Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary – Join a Wildlife Safari (Tanini Kinabatangan Nature), Sabah, Borneo
The Kinabatangan River, a winding gem in Malaysian Borneo, stretches over 560 kilometres through lush rainforests, making it one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. 🌿 As you embark on a river cruise, the symphony of jungle sounds envelops you, creating an enchanting backdrop for your adventure. Please keep your eyes peeled for the playful proboscis monkeys, known for their distinctive, comical noses, as they swing gracefully through the treetops. 🐒 These charming creatures often gather in large groups, providing a delightful spectacle.
Orangutans, the gentle giants of the forest, can often be spotted lounging in the branches, their striking orange fur contrasting beautifully with the greenery. 🦧 Further along the riverbanks, the elusive Bornean pygmy elephants may emerge, grazing peacefully and showcasing their endearing behaviour. 🐘 Bird enthusiasts will be captivated by the colourful hornbills soaring overhead, their unique calls adding to the vibrant atmosphere. 🦅
With its rich tapestry of flora and fauna, the Kinabatangan River offers an exhilarating experience for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Each moment spent in this pristine environment deepens your connection to the natural world, promising unforgettable encounters with some of the planet’s most extraordinary wildlife. 🌏✨
Join a Range of Wildlife Encounter Activities during the 4D3N Tanini Kinabatangan Safari.
The Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus), native to the lush rainforests of Borneo, is one of humanity’s closest relatives, sharing 97% of our DNA. With reddish-brown fur and long, muscular arms, they can weigh up to 100 kg and stand around 1.5 metres tall, with a remarkable arm span that reaches up to 2 metres. They are arboreal creatures, spending the majority of their lives high in the forest canopy, using their long arms to swing effortlessly between trees. Their diet consists largely of fruits, particularly figs, but they also eat leaves, bark, and insects.
Bornean orangutans are known for their intelligence, often using tools such as sticks to extract honey or termites. However, these incredible creatures face severe threats from deforestation, illegal hunting, and habitat loss due to palm oil plantations. Over the past 60 years, their population has dropped by more than 50%, with only an estimated 104,000 individuals remaining in the wild today.
The Bornean Pygmy Elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) is the smallest subspecies of Asian elephant, native to the tropical rainforests of Borneo. Standing around 2.5 metres tall, they are noticeably smaller than their mainland counterparts, giving them a more endearing, juvenile appearance. With rounder faces, larger ears, and longer tails, they are often described as more “gentle” in appearance.
These elephants primarily inhabit the lowland forests and river valleys of Sabah, Malaysia, and parts of Kalimantan, Indonesia. Their diet consists of grasses, fruits, and bark, and they can consume up to 150 kg of vegetation per day.
Unfortunately, Bornean pygmy elephants are critically endangered, with only around 1,500 individuals left in the wild. Habitat destruction due to logging and palm oil plantations, as well as human-wildlife conflicts, pose significant threats to their survival. Conservation efforts are crucial to ensure their future in the wild.
If you want even more from your Kinabatangan Wildlife Safari, why not add an overnight stay at Turtle Island to watch a Turtle nesting and turn this trip into a 4D3N Turtle Island & Kinabatangan River Cruise Trip—a great combination for seeing Turtles and wildlife in Sabah, Borneo?
Cruising the Kinabatangan River Safari with the experts
Trip Itinerary – 4D3N Tanini Kinabatangan Wildlife Trip (Formaly Kinabatangan Nature Lodge), Sabah, Malaysia
Day 1 (Meals: L & D)
Airport pick-up: Flight arrival before 08:30
08:15 – 08:30 Pick-up from accommodation in Sandakan area
08:50 – 09:00 Pick-up from accommodation in Sepilok area
Transfer to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. At this world renowned center, come face to face with human’s closest relative, the Orang Utans. Orang Utans share 97% of the same DNA as humans. The Orang Utans feeding time is at 1000 hrs. While Orang Utan rehabilitation is still the primary goal at Sepilok, present aims include public education on conservation, research and assistance to other endangered species such as captive breeding of the rare and endangered rhinoceros.
After that, continue the trip by visiting the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. 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. Unlike other bears, the sun bear’s dark brown or black fur is short and sleek, probably due to the lowland climates it lives in. On their chest sits a pale beige horseshoe shape marking, which gives the sun bear its name, being said to resemble a setting or rising sun. Similar colour fur can be found around the muzzle and the eyes. Sun bears in Borneo live in the forest. In fact, they are so clever at hiding themselves in the trees that you would be extremely lucky if you see one in the wild.
Then, proceed for lunch at a Mango Garden Restaurant. After lunch, transfer to the Tanini Kinabatangan, which is located at the Lower Kinabatangan River Sanctuary. The journey will take approximately 2 hours, passing by Kota Kinabatangan town and the oil palm plantation. Transfer from the Kampung Bilit jetty to Tanini Kinabatangan, just 3 minutes by boat across the River. Welcome drinks will be served upon arrival. After which, guests will be given a verbal orientation of the Lodge and the surrounding area. Proceed to check into the chalets within the Agamid wing of Tanini Kinabatangan. Afternoon boat cruise at 16:00 to search for wildlife and bird-life along the Kinabatangan river banks. Return to the Lodge to freshen up and then enjoy dinner in the midst of the Kampung Bilit secondary jungle! Right after dinner, go for a guided night walk to enjoy the wilderness and watch sleeping birds and nocturnal creatures of the jungle. Overnight at the Lodge.
Day 2 (Meals: B, L & D)
Catch the beautiful sight of the misty Kinabatangan River at 05:00. Join the boat cruise at 06:00 and see the exciting wildlife as they just awake from a night’s sleep. Various species of wildlife may be seen, such as Proboscis Monkeys, Leaf Monkeys, Macaques, Gibbons and even the Orang Utans. Return back for breakfast at 08:00. After breakfast at 09:00, proceed on foot with our professional jungle guide to the Bilit Ox-Bow Lake behind the Lodge. This is the time to get up close and personal glimpse of exquisite insect and bird life. Return to the Lodge for lunch at 12:00.
At 14:00, continue with the Napier grass planting activity aimed at nurturing the natural habitat of the Kinabatangan region and supporting the well-being of its beloved elephants. Get ready for another boat ride at 16:00 awaits you to cruise along the Kinabatangan River for more wildlife sightseeing. Return before dinner at 18:00. Dinner will be served at the Lodge. After that, there will be another guided night walk, this time using a different route. Then overnight at the Lodge.
Day 3 (Meals: B, L & D)
Experience the enchanting mist of the Kinabatangan River at 05:00. At 06:00, embark on a boat cruise to witness the vibrant wildlife as they wake from their slumber. Return to the Lodge to freshen up and prepare for breakfast at 07:00. The local cooking class will be at 10:00, during which you will prepare your own food under the guidance of our local chef and enjoy your lunch.
At 14:00, continue your day with batik painting session. Prepare for another boat ride at 16:00 to see more wildlife along the Kinabatangan River. Return to the Lodge before dinner at 18:00, followed by a meal at the Lodge. In the evening, join a guided night walk along a different route. Spend the night at the Lodge.
Day 4 (Meals: B)
Don’t be surprised to be woken up by the calls of gibbons and hornbills. At 06:00, take a morning river cruise to see more birds and wildlife. Return to the lodge for breakfast at 07:00. Check out at 08:30. Continue your journey back to Sandakan and visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre. Afterwards, you will be dropped off at either your accommodation or Sandakan Airport (Recommended flight departure at 14:00 onwards).
Tanini Kinabatangan River Safari | 4D3N
Trip Inclusions – Ultimate Kinabatangan River Safari
- Return road transfer from Sandakan or Sepilok area and return boat transfers to the Lodge from Kampung Bilit.
- Meals (3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunch & 3 Dinner).
- Visit (and entrance fees) the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Sun Bear Conservation Centre and the Rainforest Discovery Centre.
- At the Kinabatangan River, located in the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary: 6x river cruises (3x mornings & 3x late afternoons), 1x guided trek to an Ox-Bow lake, 3x Guided night nature walk. Napier Grass Planting with a certificate, Cooking Class with a certificate and Batik Painting. The Kinabatangan River cruises included with this trip will travel as far upstream as ~7km to Pontian Point and downstream a maximum of ~ 10 km to Tenegang Besar Point.
- Three nights accommodation in a Bangkatan Room (twin/double/triple beds, ensuite shower room and toilet, aircon) at Tanini Kinabatangan.
- Guiding throughout your trip is done by an experienced, friendly, English-speaking licensed nature guide.
- Access to free-flow coffee/tea and fresh water is available at the restaurant at the Kinabatangan Lodge.
Trip Exclusions
Camera/video conservation fee at Sepilok Sanctuary (RM10 per item), Sun Bear Conservation Centre (RM10 per item) and the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RM10 per item), soft drinks or alcoholic drinks, flights from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan. If you book this trip alone, there is a single supplement on top of the trip price (for single sharing a Chalet). The Tourism Tax is currently set at a flat rate of RM 10 per room per night and will be charged to non-Malaysian or foreign tourists.
The Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary Tour price is based on joining a shared trip – surcharges are applicable if you add on a private boat for river cruises, a private Guide or private minibus transfers.
Recommended Packing List – Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary Trip
To get the most from this trip, please bring with you a raincoat, cap/hat, insect repellent, sun cream, good walking shoes, a comfortable cotton T-shirt, long sleeve top, long trousers (long trousers are required for the Oxbow Lake trek), long shorts, binocular for observing wildlife, head torch for night trek, camera and personal medications (if needed). Please take your passport with you on this trip – your passports will be checked at the Kinabatangan Lodge.
Notes – 4D3N Ultimate Kinabatangan River Safari (Kinabatangan Nature Lodge), Sabah, Malaysia
If weather or other factors (e.g. landslide) make an activity unsafe, the Lodge will adapt the trip itinerary for safety reasons. There will be no refund if a trip itinerary needs to be adapted on the day due to safety reasons.
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