Bukit Lawang

Bukit Lawang is a small tourist village on the bank of Bahorok River in North Sumatra, Indonesia. It is known for the largest animal sanctuary of Sumatran orangutan and is the main access point to the Gunung Leuser National Park from the east side. The village has a rehabilitation centre for orangutans, which was founded in 1973 to preserve the decreasing number of orangutan population due to hunting, trading, and deforestation. Although the centre closed in 2002, the area is still home to many orangutans and offers the chance to see an abundance of wildlife. The village was hit by a flash flood in 2003, but has since been rebuilt and is slowly regenerating. The young generation is working to rebuild the village in a more sustainable way and is aware of the importance of preserving the fragile ecosystem. The area is suitable for family visits, with opportunities to see orangutans and other wildlife in their natural habitat