HOW
TO KEEP THE JUNGLE CLEAN & THE WILDLIFE SAFE
FOLLOW OUR ETHICAL JUNGLE RULES
The rainforest of the Gunung Leuser National Park is home to the last remaining population of Sumatran Orangutans (less than 6500) but also to other endangered and unique wildlife species. The Sumatran jungle is a unique but fragile ecosystem where every species of flora and fauna are interdependent. Being already threaten by palm oil plantations, the remaining rainforest is a protected area! That is the reason why Bukit Lawang is highly commited to eco-tourism and want to minimize the impact of each visitor. Thus, it is not possible to do trekking in the Gunung Leuser National Park without an official guide. To preserve this unique ecosystem it is important that each visitor understand their impact and do everything to help ensuring the survival of the endangered species and their home, the wonderful jungle!
Let's protect & save the less than 6500 Sumatran Orangutans left!
HERE ARE OUR GUIDELINES TO KEEP THE JUNGLE GREEN & THE WILDLIFE SAFE
1.
To control the negative human impacts and optimize your experience in the jungle do not plan a trekking group of more than 6 people!
2.
Do absolutely not touch orangutans or any other wildlife. Indeed orangutans share 96.5% of human ADN so they may catch your diseases and you might catch theirs. What can be a small cold for us, can kill them!
3.
Do not go trekking if you are sick and let us know about your condition! Indeed orangutans share 96.5% of human ADN so they may catch your diseases and you might catch theirs. What can be a small cold for us, can kill them!
4.
Do not feed the orangutans (or other wildlife) under any circumstances (especially not for selfie purposes!). You might meet some guides in the jungle who are doing it but Sumatra Orangutan Explore doesn't tolerate this practice!
5.
While observing the orangutans, keep a security distance of 10 meters and try to sit. Be as quiet as possible, do not call them & do not make monkeys sounds. Do not open your bag. Do not observe them for more than 30 minutes & always keep an eye on your guide!
6.
Do not stay between two orangutans especially between a mum and its baby or between a female and a male (during love season).
7.
Do not damage/take/pick any plants, leafs, seeds or fruits in the jungle as the rainforest is a unique & very fragile ecosystem where everything is interdependent!
8.
Less-waste policy: follow our policy and try to produce as less waste as possible while trekking and give us everything sothat we can bring all waste back to Bukit Lawang to be recycled!
9.
Keep the jungle clean! Do not leave anything in the jungle (tissue, water bottles, cigarette butts, food scraps, plastic). Our guides are doing everything to keep the jungle clean so if you'd like you can help them to collect some rubbish on your way!
10.
Do not go into the jungle alone & without a certified guide!
TREKKING ONLY WITH LICENSED GUIDES
Some trekking companies in Bukit Lawang are working with guides that do not have a licence and who have uneco-friendly practices that might affect the rainforest and the orangutans (too big group size, feeding & touching the orangutans, leaving rubbish...)
That's the reason why we are working only with local guides who are certified by the local ITGA-HPI (Indonesia Tourist Guides Association - Himpunan Pramuwisata Ind.). They will share with you their incredible knowledge and will respect strictly our jungle guidelines just above!
Trekking with Sumatra Orangutan Explore is opting for an activity that will preserve the rainforest, save the orangutans & support local people