3 Days Turtle Island & Sepilok
This three-day wildlife adventure in Sabah combines rainforest exploration with island conservation. Beginning in Sandakan, travel to the lush Sepilok area to explore tropical forest surroundings. Continue to Selingan Island to witness turtle nesting and learn about conservation efforts within the national park. Visit renowned wildlife centres before returning to Sandakan, with opportunities to encounter orangutans, sun bears, and proboscis monkeys along the way.
Day-to-Day Itinerary
Get stuck straight into this three-day wildlife adventure. We meet at the Sandakan Airport and head to the Sepilok Area. After check-in at MY Nature Resort, we have free time to explore the lush tropical forest that surrounds the resort.
At 6 pm, we head to the flying squirrel platform to watch these graceful animals glide through the treetops. We will then return to the resort for dinner.
Overnight at MY Nature Resort.
Today we are going to watch turtles in their natural habitat at Turtle Island. At 9.00 am, we meet at the hotel lobby and head to the jetty to board a boat for a one-hour cruise to the island which departs at 10.15 am, also known as Pulau Selingan. Forming part of Sabah National Park, Selingan is dedicated to green and hawksbill turtle conservation.
Upon arrival, we register at the park’s headquarters and check-in to our chalet ahead of a leisurely lunch. We then have the afternoon at our leisure.
After dinner, we set off on a night-time adventure turtle watching. Please note: Before dinner, ensure you have what you need for the evening, such as cameras and jackets. No lights or flashes are allowed. The chalets are 500 metres from the beach and there are no porters, meaning we carry have to carry our luggage from the boat to the chalet. There are luggage rooms at the jetty for your convenience.
Overnight at Selingan Island Chalet.
Marvel at Borneo’s famed orangutans on this exceptional nature-based tour. At 7 am, we cruise to Sandakan jetty, where we enjoy breakfast before hitting the road for the world’s largest orangutan rehabilitation sanctuary in Sepilok. Here, we can watch these incredible creatures being fed, before viewing the pioneering work being carried out to safeguard rescued sun bears.
We then visiting Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, the perfect place to spot this indigenous primate. We will arrive ahead of their 2.30 pm feeding time. From the resort, we hit the road for Sandakan Airport to catch our onward flight. This ends our three-day walk on the wild that has seen us spend the night on Turtle Island and see incredible green and hawksbill turtles in their natural habitat; watch graceful flying squirrels in action; watch orangutans in their natural habitat; spot an array of wildlife during river cruises and enjoy a hike through Borneo’s pristine rain forest in search of its residents.
Route
- Sabah Park only allow camera of unaided flash to take photograph of the turtles. Video / Digital Video Cameras are not allowed;
- Sabah Park forbid visitors from going around the island on their own from 6 pm to 6 am;
- Effective from 01st September 2017 onwards, a Tourism Tax of MYR10.00 per room per night will be levied directly to the non-Malaysian guests at the Hotel upon check-out;
- Child Policy;
- If booking is for 1 adult + 1 child, the child will be calculated as adult. Meaning the booking will be charged same as 2 adult travelling;
- If booking is for 2 adult + the child/children, there will be 50% less from adult package rate for child from 2 to 4 years old and 20% less from adult package rate for child from 5 to 11 years old;
- FOC for child below 2 years (without meals/mattress/entrance fee/permit).
- We will do all possible to comply with any dietary requirements during this tour; it may not always be possible to confirm your wishes in advance based on the choice of local restaurant;
- We reserve the right to make necessary changes to the tour in case of unfavourable weather conditions or situations where we are forced to make alterations to guarantee the safety of our guests;
- Guests traveling over and during local holidays may experience longer waiting times than normal, may see certain sites being closed down, and this program may be subject to supplementary charges;
- Natural elements of any kind have a destructive effect on electronic equipment. It the customer’s own responsibility to ensure that any camera, mobile telephone or other device is properly wrapped and protected against these elements. We cannot be held responsible in any way for negligence and/or not following suggestions for any damage related to this;
- Tours and excursions often include obstacles of various kinds that may not make this excursion suitable for wheelchair users or guests with limited mobility;
- The protection of the country’s flora, fauna and its historical and cultural treasures is of immense importance for us. We will not pursue any activities that are not in line with our animal, wildlife and environment protection principles;
- Please ensure that you bring sunglasses, a hat /cap, insect repellent, torchlight, raincoat, binoculars, good walking shoes and sunblock with a high SPF factor when traveling with us. Even when it is cloudy, the sun still has an immense power;
- All mentioned times, durations and stops are based on approximations and may change due to unforeseen circumstances, weather and traffic conditions beyond our control;
- Seat-in-coach tours are operated daily with English-speaking guide.
- Tours and transfers with licenced English-speaking guiding services / assistance. Other languages are on request and are subject to availability;
- Transportation for tour and transfers by air-conditioned vehicle, unless otherwise stated;
- Return boat trip to/from Turtle Island or boat to / from Sukau / Abai are based on sharing basis;
- Accommodation at MY Nature Resort based on twin/triple share, except 1 Pax rate based on single room and rooms at Selingan are strictly based on twin share;
- All entrance fees for visits as mentioned in the programme;
- All meals as indicated in the programme (food only);
- All applicable taxes and service charges.
- 50% midnight surcharge for transfer pick between 2300hrs to 0700hrs;
- Personal expenses such as other meals, drinks, tips and gratuities, shopping, portage fees and optional tours/ visits, unless otherwise stated;
- Hotel accommodation in the destination of commencement;
- Any domestic / international airline tickets, airport taxes, visa fees, specific camera / video fees, additional transportation cost from and to the general pick-up / drop-off regions (such as airports, out-of-town resorts, ports, harbours and accommodation in surrounding towns);
- Any accommodation expenses of a personal nature. This includes (compulsory festive) meals and drinks, mini-bar consumption, laundry, room service, any telephone or other communication cost not mentioned in the programme;
- International travel and medical insurance coverage for customers;
- Voluntary carbon emission compensation: USD 1.50 per person per day.
This is one of our Sustainable Trails, an excursion that maximises positive impacts on local communities and minimises negative impacts on the environment in the following ways:
- Eat locally – Meals are cooked using delicious locally-sourced ingredients;
- Transport alternatively – Vehicles are only used for short transfers;
- Experience meaningfully – The tour includes visits to turtle and primate conservation areas at Labuk Bay guided by a local ranger who provides in-depth information about the animals;
- Make a difference – Your visits to the conservation areas raise valuable funds for the species under their care.
