Sandakan, Sabah is the gateway to Sabah's exotic wildlife: Sukau for wildlife, Sepilok for the endearing orangutan and Selingan for the turtles. This tour takes them all in for a very wild experience.
Conservation in action
We visit both the orangutan and turtle sanctuaries en route to Sukau. The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is situated inside a 40 sq. km permanent reserve with lush primary jungle. It is a permanent sanctuary for the orangutan (literally ‘man of the forest') that have either been orphaned, injured or confiscated. There is a feeding platform for visitors to observe these beautiful giant apes with two daily feedings before they wander back into the forest.
The Turtle Islands National Park at Selingan consists of 3 islands and the attractions here are the Green and Hawksbill turtles that come to the beaches to lay their eggs. It is possible to watch either of these turtles lay their eggs throughout the year.
Sukau - Malaysia's prime wildlife viewing area
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.
We end the tour back in Sandakan, where you get to relive some of its colourful history through a city tour.
What do I get to do?
River cruise spotting for wildlife, visit the famous Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre for Orang Utans, watch turtles come ashore to lay eggs, Sandakan city tour.
Adventure rating and remarks
1 - 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.
Cost (2008)
From RM 1,880 per person (minimum 2 pax)
Single travellers RM3750
This is a Seat-In Coach tour. Private tours are quoted separatedly.
Itinerary (SB/BB7E)
Ex-Sandakan
Day 01: Sandakan - Selingan
On arrival at Sandakan airport by MH2042 ETD 0740hrs, ETA 0810hrs, transfer to jetty for approximately 1 hour speed boat to Selingan Island (40km). Check into chalet. Free at leisure to explore island, swim and snorkel. After dinner, wait for signal from the Park Ranger before we proceed in small groups to watch Green Turtle lay eggs on the beach, transplanting of eggs to hatchery and release of baby turtles to the sea. Tourists are welcome to assist. This island is a park conservation area since 1977 and turtles have been nesting here every night throughout the year. Overnight in twin sharing room (with common bath). (Lunch / Dinner)
Day 02: Selingan – Sandakan – Sepilok
Return to Sandakan by boat. Proceed to Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre. Trek ten minutes through the rainforest on wooden plank walks to witness the feeding of the Orang-utans at 10am and video show. Continue to Sandakan jetty for boat journey to lodge along Sabah's longest river, Kinabatangan with opportunity to view birds and wildlife in virgin mangrove, wetland and rainforest habitats. Late afternoon take a river cruise using electric motor in search of some of the 10 primate species including Proboscis monkeys as they settle down on treetops along the Kinabatangan River. Return for solar heated hot shower, candle light dinner and slide show conducted by naturalist guide. Overnight at a rainforest lodge. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 03: Sukau
Wake up to the calls of gibbons and hornbills. A 6.00 am morning river cruise up the Kinabatangan River to view more birds and wildlife. Proceed to the Kelenanap ox-bow lake for a short jungle walk (if weather permits). Experience the wilderness of Borneo. You have the option to participate in our conservation project by planting trees at our 64 acres adopted land. In the afternoon, we proceed for another river cruise for more wildlife. After dinner an optional (at a surcharge) night safari cruise spotting nocturnal animals, crocodiles and birds. Overnight at a rainforest lodge. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 04: Sukau - Sandakan
After breakfast, return to Sandakan by boat journey. Lunch at Sandakan before proceed for a short tour of Sandakan town including water village, The Agnes Keith House and The Australian War Memorial. Transfer to airport for departure flight. (Breakfast / Lunch)
Accommodation
Park HQ (1 N) and a highly rated and award winning environmentally friendly rainforest eco-lodge (2N). A 20 room, multi international award winning resort. It is built on stilts for cool ventilation with a separate lounge, restaurant, open sun-deck, river jetty, an enclosed garden and two tree platforms. Hot water supplied by solar heaters. All rooms are twin bedded, with ceiling fan, mosquito netting, attached bathroom, hot shower and toilets. River tours are conducted by eco friendly boats powered by electric motors.
We think this is Malaysia's most green and environmentally friendly lodge with a vision streaks ahead of its peers. Support this!
What does it include?
Tours and transfers, accommodation and meals specified, entrance fees and English speaking guide.
What does it exclude?
Excludes airfare Kota Kinabalu/Sandakan/Kota Kinabalu @ approximately US$58 per person and other items not mentioned.
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 (www.mas.com.my) and AirAsia (www.airasia.com). 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.
Responsible Tourism practices
The Sukau Rainforest Lodge is built on stilts using different Borneo hardwood species and is completely self sufficient in water and power supply, utilising rainwater and solar energy. Electric motors are used for river safari tours to wildlife areas to minimise air and noise pollution and reduce stress to the wildlife. Every room has an attached bathroom with solar hot water shower.
Multi-award winner Sukau Rainforest Lodge was named British Airways “Tourism for Tomorrow Award 1997” for the Pacific Region, and has received runners-up for "Green Hotelier of the Year 1999" and "IH&RA Environment award 1999" by the International Hotel & Restaurant Association (IH&RA). It is a low impact Eco-Lodge with in-house “green policies” and Code of Practice. The grounds of the resort also includes two elephant 'passes' that allows a corridor for elephants to migrate.
For every international guest who stays, a donation of US$1 (RM3.80) per adult to Sukau Ecotourism Research & Development Center (SERDC) for our community and conservation projects. You may choose to continue the tree replanting program at their 64 acre site to allow the wildlife corridor to grow.
Not ignoring the community, the lodge is a strong supporter of the local people, the 'Orang Sungei' or people of the river. Hiring preferences and training is offered to the locals firstly. Boats and other services are purchased from the community.
There is also a special purpose built boardwalk leading through the back jungle. It contains a special 'elephant pass' for migrating elephants to continue moving freely. This special event occurs quarterly.