Hello
I was born and raised in Bukit Lawang. My grandfather and father (pictured below) were pioneering explorers of what is now the National Park, and I worked for many years as a licensed trekking guide. I established Sam's Bungalows in 2006 and I now use my experience and knowledge of the area to arrange once-in-a-lifetime experiences at affordable prices. My wife, Ifat, and I have created a very special place to stay, with unparalleled service and excellent food. We have three sons and a daughter. Myself, my family and staff are dedicated to the conservation of the fantastic natural resources within the park and surrounding areas, and 10% of the income from tours goes to funding local projects.
Welcome to Bukit Lawang
The village of Bukit Lawang is the gateway to the Gunung Leuser National Park which forms a part of the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site classified as an area of outstanding scenic beauty and of outstanding universal value. The park is home to a staggeringly high number of unique plants and animals, most notably the Sumatran oragutan, Sumatran elephant, Sumatran tiger and Sumatran rhino, and the rafflesia and titan arum plants.
Bukit Lawang is one of the best places to see Sumatran orangutans. The Bukit Lawang rehabilitation centre for orangutans was founded in 1973. Its main purpose was to preserve the decreasing number of orangutan population due to hunting, trading and deforestation. The centre closed in 2002, but the area remains home to many orangutans.
A flash flood hit Bukit Lawang on 2 November 2003. The disaster destroyed the local tourist resorts and had a devastating impact to the local tourism industry in the area. Thanks to several international cooperation agencies, the site was rebuilt and re-opened again in July 2004 and after a long process of regeneration it is now back to it's former glory.