5 Days Kinabatangan Wildlife and Birdwatching

The Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary spreads across 27,000ha along the lower Kinabatangan river in Sabah. It is one of two known places in the world to be inhabited by ten species of primates, four of which are endemic to Borneo. It is also one of two places in the world where four colonies of primates inhabit the same place, namely the proboscis monkey, silvered langur, maroon langur and or grey langur. It has the highest concentration of proboscis monkeys and orangutans in Malaysia. Read our essential guide to the Kinabatangan here.

During the right season (around June) you can spot herds of Borneon pygmy elephants, a distinct and endemic species of the Asian elephant. Other common animals for spotting include crocodiles, mangrove snakes, macaques and many more.

Birdlife
Among the 200 species found in the region are 8 species of hornbill, oriental darter (wiped out in the Peninsular) , the crtically endangered Storm’s stork, Sunda ground cuckoo, stork billed kingfisher, brahminy kite, crested serpent eagle, greater coucal, red-crowned barbet, black and yellow broadbill, white-rumped shama, white-chested babbler, heron, hawk, osprey, falcon, pheasant, parakeet, buffy fish owl, frogmouth, nightjar, trogon, bee eater, roller, woodpecker, pitta, swallow, bulbul, forktail, warbler, flycatcher, flowerpecker, spiderhunter, drongo, oriole and crow.

The wildlife cruises are not to be missed as this is the best place to catch Borneo's unique wildlife from the comfort of a boat.

What do I get to do?

River cruise spotting for birds, visit the famous Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre for Orang Utans, Gomantong caves for bird's nests and Chinese temples in Sandakan.

Adventure rating and remarks

2 - Your eyes will be the most used muscle as you sit back and scout for wildlife. You should be agile enough to get in and out of boats. Some light trekking into the forests is required

Rates (in Malaysian Ringgit and per person)

Please write in to enquire

Minimum 2 paxs and maximum 6 paxs in a group,  tour  arrange depart every Monday.

Itinerary (SB/KRBW5)

DAY 1 -  SANDAKAN - GOMANTONG - SUKAU.
Meet at hotel lobby 0810am or airport MH2042(ETA 0810am),Visit the Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary to watch the feeding of orang utans and see a video presentation of their rehabilitation. Have lunch at Sepilok Nature Resort. Continue your journey overland to Gomantong Caves, the largest birds nests cave in Sabah, famous for its swiftlets and their edible nests. Stay on until around 06:00 p.m. At most at sundown,
a spectacular exodus of thousands of bats can be observed as they leave the cave in search of food. Proceed to Sukau for a short briefing on the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary,Overnight at the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge. (Lunch/Dinner)).

Day 2  - OX BOW LAKE & MENANGGUL RIVER CRUISE.
Take a second boat trip for bird watching and viewing wildlife at the Ox Bow Lake nearby. Trek(if weather permitted)the lush riverine forest along the lake and then return to the lodge for breakfast. In the afternoon, venture on another river cruise with electric motor down the Menanggul River and along the Kinabatangan River. Return to the lodge at dusk, Overnight at the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner).

Day 3 – FROM SUKAU BY BOAT/PM RIVER CRUISE/FIRE FLIES NIGHT CRUISE
Early morning trek to the trail behind the lodge.  After early breakfast,crusing down slowly in searching different kind of birds along the Kinabatangan River, the longest river in Sabah.  Check in to Abai Jungle Lodge.
After Lunch, free and relax at our nature board walk before cruising for searching other wildlife or birds. After dinner, a night cruise lead you to witness the nature of fire flies as Christmas tree. Overnight at Abai Jungle Lodge.  (Breakfast/Lunch / Dinner)

Day 04 – PITAS OXBOW LAKE /TREE PLANTING/PM RIVER CRUISE
Wake up by the calls of nature. Early morning take a river trip to the Pitas lake to observe more birds, wildlife and experience the unique of Pitas oxbow lake. After breakfast, an option to join our tree planting project with the locals and lunch with them at Abai village. This project especially to help the locals. Overnight at Abai Jungle Lodge.  (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Day 05  - EXPLORE MORE BIRDS AT NATURE BOARD WALK/BY BOAT TO SANDAKAN.
This morning, you are free to view more birds/wildlife and enjoy a cup of coffee at our nature board walk. After breakfast, take another one hour boat cruise back to Sandakan. Upon arrival at jetty, drive up hill to the Puh Jih Syh Chinese Buddhist Temple, which offers a panoramic view of the Sandakan Bay before lunch at local restaurant or hotel. Transfer to airport for your flight MH 2709 ETD1415hrs or hotel.  (Breakfast / Lunch)

Accommodation

Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge and Abai Jungle Lodge.

Abai Jungle Lodge

Kinabatangan River Lodge

What does it include?

English speaking guide, land/boat transfers based on joining basis, entrance fees, accomodation and meals as stated.

What does it exclude?

Camera/Video camera fees, airfares/taxes/insurance & beverages(alcoholic/carbornate/juice).

Best time to visit

This trip is available all year round.

Getting here

Sandakan is reachable by air via Kota Kinabalu and Kuching Airport. There are also daily flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) via Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia. We recommend to take the internal flight from KK to Sandakan to be able to reach the Sepilok Nature Resort in time for the orangutan feeding.

Joining and finishing point

This tour begins and ends in Sandakan. The other must see attractions around Sandakan are the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and a leisurely island stay at Lankayan Island Dive Resort either at the beginning or end of this tour. To visit the Sepilok Orangutans without an additional overnight stay, you must arrive in Sandakan via the first MAS flight from Kota Kinabalu (KK) to catch the 10am feeding time. Else, we recommend a one night stay at Sepilok Nature Resort.