4 Days Sepilok, Abai & Sukau
This four-day wildlife adventure offers an immersive journey into Borneo’s rich rainforest ecosystems, exploring Sepilok and the Kinabatangan River. Starting in Sandakan, travel into lush jungle landscapes and visit renowned wildlife conservation areas. Continue by boat along mangrove-lined waterways, with night walks revealing nocturnal wildlife and glowing fireflies. Venture deeper into the Kinabatangan region to Sukau, where river cruises offer encounters with orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and pygmy elephants.
Day-to-Day Itinerary
Get stuck straight into this four-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.
After breakfast, we then drive 30 minutes to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre to observe man’s closest relative, the orangutan, being rehabilitated to its natural habitat. Here at 10 am, we feed the orangutans and take a walk in Borneo’s tropical lowland dipterocarp forest. We continue to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre which aims to release rescued sun bears into the enclosed forest. Next, we transfer to Sandakan Jetty for scheduled boat which departs at 1200hrs, a 60-minute boat cruise, leaving at midday through the mangroves in the Kinabatangan River Sanctuary, to reach Abai Jungle Lodge.
In the afternoon, we enjoy another boat cruise to spot more wildlife and after sunset we watch the fireflies light up like a Christmas tree. In the evening, we search for birds, snakes, insects and other wildlife with our guide on a night jungle trek. Lunch and dinner are at the lodge.
Overnight at Abai Jungle Lodge.
The early bird catches the worm and waking early is rewarded with the sights and sounds of nature springing to life at dawn. We then embark on an early-morning river cruise to Pitas Lake to spot the plethora of wildlife that call the picturesque body of water home.
We then head to Abai Jungle Platform for breakfast, surrounded by nature. We then hit the water again for a scenic boat cruise to Sukau Village at 10 am.
Upon arrival, we then lunch and check-in at the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge at about 12 pm, before setting off on a cruise at 4.30 pm along Menanggul River, a small tributary of the Kinabatangan in search of wild orangutans, rare proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants. At 7.30 pm, we return to the lodge for dinner.
Overnight at Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge.
Make the most of your last morning and rise ahead of dawn to watch the world spring to life. We can then enjoy a hearty breakfast surrounded by nature before we have to bid a fond farewell to our hospitable hosts and trade in the wild for civilisation.
After breakfast depart for the 7.30 am scheduled boat to Sandakan. Upon arrival, continue transfer for lunch before dropping off at Sandakan Airport for our onward flight (recommended flight depart after 1400hrs), or the transfer to the hotel.
Route
- 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, camera (optional) 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 operate 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;
- Accommodation at MY Nature Resort, Abai Jungle Lodge and Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge based on twin/triple share, except 1 Pax rate based on single room;
- Return boat trip to/from Turtle Island or boat to/from Sukau/Abai are based on sharing basis;
- 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 by local communities using delicious locally- sourced ingredients;
- Stay eco-friendly – Stay overnight at a lodge that immerses you in local nature in an environmentally-sensitive way;
- Experience meaningfully – Your visit to the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre raises valuable funds for the conservation of the primates under their care.
