Sepilok, Sun Bear and Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary | 1 Day | Sabah, Malaysia

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Sun Bear Centre and Labuk Bay Sanctuary Day Tour, Sabah, Malaysia

If you want to get close to the amazing wildlife of Sabah, Borneo then Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre and Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, all accessible from a visit to Sandakan, Sabah are places you must visit.

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is the most famous place in Sabah to see the critically endangered Bornean Orangutan. Watch a morning feeding session at this world famous Orangutan rehabilitation centre. At the neighbouring Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre you will be able to observe Sun Bears undergoing rehabilitation. The Sun Bear is the smallest, most arboreal and least known of the bear family measuring between 120–150 cm long and between 60-78 cm high at the shoulder.

The Proboscis Monkey – often referred to as ‘the Dutchman of Borneo’ – are only found in Borneo. So this really is a unique opportunity to see this special ape, the Proboscis Monkey, up close. At the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary you have the chance to share in this special world by viewing the groups of Proboscis Monkey from a special platform as they feed and interact.

Wildlife Encounters Up Close in Sabah, Borneo – Visiting Sepilok Orangutan Centre and Labuk Bay Sanctuary

During the feeding session at Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary you will see some of the Proboscis Monkey groups – three family groups and a bachelor group – as they come to visit during the daily afternoon feeding session. Once the fruit is put on the feeding platforms the action really begins! The large alpha male leads his group on to the feeding platform. Watch mothers eat while their baby’s cling to them, juveniles frolic about and play together and see the odd bit of natural territorial behaviour. If you are lucky you will get to see Leaf Monkeys, Macaques and a range of native wildlife to Sabah, Borneo including Hornbills.

If you have two or more days free, and wildlife spotting is an important part of your holiday, then you might find a 2D1N or 3D2N Kinabatangan River Trip better meets your needs. These trips already include a visit to Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary and you can add on a visit to the Bornean Sun Bear Centre and Labuk Bay Sanctuary to these trips.

Trip Itinerary – Sepilok, Sun Bear and Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary Day Tour, Sabah, Malaysia

07:20hrs – 08:45hrs: You will be collected from your hotel in Sandakan, or Sandakan Airport (your flight will need to arrive at Sandakan Airport by 08:00hrs latest) or from a Lodge near Sepilok. You will then be transferred by minibus to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre (a ~ forty minutes drive from Sandakan).

10:00hrs: You will arrive at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. After registration, follow a guided boardwalk that will lead you to the Feeding Platform, a chance for you to explore the lowland rainforest trees. Witness the feeding of Orangutans, watch the scheduled video programme about the Orangutan (25mins) at the Nature Education Centre and pay a visit to the Exhibition Hall. You’ll also visit the Orangutan nursery area at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre where you can watch the young Orangutans at play.

~11:30hrs: After the feeding session at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre you will visit the neighbouring Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre to learn about conservation efforts for the world’s smallest bear, the Borneo Sun Bear.

12:30hrs – go for lunch at a nearby cafe.

I can’t wait, take me for a Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary & Sepilok Sanctuary Day Tour, Sabah, Malaysia

~13:15hrs: After lunch transfer to the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary to watch the 14:30hrs afternoon feeding session. The journey is 30 – 45 minutes by road. The sanctuary is located at the centre of a mangrove forest along the coastal land near Samawang Village at Labuk Bay, Sandakan. If you are lucky, you will also have a chance to see Silver Leaf Monkeys, Pig tailed Macaques, Oriental Pied Hornbills, Otters, White-bellied Woodpeckers and Kingfishers too.

~15:30hrs: Depart Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary and head into Sandakan to visit two of it’s most famous locations – Puh Jih Sih Temple and Sim Sim water village. Puh Jih Sit Temple is located on hilltop above Tanah Merah and offers amazing views across Sandakan Bay. The ornate Buddhist Temple is visited by devotees from around the world. Kampung Buli Sim Sim is a water village on stilts on the coast of Sandakan reached by plank always and provides an insight into the lives of the local fisherman. The water village is also the site of the original town which began in 1879.

18:30hrs: Transfer to a Sandakan hotel for a buffet dinner with a selection of Malaysian dishes before being transferred back to your respective hotel or to Sandakan Airport (it is recommending you catch a flight departing from Sandakan Airport from 21:00hrs or later).

Trip Pre-requisites – Sepilok, Sun Bear and Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary Day Tour, Sabah, Malaysia

Minimum 2 person booking the trip (single supplement is applicable).

Trip Inclusions – Sepilok, Sun Bear and Labuk Bay Sanctuary Tour

• Return transfer from Sandakan Airport/hotel within Sandakan.
• Entrance fees: to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre and Labuk Bay Sanctuary
• Visits to: Sepilok Orangutan Rehbilitation Centre, Borneo Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, Puh Jih Sih Temple and Sim Sim water village.
• Meals: lunch, dinner.
• Guiding by an English speaking licensed Nature Guide.
• 0% Sales & Service Tax on the tour price as applicable from 6th May 2019.

Trip Exclusions

Camera/Video conservation fee at Sepilok Orangutan Rehablitation Centre (RM10 per item), Sun Bear Conservation Centre (RM10 per item) and Labuk Bay Sanctuary (RM10 per item).

Recommended Packing List For The Trip

Raincoat, cap/hat, insect repellent, sun cream, good walking shoes, socks, comfortable cotton T-shirt with long or short pant, binocular, camera and personal medications (if needed).

Notes – Sepilok, Sun Bear and Labuk Bay Sanctuary Day Tour, Sabah, Malaysia

The Sepilok, Sun Bear and Labuk Bay Sanctuary trip price is valid for trips taken until 31st December 2023. It is possible to catch a flight departing from Sandakan Airport from 8pm (before 9pm) if you have packed dinner on the transfer to the Airport.