Bukit Lawang, Tourism village at Gunung Leuser National Park, Indonesia.
Bukit Lawang is a settlement along the Bahorok River in Gunung Leuser National Park in North Sumatra, surrounded by thick rainforest. The village stretches along the riverbank and serves as an entry point to protected forest where endangered primates live.
An orangutan rehabilitation center was established here in 1973, making the place a key sanctuary for endangered primates. The center became crucial for rescuing animals from captivity and stopping hunting pressure.
Local Batak people shape daily life here through their traditional wooden houses and regional dishes that you encounter in guesthouses and local eateries.
The village lies about 2 hours northwest of Medan by road, making it accessible for day trips or longer stays. Local guides organize walking treks through the jungle and paddling tours on the river to observe wildlife up close.
When hiking here, you may encounter orangutans in the wild without them being habituated to humans like in other sanctuaries. These unpredictable meetings with the animals in their natural state make each forest walk feel like a genuine expedition.
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