3 Days Sandakan Nature Safari

A 3 day program that picks you up from Sandakan town and brings you to visit Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center, Bornean Sunbear Conservation Center, Kinabatangan River, and Gomantong Cave. You get to experience the best of Sandakan wildlife found during the day and night with this short program.

This photo of Gomantong Cave Sandakan is courtesy of TripAdvisor

This photo of infant bat in Gomantong Cave Sandakan is courtesy of TripAdvisor

This photo of bird's nest, Gomantong Cave, Sandakan is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Nature Lodge Kinabatangan

Your accommodation will be the simple and comfortable Agamid Chalet found in Nature Lodge Kinabatangan. The lodge is located in Kampung Bilit, a small village with less than 200 residents.

The lodge is surrounded by jungle which has a rich eco-system housing a diverse wildlife and plant life that's intertwined with the people that live here. Arriving at the lodge, you will be faraway from modernity. Mobile network and data coverage is very limited. The lodge works with the community here, providing them a vital source of income, education and exposure to the outside world.

Rate (in Malaysian Ringgit and per person)

Valid until December 2017

No additional 6% GST

Join in Tour

Minimum 2 Adults

Child aged 11 years and below.

Peak Period
Surcharge of RM11 per person is applicable for the period of 1 June to 30 September

Itinerary

DAY 1 (L, D)
Pick up from any hotels within Sandakan at 0800 hrs or Sandakan Airport (MH2042 @ 0750 hrs OR AK6092 @ 0750hrs). Transfer to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center. At this world renowned center, come face to face with human’s closest relative, the Orang Utans. Orang Utans share 97% of the same DNA as humans. The Orang Utans feeding time is at 1000 hrs. While Orang Utan rehabilita­tion is still the primary goal at Sepilok, present aims include public education on conservation, research and assistance to other endangered species such as captive breeding of the rare and endangered rhinoceros.

We will then visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation centre. The sun bear is the smallest, most arboreal and least known of the bear family measuring between 120–150 cm long and between 60-78 cm high at the shoulder. Unlike other bears, the sun bear’s dark brown or black fur is short and sleek, probably due to the lowland climates it lives in.  On their chest sits a pale beige horseshoe shape marking which gives the sun bear its name being said to resemble a setting or rising sun. Similar color fur can be found around the muzzle and the eyes. Sun bears in Borneo live in the forest. In fact, they are so clever at hiding themselves in the trees that you would be extremely lucky if you see one in the wild.

Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, transfer to the Nature Lodge Kinabatangan which is located at the Lower Kinabatangan River Sanctuary. The journey will take approximately 2 hours, passing by Kota Kinabatangan town and also oil palm plantation. Catch a glimpse of the curious primates and swiflets of Gomantong Caves while on the last leg along Kampung Bilit road. Transfer from the Kampung Bilit jetty to Nature Lodge Kinabatangan, just 3 mins by boat across the river. Welcome drinks will be served upon arrival. After which, guests will be given a verbal orientation of the Lodge and the surrounding area. Proceed to check into the chalets within Agamid wing of Nature Lodge Kinabatangan. Afternoon boat cruise at 1600 hrs to search for wildlife and bird-life along the Kinabatangan river banks. Return to Lodge to freshen up and then enjoy dinner in the midst of the Kampung Bilit secondary jungle! Right after dinner, go for a guided night walks to enjoy the wilderness and watch sleeping birds and nocturnal creatures of the jungle. Overnight at the Lodge.

DAY 2(B/L/D)
Catch the beautiful sight of the misty Kinabatangan River at 0500 hrs. Join the boat cruise at 0600 hrs and see the exciting wildlife as they just awake from a night sleep. Various species of wildlife may be seen such as Proboscis Monkeys, Leaf Monkeys, Macaques, Gibbons and even the Orang Utans. Return back for breakfast at 0800 hrs. After breakfast at 0900 hrs, proceed on foot with our professional jungle guide to the Bilit Ox-Bow Lake behind the Lodge. This is the time to get an up close and personal glimpse of exquisite insects and birds life. You will also walk on the path of the newly discovered “Borneo Pygmy Elephants” (relatively, it’s the smallest elephant in the world). Return to the Lodge for lunch at 1200 hrs. Rest after lunch and another boat ride at 1600 hrs awaits you to cruise along the Kinabatangan River for more wildlife sight-seeing. Return before dinner at 1800 hrs. Dinner will be served at the Lodge. After that, there will be another guided night walk, this time using a different route. Then overnight at the Lodge.

DAY 3 (B)
Don’t be surprised to be woken up by the calls of gibbons and hornbills. At 0600 hrs, take a morning river cruise to see more birds and wildlife. Return to the lodge for breakfast at 0745 hrs. Proceed to check out and at 0915 hrs, we will transfer you to Gomantong Caves, the largest limestone hill and the most important source of edible bird nest in Sabah. Then continue your journey back to Sandakan and transfer to either your hotel or airport (MH2047 @ 1400 hrs OR AK6097 @ 1425 hrs).

*All tours are subject to weather conditions

What's included?

Return road and boat transfer, Meals as stated, Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre visit & entrance fee, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & entrance fee, Gomantong Cave visit & entrance fee, accommodation, English speaking guide, River cruise, guided night nature walk, guided trekking to Ox-Bow Lake, free flow of coffee & tea

What's excluded?

Insurance, flights, items not mentioned

What to wear / bring?

Personal gear, insect repellent, raincoat, hat, binocular, torchlight and sunscreen. Use good walking shoes and comfortable cotton T-shirt, long sleeve shirt and long or short pant. Don’t forget to bring your camera.

Getting Here

Sandakan is located on the coastal east of Sabah State, about 330km from Kota Kinabalu. It is reachable by overland transport (Approximately 6 hours), or by flight (eg. MAS and Airasia airlines)