1 Night Nature Tour with River Cruise
Visit Sepilok’s orangutan and sun bear centres, cruise the Kinabatangan River from Bilit, then overnight at Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort.
Combine Sepilok wildlife encounters with a Kinabatangan River cruise in one well-paced day.
Start with pickup from your hotel within Sandakan or Sandakan Airport before visiting Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. After lunch and check-in at Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort, continue overland to Bilit by the Kinabatangan River.
At around 4.00 pm, board a river cruise and look for proboscis monkeys, orangutans, macaques, pygmy elephants, birds and other wildlife along the riverbank. After an early dinner at the lodge, return to Sandakan for drop-off and overnight at Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort.
Tour Overview
Start: Sandakan
End: Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort
Duration
Departure Time
1 day, 1 night
8:00 AM daily
Minimum guests
Meals
2 persons per booking
Lunch and dinner included
hotel within Sandakan or Sandakan Airport
Accommodation
Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort
English-speaking guide
FROM
RM700
Why you'll love this trip
- Visit Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre for one of Sabah’s signature orangutan experiences.
- Continue to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre to learn about the world’s smallest bear in a forest setting.
- Travel to Bilit for a 4.00 pm Kinabatangan River cruise, a rewarding time to watch the riverbanks for wildlife.
- Look for proboscis monkeys, orangutans, macaques, pygmy elephants, birds and other wildlife from the boat.
- Keep the day simple with hotel within Sandakan or Sandakan Airport pickup, lunch, dinner, guiding and transfers arranged.
- End the tour with drop-off and overnight at Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort.
Itinerary
Day 1 • Sepilok / Kinabatangan River / Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort
Begin with 8.00 am pickup from your hotel within Sandakan or meet your guide at Sandakan Airport. Travel to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, then continue to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre for a second wildlife stop in the Sepilok area.
Lunch is included before check-in at Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort. After lunch, continue overland to Bilit on the Kinabatangan River. At around 4.00 pm, board a river cruise and look for proboscis monkeys, orangutans, macaques, pygmy elephants, birds and other wildlife along the riverbanks.
After the cruise, enjoy an early dinner at the lodge before returning to Sandakan. The tour ends with drop-off and overnight at Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort.
Day 2 / Check-out: After the overnight stay, check out from Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort and continue with your own onward arrangements. Meals included for this package are lunch and dinner only.
Inclusions and activities
-
Sandakan pickup and transfers
Pickup from hotel within Sandakan or Sandakan Airport, overland travel to Sepilok and Bilit, then return transfer to Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort.
-
English-speaking guide
Guiding is included for the Sepilok visits, transfers and Kinabatangan River cruise arrangements.
-
Lunch and dinner
Lunch is included before the afternoon transfer, with early dinner after the Kinabatangan River cruise.
-
Sepilok wildlife centres
Visit Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre in the morning.
-
Kinabatangan river cruise
Cruise from Bilit at around 4.00 pm in search of proboscis monkeys, orangutans, macaques, pygmy elephants, birds and other wildlife.
-
Resort overnight
End with drop-off and overnight accommodation at Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort.
Before you book you should know
- Full active day: The itinerary combines Sepilok wildlife centres, road transfers, a Kinabatangan River cruise and evening return travel.
- Nature focused: Orangutans, sun bears and river wildlife are the focus, but sightings and animal activity are never guaranteed.
- Road and boat travel: Expect warm, humid conditions, vehicle transfers, boat boarding and changing river or weather conditions.
- Resort overnight: The included overnight stay is at Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort after returning from the Kinabatangan area.
Malaysia entry requirements depend on your passport, nationality and travel history. Please check the latest visa and entry rules before booking your flights.
Travellers are responsible for holding valid passports, visas, onward travel documents and any arrival requirements set by Malaysian authorities or airlines.
If you are unsure, contact your nearest Malaysian embassy, consulate or airline before travelling.
This tour includes one night at Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort.
Rooms are arranged based on availability and booking configuration. Please advise bedding preferences at the time of booking, especially if you require twin or double bedding.
The resort is set in the Sepilok area near Sandakan, making it a convenient overnight base after the river cruise.
Camera fees
- Camera fees, if charged by any site or authority, are not included and should be paid directly on site.
- Fees and photography rules may change without prior notice.
What to bring
- Sunscreen lotion, insect repellent, cap or hat, raincoat or poncho
- Comfortable walking shoes or sandals suitable for humid conditions
- Camera, binoculars and personal medication if required
- Light cotton casual attire with long or short pants
Important notes
- Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed and depend on animal behaviour, weather, seasonality and river conditions.
- The river cruise route or timing may be adjusted by the guide for safety, river level, weather or local operating conditions.
- Accommodation is based on one night at Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort. Please advise bedding requests at the time of booking.
- Meals are included as stated only: lunch and dinner. Beverages, special meal requests and extra snacks may not be included.
- Camera fees, personal expenses, beverages, airfare, tipping, porterage and items not stated in the inclusions are excluded.
- Please provide your hotel within Sandakan name or arrival flight details when booking so pickup can be arranged correctly.