Sepilok Wildlife, Rainforest Discovery & Fireflies Cruise
Cover Sepilok’s wildlife centres, the Rainforest Discovery Centre and an evening mangrove fireflies cruise in one extended Sandakan day.
Make the most of one long Sandakan day, from Sepilok’s conservation centres to a fireflies cruise after dark.
Start with pickup from your hotel within Sandakan or Sandakan Airport and spend the morning at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. You’ll learn about two important conservation efforts while observing orangutans from the rainforest viewing area and rescued sun bears from raised forest walkways.
After lunch at Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Restaurant, continue to the Rainforest Discovery Centre for forest trails, birdwatching opportunities and the canopy walkway. Later in the afternoon, shift into a slower evening rhythm with a village walk, mangrove cruise, crab-trap activity, sunset stop, dinner and a night cruise to search for fireflies.
Tour Overview
Start: Sandakan
End: Sandakan
Duration
Departure Time
About 12 hours
8:00 AM daily
Minimum guests
Meals
2 persons per booking
Lunch and dinner included
hotel within Sandakan or Sandakan Airport
Accommodation
Not included
English-speaking guide
FROM
Why you'll love this trip
- Visit Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, one of Sabah’s best-known conservation sites, and observe orangutans from the rainforest viewing area.
- Continue to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre and watch rescued sun bears from raised walkways in open-air forest enclosures.
- Explore the Rainforest Discovery Centre, with forest trails, birdwatching potential and a canopy walkway about 28 metres above the ground.
- Ease into the evening with a simple tea break and village walk before boarding the mangrove river cruise.
- Try a crab-trap activity, stop briefly at Pamaguan Island for sunset and return for dinner.
- End the day with a night cruise to search for fireflies along the mangroves before your return transfer.
Itinerary
Day 1 • Sandakan / Sepilok / RDC / Fireflies Cruise
Begin with pickup from your hotel within Sandakan or Sandakan Airport, then drive to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Established in 1964, the centre supports orangutans that have been orphaned or displaced by logging and land clearing. From the viewing area, you may witness feeding time and photograph orangutans in a protected rainforest setting.
Continue to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, where raised walkways allow you to observe the world’s smallest bear in open-air forest enclosures. The centre promotes sun bear conservation through animal welfare, rehabilitation, education and research, giving rescued sun bears a better forest home.
After lunch at Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Restaurant, visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre. Developed by the Sabah Forestry Department, the centre introduces visitors to the wonders of Borneo’s rainforest and is also known as one of Sabah’s prime birdwatching spots. Walk the forest trails or the 150-metre canopy walkway for rainforest views from around 28 metres above the ground.
At about 4.30 pm, continue into the evening fireflies program with a simple tea break and a short village walk. From the jetty, cruise into the mangroves while your guide shares more about the river environment. You’ll also get to try setting a crab trap, which will be collected on the return journey.
Around sunset, stop briefly at Pamaguan Island before cruising back for dinner. After dinner, return to the jetty and continue by boat to search for fireflies among the mangroves. Return to the jetty at around 8.00 pm, then transfer back to your hotel within Sandakan or Sandakan Airport.
Inclusions and activities
-
Seat-in-coach transfers
Pickup and drop-off from hotel within Sandakan or Sandakan Airport, plus transfers between the listed day and evening activities.
-
English-speaking guide
Guiding is included for the conservation centres, Rainforest Discovery Centre and mangrove fireflies cruise.
-
Entrance fees and meals
Relevant entrance fees, lunch, a simple tea break and dinner are included as stated.
-
Sepilok conservation centres
Visit the orangutan and sun bear conservation centres in one morning program.
-
Rainforest Discovery Centre
Explore rainforest trails and the canopy walkway, weather and site conditions permitting.
-
Mangrove fireflies cruise
Enjoy a village walk, mangrove cruise, sunset stop, dinner and night fireflies cruise.
Before you book you should know
- Long day, big coverage: This tour combines Sepilok’s main wildlife centres, the Rainforest Discovery Centre and an evening mangrove fireflies cruise.
- Outdoor conditions: Expect warm, humid weather, viewing platforms, raised walkways, forest trails, jetty access and boat boarding.
- Natural conditions: Wildlife activity, bird sightings, sunset colour, tide levels and firefly visibility may vary on the day.
- Best for travellers short on days: This is a practical choice if you want to cover several Sandakan nature highlights in one extended day.
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.
No accommodation is included on this day and evening tour. The tour starts and ends in Sandakan, with pickup and drop-off available from hotels within Sandakan or Sandakan Airport.
If you need accommodation before or after the tour, this can be arranged separately based on your travel plans.
Camera fees
- Camera fees, if charged by the centres or sites, 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
- Sturdy shoes for walking, boardwalks, trails, canopy areas and jetty access
- Camera and binoculars if preferred, especially for birdwatching
- Comfortable light cotton casual attire with long or short pants, as humidity is high throughout
Important notes
- This is an extended day and evening tour. Please be prepared for a longer schedule, outdoor conditions and multiple stops.
- Wildlife sightings, feeding activity, bird sightings, sunset views and firefly visibility are not guaranteed and remain subject to centre operations, animal behaviour, tide and weather conditions.
- Lunch, a simple tea break and dinner are included, but beverages and special meal requests may be limited. Please advise dietary requirements at the time of booking.
- Camera fees, personal expenses, beverages, accommodation, meals not stated, airfare, tipping, porterage and items not stated in the inclusions are excluded.
- Pickup and drop-off are available from hotel within Sandakan or Sandakan Airport. Please provide your hotel name or flight details when booking.