Sabah Wildlife Express: Sepilok Orangutans & Kinabatangan River | 4 Nights and 5 Days Malaysia Package

4 Nights and 5 Days

Sandakan - 1NKinabatangan River (Sukau) - 2NKota Kinabalu - 1N

Transfer Included
Stay Included
Meals Included
Sightseeing Included

Overview

A short, high-yield Borneo wildlife trip built around the two places in Sabah where sightings are most reliable. At Sepilok you watch rehabilitated Bornean orangutans at the morning feeding platform and meet rescued sun bears at the adjoining Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. From there the route moves to the lower Kinabatangan, Sabah's longest river, where dawn and dusk boat cruises pass proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaques, oriental pied and rhinoceros hornbills, crocodiles, and, with luck, Bornean pygmy elephants that move along the floodplain in herds.

Stays are in a riverside jungle lodge with fan or air-conditioned chalets, plus a night in Kota Kinabalu for the flight home. Best months are February to April and July to September, when rainfall drops and river levels suit cruising. Daytime temperature stays around 28 to 32 degrees. Suitable for first-time Borneo travellers, photographers and families with children above eight.

Itinerary

Day1

Arrive Sandakan & Sepilok Orangutan Afternoon Feeding

Arrive at Sandakan airport and transfer 40 minutes to Sepilok. Attend the 3 pm feeding session at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where semi-wild orangutans come to the platform, then walk across to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre to see the world's smallest bear species from raised viewing decks. If time allows, climb the 28-metre tower at the Rainforest Discovery Centre for canopy views over lowland dipterocarp forest. Check in to your Sandakan hotel and have dinner at the seafront.

Day2

Transfer to Kinabatangan & First River Cruise

After breakfast drive around two and a half hours through oil palm country to Sukau on the lower Kinabatangan. Check in to your riverside lodge and take lunch. The late-afternoon boat cruise heads into quieter tributaries such as the Menanggul, prime habitat for proboscis monkeys settling into riverside trees for the night, plus silvered langurs, macaques and hornbills returning to roost. After dinner join a guided night walk on the lodge boardwalk to look for kingfishers, civets, tree frogs and stick insects.

Day3

Dawn and Dusk Cruises on the Kinabatangan

Set out at first light when the river mist is still lifting and wildlife activity is at its peak. Mornings are the best time for Bornean pygmy elephants along the banks, storm's storks, crocodiles and eight species of hornbill. Return for breakfast and rest through the hot middle of the day. Optional visit to the Gomantong Caves, a swiftlet nest cave with a large bat population. A second cruise goes out before sunset, followed by dinner and stargazing from the lodge jetty.

Day4

Morning Cruise, Drive to Kota Kinabalu

One final dawn cruise, then breakfast and check out. Drive west across Sabah to Kota Kinabalu, about six hours with stops, or take the short flight from Sandakan if upgraded. On arrival check in and spend the evening at the Filipino Market and the waterfront, where the sunset over the South China Sea is the city's signature view. Indian and halal restaurants are easily available around Gaya Street for dinner.

Day5

Kota Kinabalu Departure

After breakfast, visit the Sabah Museum or shop for tribal crafts and Sabah tea at Gaya Street before checking out. Transfer to Kota Kinabalu International Airport for your onward flight. Travellers with a late flight can add a half-day trip to Manukan Island in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park for snorkelling over reef fish and clownfish, subject to availability.

Inclusions

4 nights accommodation: 1 night Sandakan hotel, 2 nights Kinabatangan jungle lodge, 1 night Kota Kinabalu hotel
Daily breakfast, plus all meals at the Kinabatangan lodge (4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners)
Airport transfers and all land transfers in air-conditioned vehicle
Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre visits
Rainforest Discovery Centre canopy walkway
Four Kinabatangan River boat cruises (dawn and dusk)
Guided night jungle walk at Sukau
English-speaking naturalist guide throughout the Kinabatangan section
All applicable taxes

Exclusions

International and domestic flights (Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur)
Malaysia eNTRI/visa fees and travel insurance
Camera and video permit fees at wildlife centres
Meals not specified, drinks, laundry
Optional Gomantong Caves entry and Turtle Islands add-on
Tips to guides, boatmen and drivers
Anything not listed under inclusions