Malaysia · SANDAKAN TOURS

Top 15 Sandakan Tours

26 tours  ·  from $60

This is the shortlist you would text a friend: 15 sandakan tours that repay the money, each with a price, a traveller verdict and the one thing worth knowing before you commit.

Borneo Wildlife Tour 3 Days 2 Nights At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan - Day one: the camp, the river, and the first wildlife search
3-Day Experiences, Kinabatangan Wildlife Safaris, Kinabatangan Wildlife Safaris in Sandakan, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wildlife

Borneo Wildlife Tour 3 Days 2 Nights At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan

1.Borneo Wildlife Tour 3 Days 2 Nights At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 100 reviews · from $270Our pick

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.”

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Private Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour - Lunch, walking, and the day’s pace
Full-Day, Kinabatangan Wildlife Safaris, Kinabatangan Wildlife Safaris in Sandakan, Orangutan Tours, Orangutan Tours in Sandakan, Private, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Private Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour

2.Private Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 54 reviews · from $125

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”

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Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan - Leaving Sandakan at noon
Cruises & Boat Tours, Kinabatangan Wildlife Safaris, Kinabatangan Wildlife Safaris in Sandakan, River Cruises, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews

Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan

3.Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 28 reviews · from $89

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!”

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Mangrove Cruise with Fireflies Tour Including Dinner from Sandakan - Walking through the village and trying the crab trap
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Kuala Selangor Firefly Tours, Mangrove Tours, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Mangrove Cruise with Fireflies Tour Including Dinner from Sandakan

4.Mangrove Cruise with Fireflies Tour Including Dinner from Sandakan

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 25 reviews · from $64

You’ll leave Sandakan around 4:30 pm with an English-speaking driver-guide for tea at a local B&B, village games, a short walk, crab-trap activity, sunset near Pamaguan Island, and a mangrove cruise for fireflies. A buffet dinner and return hotel transport are included.

“Cruising down the river in the dark was quite amazing. Not many fireflies out and we did not spend time with the village kids or throw pots so that was a bit disappointing. The food was plentiful and delicious, even the doughnuts at the start! As there was no sunset due to weather the island was superfluous so this should be reconsidered if it rains.”

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Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch - Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, about two hours
City Tours, Kinabatangan Wildlife Safaris, Kinabatangan Wildlife Safaris in Sandakan, Lunch Experiences, Orangutan Tours, Orangutan Tours in Sandakan, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch

5.Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 25 reviews · from $151

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.”

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Sandakan: 3D2N The Wild Heart of Borneo River Secrets - The road from Sandakan to the river
3-Day Experiences, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews

Sandakan: 3D2N The Wild Heart of Borneo River Secrets

6.3D2N The Wild Heart of Borneo River Secrets

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 24 reviews · 3 days · from $316

Spend three days and two nights along Sabah’s Kinabatangan River with guides such as Harry and Ryan. Four river cruises, a weather-dependent jungle walk, full listed meals, and small groups of up to 13 give you repeated chances to spot orangutans, elephants, monkeys, hornbills, crocodiles, and more.

“Absolutely brilliant, I can't praise this place high enough. The staff were really friendly, the guides knew there stuff and the best places. We had a deluxe room which was really nice and the food was tasty, much better than I expected tbh. Unfortunately we didn't get to see the Orangutans, it rained which hampered that, but we seem the elephants swimming, monkeys, crocs ect. Well worth the money and a trip to remember. Thank you very much.”

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2D1N Sandakan Private Tour with Kinabatangan River Cruise - One night at a rustic lodge
2-Day Experiences, Cruises & Boat Tours, Kinabatangan Wildlife Safaris, Kinabatangan Wildlife Safaris in Sandakan, Private, River Cruises, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

2D1N Sandakan Private Tour with Kinabatangan River Cruise

7.2D1N Sandakan Private Tour with Kinabatangan River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 23 reviews · from $290

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.”

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Borneo Wildlife Tour 2 Days 1 Night At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan - The afternoon cruise at 4:30pm
2-Day Experiences, Evening Experiences, Kinabatangan Wildlife Safaris, Kinabatangan Wildlife Safaris in Sandakan, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wildlife

Borneo Wildlife Tour 2 Days 1 Night At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan

8.Borneo Wildlife Tour 2 Days 1 Night At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · from $230Top rated

You’ll leave Sandakan or Sepilok at noon, reach Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp by road and boat, then take afternoon, night, and morning wildlife outings. Expect local meals, a small group of no more than 10, basic rooms, limited generator power, and strong chances of seeing monkeys, crocodiles, birds, and rainforest life.

“This was truly a raw experience in the jungle and exactly why we chose this tour. The camp was only reachable by 2 boat rides and a jungle trek though a bit of mud (600m). No cars. No electricity except from 6 to 10 pm. No TV. No Aircon. But Read more”

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Day Trip Sepilok Orang Utan & Proboscis Monkey (Flight Excluded) - Sepilok and the orangutan feeding platform
1-Day Tours, Kinabatangan Wildlife Safaris, Kinabatangan Wildlife Safaris in Sandakan, Orangutan Tours, Orangutan Tours in Sandakan, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews

Day Trip Sepilok Orang Utan & Proboscis Monkey (Flight Excluded)

9.Day Trip Sepilok Orang Utan & Proboscis Monkey (Flight Excluded)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 19 reviews · from $176

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”

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Full Day Orang Utan Sepilok, Proboscis Monkey, Sunbear, RDC - Labuk Bay at 11:30 am: the odd charm of proboscis monkeys
Full-Day, Kinabatangan Wildlife Safaris, Kinabatangan Wildlife Safaris in Sandakan, Orangutan Tours, Orangutan Tours in Sandakan, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews

Full Day Orang Utan Sepilok, Proboscis Monkey, Sunbear, RDC

10.Full Day Orang Utan Sepilok, Proboscis Monkey, Sunbear, RDC

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · from $210

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!”

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Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip - Reaching the Kinabatangan riverside lodge
1-Day Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Kinabatangan Wildlife Safaris, Kinabatangan Wildlife Safaris in Sandakan, River Cruises, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews

Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip

11.Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 13 reviews · from $90

Leave Sandakan after lunch for a shared ride to the Kinabatangan River. An English-speaking coordinator leads an evening cruise through the Sukau-Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, where you may spot proboscis monkeys, orangutans, macaques, birds, crocodiles, or pygmy elephants before dinner and the ride home.

“We did the day trip and it was a truly bad day out. We were picked up at 11:45 and did not arrive until 3pm. When we arrived the staff did not give a lot of guidance and weren't communicative with the guests. We sat around until 4pm for the cruise, which was 2 hours long, aRead more”

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Sandakan: Sukau Rainforest Wildlife Journey & Dawn Cruises - Arriving at the riverfront lodge
Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife

Sandakan: Sukau Rainforest Wildlife Journey & Dawn Cruises

12.Sukau Rainforest Wildlife Journey & Dawn Cruises

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 11 reviews · 510 minutes - 3 days · from $107

Travel from Sandakan or Sepilok to the Kinabatangan River for sunset and sunrise cruises, rainforest wildlife searches, meals, and optional overnight stays. English and Malay speaking guides lead small groups of up to 12, with chances to spot proboscis monkeys, hornbills, crocodiles, orangutans, and elephants.

“after being told to be on time we waited 2 times for over half an hour each time for late people. Then we waited for other late people several times. The 2 1/2 hour ride took 4 1/2 hours. We were rushed to get a snack and onto the boat. The good was the lady at the restaurant gave us dinner to go. The return driver was super and even brought us to our hotel. The riverboat ride was great”

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Private Tour: Half Day Sandakan City Tour Including Local Lunch - The Australian War Memorial and Sandakan’s painful wartime past
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Private Tour: Half Day Sandakan City Tour Including Local Lunch

13.Private Tour: Half Day Sandakan City Tour Including Local Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · from $60Best value

Spend four hours with a private guide exploring Sandakan’s Australian War Memorial, Central Market, Sim-Sim Water Village, Puh Jih Shi Temple, and Agnes Keith House. Hotel or airport pickup, air-conditioned transport, and Malaysian lunch are included. Guides may be Sita or Siti, with flexible routing available.

“Tourist guide/driver speaks good English and friendly. Told us a lot of the history about the places of interest. The car is very clean & comfortable.”

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Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orang Utan Rehab Centre Tour - Why the orangutan visit is worth your time
Kinabatangan Wildlife Safaris, Kinabatangan Wildlife Safaris in Sandakan, Orangutan Tours, Orangutan Tours in Sandakan, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orang Utan Rehab Centre Tour

14.Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orang Utan Rehab Centre Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 10 reviews · from $112

Spend a full day near Sepilok with an English-speaking guide, visiting the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. You’ll see a feeding platform, watch a short orangutan film, and walk boardwalks beside rescued bears. Hotel transfers and admission are included.

“Viator tours was one hour late, and didn’t answer our calls or texts. From pickup until we was back at the hotel took two and a half hours. We paid 347 dollars for 4 persons. From Sandakan you can take a taxi, pay for the entrance and then it Read more”

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Sandakan: 2 Days 1 Night Bilit, Kinabatangan River Wildlife - What the river cruises are really like
2-Day Experiences, Evening Experiences, Kinabatangan Wildlife Safaris, Kinabatangan Wildlife Safaris in Sandakan, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife

Sandakan: 2 Days 1 Night Bilit, Kinabatangan River Wildlife

15.2 Days 1 Night Bilit, Kinabatangan River Wildlife

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 8 reviews · 2 days · from $381

Travel from Sandakan to Bilit for sunset and sunrise Kinabatangan River cruises, a simple one-night lodge stay, meals, and guided rainforest activities. English and Malay guides, including guide Leo on some departures, help spot pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, and birds.

“Thank you for your review! We’re glad you enjoyed seeing the elephants and hope the experience left you with wonderful memories. We look forward to welcoming you again soon.”

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New in Sandakan Tours

★ 5.0Sepilok Orang Utan, Sun Bear & Sandakan Nature City Tour + LunchFrom $2983 reviews
★ 4.03D2N Sukau Wildlife ExperienceFrom $8974 reviews
★ 5.0Sepilok Orangutan & Sun Bear Half-Day Tour | SandakanFrom $1693 reviews
★ 4.1Gomantong Cave Echoes & Kinabatangan River SafariFrom $1783 reviews
★ 4.37 Unmissable Local Stops Private TourFrom $733 reviews

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