Bukit Lawang is the name of a village situated on the west side of North Sumatera Province and on the edge of the Gunung Leuser National Park. "Gunung" means "mountain", "Bukit" means hill," and "lawang" means "door" or gate," so "Bukit Lawang" means "The Hill, which is the Gateway to the Mountain."

Baborok is only a small part of the 1.094.962 hectares of Mt. Leuser National Park. The magnificent rainforest of the park has become famous throughout the world as it harbours some of the most endangered and rare species on earth, for example, Sumatran rhinoceros, orangutans, and Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world. The park is inhabited by animals like the Great Argus Pheasant, elephant, Sumatera Tiger, and as many as seven species of primate, one of which is the Siamang, which has an impressive, far-reaching vocal display. The agile and pretty-faced Thomas leaf monkey and long-tailed macaques are also commonly seen.

In total, the park lists 285 species of birds and 90 species of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. The park's flora contains some 3500 plant species, and on each hectare of the lowland forest, you can find an amazing 60–13 tree species. Geologically, there are several limestone formations along the foothills of the mountains, some with beautiful caves. Long ago, these were coral reefs, which have since been uplifted from the sea at a rate of a few millimetres per year by the process of colliding ocean floors and drifting continents. These infinitely slow collisions and the enormous forces involved have led to the formation of high mountains and volcanic zones. Only some 1800 years ago, during glacial times. The peaks of the park, Mt. Leuser, Mt. Kemiri, and others, were still covered by glaciers, snow, and ice. The sea level at that time was more than 80 m lower than it is today, and the islands of Sumatera, Java, and Borneo then formed one huge land mass that was connected via Malaysia to the Asian Mainland.

FLIGHTS & TRANSPORTATION 

To get to North Sumatra and Bukit Lawang you have to book a flight to Medan (KNO – Kualanamu International Airport)

Private Car - We will happily organize you a pickup service from the airport directly to your accommodation in Bukit Lawang. This is the easiest way, because you will have your personal car with air con and your personal driver, who can stop wherever you need it (e.g., to have lunch or dinner on the way). A private car costs 45,00€ and the drive takes about 4 hours.

Tourist Bus - this means you will share a private car with other tourists who arrive about at the same time at the airport (sometimes it means to wait for the arrival of another plane). Therefore, that option depends on the season. Please let us know if you are interested and we will give you the current information. Tourist bus cost 12,00 € and takes about 5 to 6 hours to Bukit Lawang.

Public Bus - We only recommend this option if you are an Indonesian Citizen or have lived in Indonesia for a while, as this drive is quite an adventure! From the airport you have to take a bus to Binjai. There you have to find a smaller bus going to Bukit Lawang. Prices depend on the bus driver, but mostly tourists have to pay more than locals. Therefore, we highly advise you to use option 1 or 2! Of course, all of these options are valid vice versa (from Bukit Lawang to Medan airport)

Please keep your distance from the orangutan

Do not touch the orangutan or any other wildlife 

Do not make loud noises that may intimidate the orangutan

Do not eat or drink whilst observing the orangutan as it may encourage them to attack for the food

Do not go into the jungle if you are not well as there is a risk for making the orangutans sick

Do not take anything out of the jungle, other than what you took with you