Best of Borneo Wildlife: Orangutan, Turtle & Kinabatangan

See the incredible wildlife that this country has to offer on our compact multi-day Borneo adventure holidays package! In the diverse region of Sabah, the wildlife attractions of the Kinabatangan River and Sandakan include wild orangutan, proboscis monkeys, loris, pygmy elephant, and much more.

Day 1: Sepilok Orangutan / Rainforest Discovery Centre

We’ll start our incredible Borneo Wildlife Tour by meeting at either the Sandakan Airport or with a pick up at your respective hotel. We’ll then transfer to Sepilok Jungle Resort (SJR) before taking a 5-minute leisurely walk to the nearby Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Upon arrival, your guide will provide a short safety/informational briefing session before entering. You will then watch a short video documentary providing you with information on the rehabilitation of an orphaned orangutan. Enjoy and explore as you get to encounter Bornean-endemic orangutans up close as they frolic in their natural habitat. After Sepilok, proceed to Sun Bear Conservation Center to see the world’s smallest bear in its natural environment. Lunch will be served en route to SJR. In the afternoon, make a second visit to the sanctuary for the afternoon feeding. After Sepilok, continue to Rainforest Discovery Centre situated within the famous Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve for a chance to do the canopy walk for a great view of the surrounding jungle at treetop level. Dinner & stay overnight at SJR.

Sepilok Jungle Resort (L/D)

Day 2: Turtle Island

After breakfast, we’ll then transfer to CQ Jetty for our Selingan Turtle Island tour. This journey by motorised boat will take about 1 hour. After lunch, grab your mask, fins and snorkel and head to the beach where you can find lots of juvenile marine life (snorkelling gear is available to hire by the resort). Or, you can choose to relax or sunbathe by the beach. Before dinner, treat yourself to a slideshow featuring information of the turtle park and turtles. After dinner, standby and wait for Park Ranger’s signal before proceeding in a small group to the egg-laying site to witness the mother turtle laying eggs, transferring of the eggs to the hatchery and releasing hatchlings to the sea (note: Photographing of turtles only with cameras without flash). Stay overnight at Selingan Island Chalet.

Selingan Island Chalet (B/L/D)

Day 3: Sandakan Nature City / Bat Cave / Kinabatangan River

After breakfast, depart the island by 0700 hrs and return to the mainland. On the way to the Kinabatangan River, we pass through Sandakan City and pay a quick visit to the city center, including Sandakan Memorial Park, Agnes Keith Museum, the English Tea House and Puu Jih Shih Buddhist Temple – which has a magnificent view overlooking Sandakan Bay. Then we’ll continue to one of the oldest churches in Sabah, St. Michael’s Church, before driving to the Central Market where you can see the local produce and fresh seafood being sold. After lunch in the city, we continue overland to Gomantong Cave to explore the largest limestone and bird nests cave in Sabah where millions of swiftlets make the cave their home. If you’re lucky, you may get to witness the birds’ nest harvesting in action! After visiting the cave, wait at the cave entrance to witness the bat hawks feeding on the millions of bats that merge out from the cave in search of food. We’ll then transfer to Bilit Adventure Lodge for dinner and an overnight stay. Optional night walk can be arranged @ RM10.00 / pax/hour and payable locally.

Bilit Adventure Lodge, or equivalent (B/L/D)

Day 4: Kinabatangan River

The Kinabatangan River is one of only two known places on earth where 10 primate species can be found including our red-haired cousins the orangutan, probosci’s monkeys, Tarsiers, Slow Loris, gibbons, and also sightings of the endemic Bornean Pygmy Elephant. The best way to enjoy the river and her wild inhabitants are by jumping on a boat during the early hours of dusk and dawn. Wake up early at 0530 hrs to depart for an early morning river cruise to discover wildlife along the misty Kinabatangan River. After an hour of boat cruise and encountering wildlife, it’s time to refuel and recharge with a hearty breakfast. In the late morning, depart for a guided nature jungle walk to experience the riverine forest. Trek back to lodge and freshen up for a well-deserved lunch. In the afternoon, depart for a second-afternoon river cruise for more wildlife adventure. Dinner & overnight stay at Bilit Adventure Lodge.

Bilit Adventure Lodge, or equivalent (B/L/D)

Day 5: Kinabatangan River/Sandakan

After breakfast, depart Bilit by 0830hrs and return to Sandakan. Transfer to Sandakan airport/hotel. (B)

• Reservation required 3 days in advance
• Age restriction: All participants must be aged 7 and over
• Pick up at either the airport or your hotel/hostel
• We recommend guests bring your own refillable water bottles and avoid using one-off plastic water bottles.
• During our tours, we recycle wherever possible, and try to keep our waste as low as possible. We discourage the use of plastic bags, and suggest that you bring your own dry bag or small waterproof backpack.
• Check out OUR RESPONSIBLE TOURISM COMMITMENT.(opens in a new tab)