Malaysia · KINABATANGAN WILDLIFE SAFARIS
The Kinabatangan is a narrow brown river with a great deal living on both banks, and dawn and dusk are the whole point. These 12 compare the lodges, the number of river cruises included and the transfers from Sandakan, with prices per night.
Spend eight hours with guides such as Timmy and Eddie exploring Kota Kinabalu’s Floating Mosque, Cocoa Kingdom, and Bongawan’s mangroves. Look for proboscis monkeys and macaques, watch the Sky Mirror sunset, then cruise after dark among fireflies. Tea, dinner, and round-trip transport are included.
“The sun didn't cooperate, but everything else was good.”
Spend an afternoon and evening at Bongawan Wetland, with hotel pickup, a 45-minute wildlife cruise, local tea and buffet dinner, sunset at the beach, and a night cruise for fireflies. Guides such as Timmy, Eddie, and James add wildlife facts and friendly help. Bring insect repellent and motion-sickness medicine.
“This was great fun. The van picked us up bang on time and the tour guides were lively, amusing and knowledgeable. We saw a big group of proboscis monkeys, and had a close interaction with the long tailed macaques. The dinner was a delicious home cooked meal. The beach was a pleasant stop (even without a pristine sunset) and the fireflies were a nice ending. Overall great value for money, would recommend.”
Leave Kota Kinabalu for Bongawan, where a guide such as James, Nick, or Bird may help you spot proboscis monkeys, photograph the sunset at Sky Mirror Beach, and watch fireflies from a boat. Snacks, drinks, dinner, hotel transfers, and beach photos are included. Expect a long afternoon and evening.
“Fabulous trip and despite being the only westerner in a bunch of Koreans it wasn't lonely. The guide Nick Teo made me feel included and the beach pics were great despite the bad weather. The gangster monkeys in the boat were fun and we got to see the fireflies, tge trees looking like Xmas. Food was fine too”
Travel from Sandakan or Sepilok to remote Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp for two nights of river cruises, walks, and wildlife watching. Guides such as Jai and Jay help spot orangutans, proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, hornbills, civets, and more. Expect basic rooms, limited power, no internet, and genuine jungle quiet.
“What an amazing trip! An Orangutan swung through the trees straight over our camp. Saw 4/5 of the Borneo Big 5, incredible experience and unforgettable memories! Cannot recommend this enough. Jay our guide was great along with everyone else working there.”
Travel from Kota Kinabalu to Bongawan for a river cruise among proboscis monkeys and macaques, sunset at SkyMirror beach, and fireflies after dark. Guides such as Timmy, Eddie, Simon, and Zai add local stories, photo help, and easygoing humor. Dinner, transport, and entry fees are included.
“It's a nice arranged trip. We experienced the nature, learned about a bit history about Sabah, and saw the most fabulous sunset on the beach! Big thanks to our guide Timmy, he is professional, friendly and funny. He made conversation with each of the guest, and made sure everyone had a good time. I highly recommend this trip to everyone, if you like nature, and sunset!”
Start with hotel or airport pickup at 8am, then visit Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, and the Rainforest Discovery Centre. A private car or minivan, English-speaking guide, admission fees, and local lunch are included. Guide quality can vary, so confirm your arrangements.
“Great day. Our guide new to explain everything about the jungle and local wildlife and we were lucky to see many different animals on our trip. Lucky with the weather as well. Overall, we couldn’t have asked for a better way to experience sandakan since we only stayed for one day”
Leave Kota Kinabalu at 1:30 pm for Weston and the Kawa Kawa river wetlands. A guide such as Terence leads the wildlife search, sunset cruise, snacks, dinner, and firefly viewing before your shared ride returns you to the city.
“I found the tour to be average. Did not see proposcis monkeys. You would think the tour operators of the river cruise would know where the proposcis monkeys usually stay. It was a waste just driving up and down the river. The sunset was beautiful. The fireflies were amazing.”
Set out from Sandakan at noon in a shared, climate-controlled vehicle, then cruise the Kinabatangan River with an in-house guide. Look for proboscis monkeys, macaques, crocodiles, birds, and possibly elephants before a local dinner and return transfer. Guides such as Angus and Chris have earned praise for friendly service.
“2 hour car ride from sandakan. Driver was very nice. Took a tiny fisherman style boat out in the river. Saw elephants and monkeys. Had a traditional dinner at a local restaurant in the way back. Awesome time! Wear a hat, sunscreen and a long sleeve sn shirt if you have one. Bring water too! It’s hot out there!”
Start at 8:00 am with hotel or airport pickup, then visit Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, the Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Labuk Bay, Puu Jih Shih Temple, and Sandakan Market. A local lunch, entrance fees, and air-conditioned transport are included. Guides have included Adil and Paul.
“Excellent overview of what Sandakan has to offer. Great guide and driver. Eight hours well spent with plenty of variety.”
Travel privately from Sandakan Airport to Sepilok, then continue to the Kinabatangan River for a wildlife cruise and rustic lodge stay. Your driver-guide handles the road journey, meals, and sightseeing, with time for orangutans, a baby crocodile possibility, and Sandakan landmarks.
“Amazing trip. Our driver ahmed waa amazing nothing was too much trouble. We loved it all. We packed so much in to this trip. Wonderful.”
Start before dawn, then visit Sepilok’s orangutan feeding platform, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center, and Labuk Bay’s proboscis monkeys. Your English-speaking guide handles ground transport and lunch. Flights from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan and back are separate, so check flight times carefully.
“The 3 experiences were all unique, allowing for close viewing of the animals in a safe environment. Our guide, Yan, is one of the best guides we have had anywhere in the world. Her enthusiasm for her job shows in the way she researches to giRead more”
Start with orangutan feeding at Sepilok, then visit Labuk Bay for proboscis monkeys, the Sun Bear Conservation Centre, and RDC forest trails. Guides such as Faisal, Hadi, and Jackie are praised for smart timing and spotting birds and wildlife. Pickup and lunch are included.
“There are so many orangutans! My cell phone camera’s zoom didn’t take great pictures, but the in-person views were great. Bring water because it is hot! No bags are allowed to be carried because the orangutans may try to steal your stuff!”
Pick a cave, a river or a hawker street.
