Kinabatangan River and Sepilok Wildlife Safari – Borneo Rainforest Adventure Tour

Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Borneo Nature Lodge

Your adventure begins with a warm meet and greet with your guide at the hotel or airport, then begin with a short drive to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, a world-renowned sanctuary dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned and injured orangutans. Nestled within primary lowland rainforest, Sepilok is one of the best places to witness these gentle forest dwellers up close. Walk along the forest boardwalk to the feeding platform, where you can observe orangutans returning from the wild for their supplemental feeding session. Afterwards, enjoy a 25-minute documentary that offers deeper insight into the center’s conservation efforts.

Next, continue your journey with a scenic 2.5-hour drive through rustic countryside dotted with traditional villages. Upon reaching the jetty, board a short boat transfer to Borneo Nature Lodge, your retreat on the banks of the Kinabatangan River. After a brief orientation, enjoy lunch and check into your room. Spend some time relaxing by the river before your late-afternoon adventure.

At 4:00 PM, embark on a river cruise along the mighty Kinabatangan River, Sabah’s longest waterway and a wildlife haven. As your boat glides quietly through the rainforest, look out for an incredible array of wildlife—birds, reptiles, and primates, including the endemic Proboscis Monkey, often seen gathering on treetops as the day cools. The Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary is considered one of the finest places in Southeast Asia for wildlife viewing, and your first river safari sets the tone for an unforgettable experience.

Overnight stay

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Borneo Nature Lodge

Wake up to the symphony of birds, insects, and wildlife echoing through the rainforest. At 6:00 AM, set off on a tranquil morning river cruise along the Kinabatangan, continuing onward to the serene Kelenanap Ox-Bow Lake. This peaceful backwater is an excellent spot for birdwatching, with opportunities to see hornbills, kingfishers, eagles, and a variety of other species. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the riverbanks—monitor lizards, macaques, and even pygmy elephants are sometimes spotted in the early hours.

If the weather permits, enjoy a short jungle walk, allowing you to immerse yourself in the raw wilderness of Borneo and appreciate the intricate details of its flora and fauna. Return to the lodge for a well-earned breakfast.

The rest of the morning and afternoon are free at leisure—you may explore the surrounding area, visit a nearby village, photograph the river landscapes, or simply relax and soak in the peaceful atmosphere.

In the late afternoon, embark on another river cruise, a perfect time to witness the rainforest come alive as nocturnal creatures begin to stir. Look out for proboscis monkeys returning to roost, crocodiles basking along the edges, and a variety of birdlife settling in for the evening. The shifting light over the river makes for stunning photographic moments.

Overnight stay

Optional night activities—including a Night Cruise, Night Walk, or Tree Planting—can be arranged directly at the lodge for a small fee, depending on the weather.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Depart early in the morning for a visit to the Gomantong Caves, renowned for their edible bird’s nests and extraordinary cave ecosystem. A short 15-minute walk along a wooden boardwalk brings you to the entrance of Simud Hitam, the Black Cave. Explore the cavern along the boardwalk as you observe its dramatic limestone formations, nesting swiftlets, and the fascinating interplay of cave-dwelling creatures.

After your visit, return to Sandakan and stop for a delicious local lunch at a nearby restaurant.

Post lunch, continue with a Sandakan city tour, exploring its cultural and historical highlights. Begin at the Central Market, bustling with vendors offering an impressive range of fresh seafood, local delicacies, and agricultural produce. Proceed to the Sim-Sim Water Village, where traditional wooden houses stand gracefully over the water—an excellent place to observe local life and admire sweeping views of the coastline.

Next, visit the beautiful Puh Jih Syh Buddhist Temple, perched on the hilltop of Tanah Merah. From here, enjoy a stunning panoramic view of Sandakan Bay. Continue to the Agnes Keith House, the former residence where the famous books Land Below the Wind and White Man Returns were written. Now a heritage museum, the house offers fascinating insights into life during the era of British North Borneo.

After the tour, you will be dropped off at your hotel or transferred to the airport for your onward journey.

Note: Agnes Keith's House entrance fee not included & Sandakan War Memorial is upon request.