Sabah’s laid-back charms (7D6N)
Kinabatangan River, Orangutans and Lankayan Island
Itinerary: Sabah's laid back charms
Duration: 7Days / 6Nights
Day 1; Kinabatangan Wetland Resort (L/D)
Pick up from the Airport in Sandakan (by the Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort Team). Transfer to Sandakan jetty for boat transfer to Abai, which is situated at the lower Kinabatangan River. The 1.5hours cruise shall bypass Berhala Island, the prominent sandstone cliff, which is a historical site during the World War II. The journey also offers likelihood to observe wildlife along the way. This is where the mangrove forest of the coast merges into the more familiar riverine forest of the Kinabatangan River. It is also here where the intrepid American couple, Martin and Osa Johnson, first documented the wildlife and people of the river in the 1920s. Abai borders one of the most important wildlife refuges, the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary.
2.30pm Check-in at the Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort, a newly established resort nestled in the pristine mangrove and fresh water forest, secluded at the edge of the RAMSAR (Wetlands of International Importance) site. Have Lunch while you are briefed about the lodge and the activities.
4.00pm – Set off for the afternoon river cruise in search of the mangrove specials, river sceneries, village landscapes and more wildlife. On good weather, we may even get to see firefly colonies, which are found at certain parts of the river. Cruise back to KWR for dinner.
8.30pm – After dinner, take a walk along the boardwalks with your headlamps or torch and look for nocturnal wildlife. Overnight at Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort
Some highlights of bird species in Abai :
Scarlet Minivet, Lesser and Greater Leafbird, Storm Stork, Oriental Darter, Mangrove Blue- flycatcher, Stork Billed and Blue Eared Kingfisher. Buffy Fish-owl, Night Heron, Yellow Bittern, Ruddy Kingfisher, Helmeted hornbill, Pied hornbill, Rhinoceros hornbill, among others.
Day 2; Kinabatangan Wetland Resort (B/L/D)
6.30am – Early morning river cruise to observe more wildlife and birdlife. The cruise will lead to the nearby ox-bow lake, Danau Pitas, to explore the area. Enjoy your packed breakfast while admiring the natural surroundings.
9.00am – Proceed to the local fishing village, Kampung Abai. Interact with the local Orang Sungai (River People) and observe the daily activities in this tiny fishing village. Return to the lodge for rest and lunch.
2.00pm – Explore the surroundings of the resort on your own for in search of plants, insects and birds. Otherwise you can take this time to relax in the tranquility of the lovely resort.
4.30pm – Set off for another adventure as we cruise in search for more wildlife along small tributaries.
8.30pm – After dinner, we set off for a night river cruise along small tributary rivers in search of nocturnal wildlife.
9.30pm – Return to the lodge and fall asleep to the sounds of the forest
Day 3; Sepilok Forest Edge (B/L)
10.00am - After breakfast, checkout from KWR and board the boat for a two hours boot drive back to Sandakan. Land transfer to Sepilok.
1:30pm: Proceed to visit the adjacent Bornean Sunbear Conservtion Centre on your own. The Center is to reach in about 15min by walking from the Sepilok Forest Edge Resort. The center opened its doors to the public recently and offers great opportunity to observe and photograph the world’s smallest and least talked about bear species, the Malayan Sunbear, in a natural enclosure.
3:00pm – You proceed to the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre on your own. Here, rehabilitated Orang Utans are being fed with supplement food twice daily on a platform in the jungle. Sepilok is a good place for close-up shots of these endangered ‘Man of the forest’ – the Orang Utan, in its natural habitat.
Kinabatangan Wetland Resort Package includes:
- 2 nights accommodation at Kinabatangan Wetland Resort
- Meals as stated
- Activities as stated
- 1 night walk,
- 4 river cruise on the Kinabatangan River
- Land and boat transfers as stated
- Nature Guide
- Tourism Tax
Sepilok Forest Edge includes:
- 1 night at Standard Chalet
- Meals as stated
- Tourist tax
NOT included
- Entry to the Sun bear and Orangutan Sanctuaries
Day 4; Lankayan (B,L,D)
8.30am You order a Taxi and land transfer to from Sepilok to the PSR Jetty (next to Sandakan Town POST office). The boat to Lankayan departs at 10.00am. Check in at your Chalet at 1.00pm.
Day 5; Lankayan (B,L,D)
Enjoy the day
Day 6; Lankayan (B,L,D)
Enjoy the day
Day 7; (B)
7.00am Boat transfer back to Sandakan and transfer to the Airport for ongoing travels.
Lankayan Resort includes:
- 3 nights at 1 Chalet (Non-Diver Package)
- Meals as stated in itinerary
- Land and boat transfers as stated in itinerary
Not included.
- Transfer from Sepilok Forest Edge to the PSR Jetty.
- Tourist tax
Please read our Terms and Conditions
End of Service
