The Sabah Experience

Arrival at the airport & check in to the hotel

Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, is a vibrant coastal city known for its lively markets, waterfront, and gateway to tropical islands and Mount Kinabalu. It blends modern city life with rich indigenous culture and stunning natural landscapes. On arrival at the airport, you will be met by our Tour executive, who will assist you with the transfer to the hotel. Stay two nights at Kota Kinabalu.

Poring Hot Spring & Kinabalu Park

At 0700 hours, depart from your city hotel in Kota Kinabalu for a scenic 3-hour drive to Poring Hot Spring, with a stop at Nabalu village to enjoy local fruits, browse handicrafts, and take in views of Mount Kinabalu. Upon arrival at Poring, experience the canopy walkway for a unique perspective of the rainforest, followed by a relaxing soak in the hot mineral springs. Visit the interpretive centre to learn about local flora and fauna before continuing to Kinabalu Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore its mountain gardens, home to diverse plant and animal life, before returning to Kota Kinabalu in the late afternoon.

Transfer to airport

After breakfast, transfer to airport to board the flight to Sandakan.

Check - in & relax

On arrival in Sandakan you will be received and transfer to My Nature resort in Sepilok, set in 25 acres of rainforest bordering the Sepilok forest reserve, a protected area rich in wildlife. The afternoon is free at leisure. Relax, swim in the pool, go for a walk on the resort’s own 1,050 metre long boardwalk.

Travel to Selingan Turtle Island

Transfer to the jetty for a one-hour trip by speedboat to Selingan Turtle Island.

Check - in & relax

Check in at one of the chalets on the island and enjoy your lunch at the restaurant. The afternoon is free for relaxing, bird watching or for snorkelling. In the evening, a park ranger will escort you to watch one of the green turtles that have come ashore to lay their eggs.

Depart for Sandakan

In the early morning, depart from Selingan by boat to Sandakan and drive to the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary.

Visit Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary and Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre

On arrival in Sepilok, visit the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary where captive orangutans are reintroduced into the wild. You will be able to observe them at their feeding stations in the rainforest and at the nursery (if open). Watch the feeding session at 1000 hours. Then proceed to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC). This centre rescues captured sun bears and is involved in sun bear conservation, welfare rehabilitation and education. Over 30 sun bears live at the centre in the bear house and outdoor enclosures. Afterwards, return to the hotel in Sepilok.

Travel to Abai

After leisurely breakfast, proceed for Sandakan Jetty for an 1-hour boat cruise up the Lower Kinabatangan River, passing pristine mangrove forests and searching for wildlife.

Explore the wildlife along with night walk

On arrival, check-in and enjoy your lunch at the lodge. Aftenoon, free to relax or explore the surrounding area on the nature boardwalk. Later in the evening at 1630 hours, go on a cruise in search of proboscis monkeys, birds, reptiles and other wildlife. As night falls witness the glittering of fireflies on the mangrove trees. Return to the lodge for dinner followed by a guided night walk around the Lodge’s nature boardwalk and search for insects, birds and other wildlife.

Excursion to Pitas Lake & Abai Village

Take another boat trip to Pitas Lake in the early morning for bird watching and wildlife viewing. After breakfast at the lodge, visit the nearby Abai village and participate in a tree-planting project. Enjoy a local-style lunch prepared and served by the villagers. Rest and relax before another cruise along the Kinabatangan River in search of wildlife.

Cruise upriver to Sukau

After breakfast morning is free at leisure to relax or explore the boardwalk. Then cruise upriver to Sukau, searching for wildlife along the way.

Reach and explore the wildlife

Arrive Sukau, check-in to Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge and enjoy the lunch. Afternoon go on a river cruise up the Kinabatangan River to the Menanggul River in search of proboscis monkeys, birds and other wildlife. Return to the lodge for dinner and stay overnight in Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge (non-air conditioned).

Excursion to Ox Bow Lake & Menanggul River

Start the day with an early morning river cruise along the Kinabatangan River, exploring the nearby Ox Bow Lake in search of birds and wildlife. In the evening, embark on another cruise along the Menanggul River for more wildlife spotting before returning to the lodge at dusk.

Travel to Sandakan

After an breakfast, return to Sandakan by boat. The 2½ hour journey offers another chance to see wildlife. Around 0830 hours stop at Abai Jungle Lodge for a short break before continuing your journey downriver. Arrive at Sandakan jetty and have lunch at a local restaurant.

Check - in & relax

Check-in and the remainder of the day is free at leisure to relax.

Departure transfer to Sandakan Airport

After breakfast tour finishes with a direct transfer to the Sandakan airport.