Highlights
- Search for orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and pygmy elephants
- Take multiple river cruises in wildlife-rich areas
- Overnight in jungle lodges
- Enjoy nighttime jungle walks in search of nocturnal animals
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Sepilok | Sepilok |
| Day 2 | Sepilok to Kinabatangan | Kinabatangan |
| Day 3 | Kinabatangan | Kinabatangan |
| Day 4 | Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Borneo
Lace up your hiking boots, strap on your camera, and get ready for a full day of exploration at Sepilok-Kabili Forest Reserve. Stop by the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre for a morning feeding, then visit the Sunbear Center next door before stopping for a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch, check into your Sepilok hotel and relax before heading back to the Rainforest Discovery Center mid-afternoon. Here you'll find an excellent canopy walkway, perfect for bird- and wildlife-watching and a network of on-the-ground trails. At sundown, head back to the hotel for dinner.
Day 2: Sepilok to Kinabatangan
After a leisurely morning in Sepilok, board a van bound for the Sandakan Yacht Club Jetty, where a boat will take you to a lodge in Abai, Kinabatangan. The scenic 1.5-hour ride will take you across Sandakan Bay, past historic Berhala Island, and within sight of traditional fishing villages. When you arrive at the lodge, check in and enjoy lunch and a welcome briefing about the lodge, activities, and surroundings.
After a couple of hours of leisure time, a cup of coffee and some local banana fritters await as you board a small boat for a cruise along the Kinabatangan River in search of wildlife. Admire the stunning river landscape as the sun sets and watch for fireflies as evening falls and you cruise back to the resort for dinner. After dinner, if you're feeling adventurous, a series of raised boardwalks wind through the nearby jungle. Bring your flashlights and keep an eye out for nocturnal wildlife.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 3: Kinabatangan
Rouse yourself early on your third day to join a morning river cruise to Pitas Oxbow Lake, where a packed lunch and a rich diversity of wildlife await. From here, visit an Abai village for a glimpse of true village life on the river before returning to the lodge to spend the rest of your morning exploring the jungle boardwalks.
In the late afternoon, another cruise is the perfect opportunity to check more wildlife off your to-see list. Keep your eyes peeled for Wallace’s hawk-eagle, orangutan, proboscis monkey, pygmy elephant, and Sumatran rhino - they're all commonly spotted here. Watch another sunset on the water, then circle back to the lodge for dinner.
Day 4: Depart
After breakfast, check out of the lodge and wave farewell to the river as you return to Sandakan by boat. The ride is another great opportunity for spotting wildlife, so keep your eyes on the shores. Once in Sandakan, it's time to make your way home (or to your next destination).