Our birdwatching (birding) activities will always start in the morning or during the day, and the locations may be around and outside Bukit Lawang, including the Landak River, Panorama View, Batu Katak, Selang Pangeran, and even mangrove forests in our new ecotourism area. However, you can also spot birds a few minutes before sunrise at the SUMECO facility. We prioritize safety and comfort, but it is also important for those already in Bukit Lawang who want to do this activity to follow the established rules and preparations.

SUMECO (Sumatra Ecoproject) is a wildlife conservation organization based in Bukit Lawang, North Sumatra, we are committed to conducting responsible tourism activities. to support the preservation of the biodiversity of Gunung Leuser National Park.

Bukit Lawang will be the preferred destination for orangutan enthusiasts throughout their visit plan in Sumatra. However, many people are unaware that Sumatra also hosts a variety of unique and rare birds, snakes, lizards, amphibians, and plants in their natural habitat, in addition to the popular jungle trekking for orangutans.

Birdwatching Around Bukit Lawang.

Take your time to get to know the birds around Bukit Lawang better, ecologically. From a conservation perspective, Bukit Lawang’s culture may never be considered particularly compelling. Bukit Lawang, which is adjacent to the Gunung Leuser National Park, has become a village with a very high diversity of bird species.

Birdwatching in Mangrove Forests.“

Birdwatching (birding) in mangrove forests designated as our Mangrove Ecotourism area in the coastal area of Langkat, North Sumatra, will show you the direct impact on the conservation of bird diversity in the region. This new ecotourism area lies two hours from Bukit Lawang by car.

Birdwatching (Birding) and Human Psychology

Birdwatching is a powerful, natural psychological intervention that reduces stress and improves mood through informal mindfulness. Engaging with birds releases oxytocin, promotes cognitive flexibility, and creates a protective mental buffer against cognitive decline and aging. The profound connection between looking at birds and human psychology encompasses several distinct cognitive and emotional benefits:

Attention Restoration: In today’s world, digital devices constantly distract our brains. Birding is based on “soft fascination”—sights and sounds that naturally attract your attention without effort, allowing the brain’s directed-attention networks to rest and reset.

Rewiring Your Brain: Neuroscientists have discovered that expert birders literally rewire their brains, as the mental scaffolding used to identify birds is so specialized that the same brain regions used to recognize human faces light up when birders detect subtle differences in plumage or shape.

Enhanced Wellbeing and Awe: Focusing on joy or “awe” when observing wildlife reduces stress and boosts positive emotions. According to the Mindful Birding Network, viewing or hearing birds can improve mental health for up to eight hours.

Building Cognitive Reserve: Immersive, enriching activities such as birdwatching have been linked to significantly lower rates of Alzheimer’s disease. Because birding frequently involves socializing and physical activity in natural settings, it promotes healthy brain wiring and cognitive resilience as we age.