour of Georgetown was one of the highlights of our trip! Jackie did a phenomenal job as our tour guide and ensured we had a terrific day. Would highly recommend!!

Operator response

Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that the Orangutan Sanctuary and George Town tour was one of the highlights of your trip. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back to Penang for another memorable adventure in the future!

S
Sandra_S
May 14, 2026
We had a fantastic time...

We had a fantastic time on this tour. Our guide Ashline picked us up at the cruise terminal. She was very friendly and knowledgable. Ashline brought a large bag of fruit for us to feed the orangutans. There were only 2 other couples at the sanctuary so we were able to get pretty close to the orangutans for some great photos. We then returned to George Town where Ashline stopped to get us some delicious samosas for lunch. Then a tour of the area. We saw the street art & walked along Chew Jetty. We would have spent longer there but the intense heat was too much for us so Ashline returned us to our ship. Highly recommend this excursion.

Operator response

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a fantastic time with Ashline. She truly enjoys sharing Penang’s culture, history, and wildlife experiences with our guests. It’s wonderful to know you enjoyed the visit to the orangutan sanctuary and had the chance to get close to the orangutans for memorable photos. We’re also happy that you enjoyed the local samosas and exploring George Town, including the street art and Chew Jetty. We completely understand the tropical heat can sometimes be intense, and we’re glad Ashline was able to adjust the schedule to ensure you remained comfortable throughout the day. Thank you again for your recommendation and support. We hope to welcome you back again for another memorable experience in Penang!

C
Champika_G
May 7, 2026
Our guide Leslie was the...

Our guide Leslie was the most wonderful guide. Extremely attentive, knowledgable and went above and beyond to give us a best overall experience. When we were in Bukit Merah, we were taken around by an inhouse guide. She obviously cared deeply about the rescued Orangutans, it showed in her explanations and knowledge. She knew each and every Orangutan's history, personality and likes and dislikes. Also our wonderful Leslie had come bearing fruits and nuts for the animals so we were lucky enough to experience feeding these wonderful animals. The inhouse guide was able to answer all our questions and gave us plenty of time to spend in the island. Following this wonderful trip, Leslie drove us back to George Town and took us to the Jettys. Leslie explained the history of these and how they are now protected. He was very patient while we looked around all the shops and really helped us with our purchases. I feel the whole experience was wonderful and was made 100% better by our guide. So thank you Leslie for being the most wonderful, thoughtful, funny, caring person.

Operator response

Here’s a warm and professional reply you can post: Thank you so much for your incredibly kind and thoughtful review. We are truly delighted to hear that Leslie made your experience so memorable. His passion for sharing the beauty, history, and culture of the island always shines through. We’re also so happy you enjoyed your visit to Bukit Merah and the opportunity to learn more about the rescued Orangutans from the inhouse guide. It’s heartwarming to know that the care and dedication shown by the team made such a meaningful impression on you. From feeding the animals to exploring the Jettys and learning about their history, it sounds like you had a truly special day, and we’re honored to have been part of it. Thank you once again for your support and recommendation. We hope to welcome you back again for another amazing adventure in the future!

C
carolgF668TD
May 4, 2026
Culture, History, and Preservation of Endangered Species

Communication was excellent before the tour with. emailed tickets and phone calls the day of the excursion. Ernest, our guide, was kind, considerate, and knowledgeable. He took us to to Khoo Kongsi, a genealogical clan's complex established to improve Chinese immigrants' lives through education, jobs, and health care. From there, we went to the orangutan sanctuary where caretakers feed and train orphaned or abused apes for release into the wild in Borneo. Getting close and feeding these animals was a real highlight. Finally, we drove through Chinese, Indian, and English conclaves in Penang noting the difference in architecture and purpose. Ernest took wonderful photos of us with the orangs and emailed them to us in Whatsapp.

Operator response

Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a wonderful experience from start to finish. Providing clear communication and ensuring our guests feel well taken care of before the tour even begins is very important to us, so we’re happy to know that made a positive impression. Ernest will be especially pleased to hear your kind words. His knowledge, attentiveness, and caring nature truly help create memorable experiences for our guests. We’re glad you enjoyed visiting Khoo Kongsi and learning about its rich history and significance to the Chinese community in Penang. It’s also wonderful to hear that your time at the orangutan sanctuary was such a highlight. Getting the opportunity to be close to these amazing animals and learning about their rescue and rehabilitation is always a special experience. We’re also happy you enjoyed exploring the different cultural enclaves of Penang and discovering the island’s unique blend of heritage and architecture. And of course, we’re glad Ernest could help capture those special memories for you with photos to look back on. Thank you again for your recommendation and support. We hope to welcome you back again for another memorable adventure in Penang!

D
D2774HLdanielb
April 26, 2026
Bukit Merah Orang Utan Preserve Penang

Bukit Merah Orang Utan Preserve in Penang was a thrilling experience for me. Any animal lover would enjoy being guided by Ms. Peggy. She was knowledgeable and kind about all aspects of the visit. I felt like I was a VIP from the start to finish. Guides in the park and caretakers were friendly, as well! 5 star excursion!

Operator response

Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review. We are delighted to hear that you had such a thrilling and memorable experience at Bukit Merah Orang Utan Preserve. It is especially rewarding to know that Ms. Peggy made your visit so enjoyable with her knowledge, kindness, and attentive service. Your feedback means a great deal to us, and we are truly pleased that you felt like a VIP throughout the journey. Thank you once again for choosing us. We look forward to welcoming you on another memorable excursion in the future.

You might also like...