Bali: Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

1/5/2018

Grey-haired, long-tail, macaque. Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

A photo diary packed with images of my visit and information regarding the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud, Bali.

Monkeys - monkeys, everywhere!

FEATURED IN THIS POST

• Background Information •
• Feeding Time at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary (Video) •
• Mother & Infant macaques • Older Infant Macaques (video) •
• Balinese Hindu Temples • Cheeky Monkey ThieveS •
• Tips to avoid a monkey bite •
• Admission Times & Prices • Location details •

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, also known as, Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana in Balinese, is located along the southern edge of Ubud town centre, on the Indonesian island of Bali. Set upon 27 acres (10.9 hectares) of land and featuring a bountiful forest with approximately 115 tree species, the Sanctuary is home to a massive troop of grey-haired, long-tail, macaques, and is one of Bali's staple tourism destinations, frequently attracting over 10,000 visitors per month.

FEEDING TIME AT THE SACRED MONKEY FOREST SANCTUARY

Arriving at 4 pm, just before feeding time, I was able to capture the feast of bananas, rambutans and papayas provided by park employees, plus the ensuing monkey business that followed. I spent the next couple of hours walking around taking hundreds of photos, holding hands with, and having my handbag almost stolen the macaques (see 'Cheeky Monkey Thieves' below).

Grey-haired, long-tail, macaques. Dinner time (Rambutan's and Papaya) at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

VIDEO - Feeding time at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.

Grey-haired, long-tail, macaque. Dinner time (Bananas) at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

A baby Grey-haired, long-tail, macaque. Dinner time (Papaya) at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

A baby Grey-haired, long-tail, macaque. Dinner time (Bananas) at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

MOTHER & INFANT MACAQUES

Babies sticking close by their mum.

Grey-haired, long-tail, macaques. Mother feeding baby. Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

A baby Grey-haired, long-tail, macaque holding on to its mother. Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

OLDER INFANT MACAQUES

Just like human toddlers, the antics these little monkeys get up to while learning are very comical and adorable.

A baby grey-haired, long-tail, macaque climbing a tree. Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

The baby monkey featured in the video below.

VIDEO - A baby monkey attempting to climb a tree (and failing) at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

BALINESE HINDU TEMPLES

In addition to the abundance of monkeys, there are also three 14th century Hindu temples, used strictly for prayer and rituals, located within the boundaries of the Monkey Forest.

The Main Temple, Pura Dalem Agung (Great Temple of Death), is utilised for worship the god, Hyang Widhi, personifying Shiva, the Transformer or Recycler.

The second is Pura Beji, or the, Beji Temple (Holy Spring Temple/ Village Temple) and is for the purification ritual of Melukat, a spiritual and physical cleansing conducted before the ceremony, Piodalan, which is a celebration of the creation of a sacred place or thing. A majority of Balinese Hindus complete this ceremony each year to show they are thankful for any blessings they may have received, while also praying for future happiness. This temple is for worship to the God, Hyang Widhi, in personification with the goddess, Gangga.
The third temple is Pura Prajapati (Cremation Temple), a place where Hindus worship the God, Hyang Widhi, in the personification of Prajapati. The temple is adjacent to a cemetery (pictured below) which is temporarily used by local Padangtegal villagers as a place for people to bury their loved ones while waiting for the day of mass cremation, Ngaben, which takes place every five years.

The burial ground adjacent to Pura Prajapati (the Cremation Temple).

A cremation ceremony performed by local Padangtegal villagers.

A macaque monkey sitting at the burial ground adjacent to Pura Prajapati (the Cremation Temple). Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

Sitting back to watch the ceremony.

A monkey roaming through the headstones.

Monkey spectators interested in the funeral pyre burning at the rear of the cemetery.

CHEEKY MONKEY THIEVES

Hold on to your belongings at the sanctuary. These monkeys have no fear of humans and seem to have developed a keen ability to act charming before attempting to rob you blind.

Holding hands.

Walking through the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.

A young Grey-haired, long-tail, macaque, successfully undoing my skirt and trying to run off with it. Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

Cheeky monkey undoing my skirt and trying to run off with it.

A young Grey-haired, long-tail, macaque, trying to steal my handbag. Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

Battle for my bag. Natalie 1, Monkey 0.

TIPS TO AVOID A MONKEY BITE

It is all fun and games at the Scared Monkey Forest Sancturary, but if a rare event occurs and you find yourself facing an angry primate, use these tips to alleviate the situation.

Beware of any hostility. Simple actions such as blinking, exaggerated yawns or smiling can be warning signs. If a monkey shows you its teeth, this is usually a sign of aggression.
Never look an angry monkey in the eyes, especially adult males.
Do not use flash photography - This really should be a given, I am shocked to see that so many tourists still use flash when taking close up images of animals.
Nine times out of ten, a monkey will only jump on you when in search for food. If a hostile monkey does this, throw any food you may have for the monkey, if you have no food on you, cup your hands (touching pinky finger to pinky finger) and show the monkey your bare hands.
Beware when taking selfies: Some monkeys may confuse their reflection for a strange and unfamiliar monkey.
Don't run away when dealing with an aggressive monkey. It is best to back away slowly with your body facing the primate. Do not look this monkey in the eyes.

In the case you are unfortunately bitten, treat the wound immediately and seek medical advice straight away. Like humans, monkeys can be carriers of a number infections and diseases, so a trip to the local doctor or hospital is a must in this situation.

ADMISSION TIMES & PRICES

Open Daily: 8:30 AM - 6 PM
Ticket Booth: 8.30 AM - 5:30 PM
Admission Fee: Adult 50,000 IDR / Child 40,000 IDR

LOCATION

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.
Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.
Address: Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia.
Phone: +62361971304

Visiting the Monkey Forest is one of my most treasured travel moments. Spending the afternoon surrounded by the macaques that inhabit Ubud's Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary was high on my bucket-list and a highlight of my trip to Bali. I hope you enjoyed the photos in this post as much as I enjoyed taking them.