Sumatran Trek--News

　　
Insects were not a problem, with but one solitary leech. Argus pheasant calls were heard and my guide had only seen one twice in a decade. Although it is estimated that the park is home to some sixty tigers the guide had never sighted one, nor any of leopards living there. Emerging after three days, the only minor problem was that my feet were beginning to develop prickly heat as it had been impossible to dry my runners. We had not encountered any other tourists, despite nearby Bukit Lawang being quite a touristy little community. And it was on its outskirts that I photographed this orangutan minded to cross a river.

The best time to visit this reserve is March to September but especially April/May when it is comparatively dry but still the tourist low season. June and July are the tourist high season. By November it is too wet and floods and landslides are a distinct possibility through to February. Testimony is this washed up log.

I did visit another Sumatran reserve in December and it was indeed very steamy. It was the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Bohorok and only a three hour drive from Medan, making it busy in weekends. Here young orangutans which have been confiscated as pets are reintroduced into the wild. Feeding them bananas on a platform is part of this process and guarantees photo opportunities. But in December my lenses were constantly fogging up!

Copyright Mark Berthold 2006