4 Days 3 Nights Sepilok & River Adventure
Begin in Sepilok with two of Sandakan’s best-known wildlife experiences: Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre.
After lunch and check-in at Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort, continue to Rainforest Discovery Centre for the canopy walkway before spending the night in Sepilok. The next day, travel via Gomantong Caves to Bilit and settle into Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort beside the Kinabatangan River.
Over the following days, join morning and late-afternoon river cruises, walk within the resort area and return to Sandakan after a final morning cruise.
Tour Overview
Start: Sandakan
End: Sandakan
Duration
Departure Time
4 days, 3 nights
8:00 AM daily
Minimum guests
Meals
2 persons per booking
Half board
hotel within Sandakan or Sandakan Airport
Accommodation
Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort and Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort
English-speaking guide
FROM
Why you'll love this trip
- Visit Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre before continuing deeper into Sabah’s rainforest corridor.
- Walk the Rainforest Discovery Centre canopy walkway and visit Gomantong Caves, known for limestone chambers, bats, swiftlets and bird nest history.
- Stay at both Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort and Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort, giving the itinerary a balanced Sepilok and Kinabatangan pace.
- Join multiple Kinabatangan River cruises at different times of day for better chances to see proboscis monkeys, macaques, hornbills, orangutans, pygmy elephants and other wildlife.
- Include a jungle trek within the Bilit resort area for a closer look at the rainforest environment.
- Keep logistics simple with hotel within Sandakan or Sandakan Airport pickup, English-speaking guide, accommodation, transfers and stated meals arranged for you.
Itinerary
Day 1 • Sepilok / Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort
Begin with pickup from your hotel within Sandakan or Sandakan Airport at around 8.00 am. Travel to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre to observe the orangutan feeding platform and nursery area, then continue to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre.
After lunch, check in at Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort. In the afternoon, visit Rainforest Discovery Centre and walk the canopy walkway for a different view of the rainforest.
Return to Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort for your overnight stay.
Day 2 • Gomantong Cave / Bilit / Kinabatangan River
After breakfast, depart Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort at about 9.00 am for Gomantong Caves. Explore the limestone cave system, known for bird nest harvesting, bats and swiftlets, with your guide.
Continue to Bilit and Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort. On arrival, enjoy a welcome refreshment and safety briefing, then have lunch and check in.
At around 4.00 pm, join your first Kinabatangan River cruise in search of proboscis monkeys, macaques, hornbills, orangutans, pygmy elephants and other wildlife. Return to the resort for dinner and overnight.
Day 3 • Bilit / Kinabatangan River
Wake early for a morning Kinabatangan River cruise, when the cooler hours are rewarding for wildlife and birdlife along the riverbank.
Return to the resort for breakfast. After breakfast, continue with a jungle trek within the resort area for a closer look at the rainforest environment, then return for lunch.
In the late afternoon, board another river cruise before dinner and a second overnight stay at Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort.
Day 4 • Kinabatangan River / Sandakan
Rise early for one final morning cruise along the Kinabatangan River, giving you another chance to observe wildlife and birdlife from the water.
Return to the resort for breakfast, then check out and begin the journey back to Sandakan. Your tour ends with drop-off at your hotel within Sandakan or Sandakan Airport.
Inclusions and activities
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Sandakan pickup and transfers
Pickup from hotel within Sandakan or Sandakan Airport, Sepilok visits, overland transfer to Bilit and return transfer to Sandakan are included.
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English-speaking guide
An English-speaking guide assists with the listed visits, resort briefing, cave stop, river cruises and rainforest activities.
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Accommodation and stated meals
Stay 1 night at Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort and 2 nights at Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort, with meals as stated in the itinerary.
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Sepilok wildlife centres
Visit Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre on the first day.
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RDC canopy and Gomantong Caves
Walk the Rainforest Discovery Centre canopy walkway and continue the next day to Gomantong Caves.
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Kinabatangan cruises and trek
Join morning and late-afternoon river cruises plus a jungle trek within the Bilit resort area.
Before you book you should know
- Wildlife and nature focused: This itinerary combines Sepilok wildlife centres, Rainforest Discovery Centre, Gomantong Caves and Kinabatangan River cruises.
- Outdoor travel: Expect warm, humid conditions, boat boarding, cave walkways, canopy sections and uneven resort paths.
- Natural conditions: Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but multiple river cruises give more chances than a short visit.
- Resort-based pace: The route includes one night in Sepilok and two nights by the Kinabatangan River, with time between activities to rest.
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 twin-share accommodation at Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort for one night and Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort for two nights.
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.
Both properties are nature-focused resorts, so expect humid rainforest conditions, outdoor walkways and natural sounds around the accommodation areas.
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
- Sandals or sturdy shoes suitable for walking, cave areas and light trekking
- Camera, binoculars and reading material if preferred
- Personal items and comfortable light cotton casual attire with long or short pants
Important notes
- Wildlife sightings on the Kinabatangan River are natural and cannot be guaranteed. Sightings depend on animal movement, weather, river level and timing.
- Sepilok, Rainforest Discovery Centre, Gomantong Caves, river cruises and jungle trekking may be adjusted by the guide for safety, weather, operating hours or local conditions.
- Accommodation is based on twin-share rooms at Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort and Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort. Please advise bedding requests at the time of booking.
- The package meal plan is listed as half board, with selected lunches included where stated in the itinerary. 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 flight details when booking so pickup and drop-off can be arranged correctly.