Where can you see wild monkeys in Southeast Asia? We’ve met macaques, langurs, proboscis monkeys and other primates everywhere from the streets of Lopburi to the forests of Borneo. Some encounters were wonderful. Others involved Fanfan, a monkey landing on her head and a very unfortunate laptop.
This is our original collection of early travel encounters, including a few trips beyond Southeast Asia to India and Sri Lanka. We’ve added practical tips for spotting wildlife responsibly, and a note about gibbons and orangutans, which are apes rather than monkeys.
Our Wild Monkey Encounters in Southeast Asia and Beyond
Please don’t encourage cruelty at monkey tourist attractions truth is you will find endless opportunities to meet real wild monkeys, living their normal monkey lives in Southeast Asia. Monkeys found almost everywhere in the region.
Monkeys which we have taken for granted while living here. It wasn’t until recent chit-chat with an Argentinian traveller did we realise this. “I really want to see monkeys.”, “What monkeys? A certain type of monkey??”, “No any monkey, do you know where to find them?”, “Where do I begin…”
I think the reason we take monkeys for granted is because they are annoying. We spend more time avoiding them than trying to find them. You will likely feel the same after your first encounter or two. Monkeys in Southeast Asia, or at least many of them, are irritating.
They will confront you, grab at you and given the chance steal from you. Do be careful around them. Don’t stand still, don’t act frightened, don’t have loose belongings and if you plan on feeding them… good luck.
If monkeys come too close or appear threatening swing a boot in their direction and they should back away. Over the years we have met numerous monkeys in Southeast Asia. To the despair of Fanfan the monkey hater. Fanfan and monkeys have never been on good terms, from a monkey jumping on her head to a broken laptop incident (snigger). Here are some of our more memorable encounters with monkeys in Southeast Asia (and beyond). From urban cities to remote islands.
Long-Tailed Macaques, Lopburi, Central Thailand
The most common monkey in Southeast Asia and easily the most annoying. These Macaques give other monkeys a bad name. If you do plan on finding them try Lopburi Town in central Thailand a town ruled by monkeys. Menacing residents, stealing from vehicles, humping roadside. Urban pests. On my last visit one tried stealing my camera bag. If this happens to you swing the bag round your head until monkeys gets dizzy and he should let go. Other notable encounters include Langkawi Islands (Malaysia), Ubud Monkey Forest (Bali Indonesia), Khao Takiab Krabi (Thailand), Monkey Beach Ko Phi-Phi (Thailand), Batu Cave Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Erawan Falls, Kanchanaburi (Thailand).
Crab-Eating Macaques, Ko Phi-Phi, Thailand
Same monkey different name. Crab-eating Macaques are no different to the long-tailed macaques. The only reason for adding them here is to share our experience at Monkey Beach, Ko Phi-Phi where we arrive by boat to hissing and snarling. Fanfan being friendly goes to make peace but mummy monkey jumps from branches above to land on her head. Fanfan backs away as the monkeys gather in trees above and we scarper as the boat skipper fends them off by swinging a rope. Monkeys can be territorial so try not to piss them off. Thankfully these are some of the more aggressive monkeys in Southeast Asia.
Rhesus Macaques, West Bengal, India
Rhesus Macaques are also found within Southeast Asia. In honesty I couldn’t tell the difference between the Rhesus and long-tailed Macaques, other than being nicer and more docile on this occasion. Here we meet on the road to Sikkim in the Himalayas. The encounter memorable after finding a dead monkey lying face down on the road having likely been hit by a passing vehicle. Sad.
Macaques in Sri Lanka: Our Kandy and Ella Encounters
The dorks of the macaque family. Both these ugly haired monkeys are endemic to Sri Lanka. The Toque Macaque unique to Sri Lanka alone (found nowhere else). If planning on finding them try the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy where they roam in surrounding grounds, climbing things and eating from bins. Monkeys like bins.
Gibbons on Thailand’s Islands: Our Rescued Gibbon Encounter
Easily my favourite of monkeys in Southeast Asia but also one of the harder to track down. Our most recent Gibbon encounter was in Railay, Krabi where we wake to patters of fruit and branches on the roof of our seaview bungalow. When we go to investigate an adult Gibbon swings down. Fanfan jumps back, lands on the laptop, broken laptop. No photos on this occasion so I will instead share Loy (video below) a baby Gibbon we meet in Ko Tao, Thailand. Loy is no longer wild having lost his parents. He was later found and adopted by local fisherman in Ko Tao. Below is a video of Fanfan rubbing Loy’s belly. Loy likes having his belly rubbed.
Grey Langurs at Dakshineswar Temple, Kolkata
We meet these Gray Langurs at Dakshineswar Kali Temple in Kolkata. Again slightly off track but I can’t help share these gangly, limbed primates. Looking odd, sitting awkward, bored, seemingly unimpressed in their surroundings. Surprisingly humanlike. They are also spoilt. Hand them a banana and they will likely throw it on the ground. Fatty on the right was particularly disgusted by the suggestion of banana eating. For a city in such poverty these monkeys are just plain rude.
Silvered Leaf Monkeys at Bukit Melawati, Malaysia
We cross paths with these Langurs along the coast of Malawati Hill in Selangor, Malaysia. What fascinates me about them is their young. Baby Silver Leaf Langurs are born a bright ginger colour before hitting puberty and turning silver like the rest.
Orangutans at Sepilok in Malaysian Borneo
You will be lucky to find Orangutans in the wild these days. For the next best thing try Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary a rehabilitation centre for baby orangutans orphaned by deforestation and other hazards. Note young orangutans can tear human limbs from the body. Bigger orangutans could likely punch through your face. Not to be trifled with.
Proboscis Monkeys near Beaufort, Borneo
The big nosed monkey. With a unique eating pattern the Proboscis monkeys are drawn to certain areas of Borneo. Areas which have Pedada trees where they stuff their faces with tasty leaves. This makes the Proboscis Monkey easy to track down. We catch a rare glimpse in Beaufort, Malaysian Borneo. Not a close encounter so I have instead stolen a photo from Wikipedia for illustration (bottom).
Where to See Wild Monkeys Responsibly in Southeast Asia
Our old encounters are part of our travel journal, not instructions to approach or provoke wildlife. The safest and most rewarding sightings are usually those where you can observe the animals behaving naturally, without food or physical interaction.
Lopburi, Thailand: Macaques in an Urban Setting
Lopburi became famous for its macaques living around temples and streets. Their distribution and local management arrangements change, so check current advice before making a special trip. Read our Lopburi monkey town story for our original encounter.
Ubud Monkey Forest, Bali: Macaques in a Sacred Forest
The official Ubud Monkey Forest guidelines say not to feed, touch or approach the macaques, to secure loose belongings and to stay calm if a monkey climbs on you. Feeding is handled by staff. This is a better way to enjoy the wildlife than encouraging monkeys to perform for tourists.
Sepilok, Borneo: Orangutans in Rehabilitation
The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre near Sandakan in Sabah provides opportunities to observe rescued orangutans in a forest setting. Sightings are never guaranteed, which is part of the point of helping animals return to natural behaviour. The centre asks visitors not to touch the orangutans.
Silvered Langurs and Proboscis Monkeys in Malaysia
Our encounters with silvered leaf monkeys in Selangor and proboscis monkeys in Sabah remain favourite memories. For modern wildlife viewing, look for reputable local guides who respect viewing distances and do not bait or handle animals. Proboscis monkeys are particularly associated with Borneo’s riverine and mangrove forests.
Are Gibbons and Orangutans Monkeys?
Technically, no. Gibbons are lesser apes and orangutans are great apes, although all belong to the primate family tree. We included them here because these were memorable primate encounters on our early travels, not because they are the same animal as macaques and langurs. The Smithsonian National Zoo explains the distinction.
What to Do If a Monkey Approaches You
Keep your distance and remain calm. Do not feed, tease, strike or chase wildlife, and do not try to snatch back an item from an aggressive monkey. Put away food, sunglasses and loose belongings. If bitten or scratched, wash the wound promptly and seek urgent medical advice about infection, rabies exposure and other treatment as appropriate to the area.
More of Our Animal and Asia Travel Stories
Continue with our Dakshineswar Kali Temple visit to meet the unappreciative langurs again, our road trip towards Sikkim, and the Sri Lanka journey that took us through the hill country.
For a broader look at the countries behind these wildlife stories, see our Southeast Asia destinations and travel experiences.
Our other Malaysian Borneo wildlife experiences include orangutans, turtles and fireflies in Sabah.
Very interesting take on monkeys. Those crab-eaters definitely look like a menace! Did you have the rabies shot before traveling to Southeast Asia?
Thanks Morgan. I have never had rabies shots before. If bitten there is plenty time to have shots after the bite. Days really. If bitten it only takes a walk to the local clinic to begin the rabies shots. The only time I would get rabies shots beforehand is in remote locations where it is hard to find hospitals clinics etc. These places don’t really exist in Southeast Asia. Here it tend to be dogs which are the bigger problem with rabies but they are often caught quick and killed by local authorities. If I was bitten (or even licked) I’d be straight to the clinic for rabies shots just to be safe. They’re not expensive here.
Thanks Morgan. I have never had rabies shots before. If bitten there is plenty time to have shots after the bite. Days really. If bitten it only takes a walk to the local clinic to begin the rabies shots. The only time I would get rabies shots beforehand is in remote locations where it is hard to find hospitals clinics etc. These places don’t really exist in Southeast Asia. Here it tend to be dogs which are the bigger problem with rabies but they are often caught quick and killed by local authorities. If I was bitten (or even licked) I’d be straight to the clinic for rabies shots just to be safe. They’re not expensive here.
Great read on Monkeys in Southeast Asia by Allan & Fanfan, with such interesting wildlife details and travel insight.