Sandakan Nature safari

Itinerary

Day 1

SANDAKAN / ORANG UTAN / BORNEAN SUN BEAR / KINABATANGAN (Lunch, Dinner)

Pick up from any hotels within Sandakan at 0800 hrs or Sandakan Airport. 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 Utan shares 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 color 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.

After lunch, transfer to the Nature Lodge Kinabatangan which is located at the Lower Kinabatangan River Sanctuary. The journey will take approximately 2 hours, passing by Kota Kinabatangan town and also oil palm plantation. Catch a glimpse of the curious primates and swiflets of Gomantong Caves while on the last leg along Kampung Bilit road. Transfer from the Kampung Bilit jetty to Nature Lodge Kinabatangan, just 3 mins 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 Agamid wing of Nature Lodge Kinabatangan.

Afternoon boat cruise at 1600hrs to search for wildlife and bird-life along the Kinabatangan river banks. Return to 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 walks to enjoy the wilderness and watch sleeping birds and nocturnal creatures of the jungle. Overnight at the Lodge

Day 2

KINABATANGAN RIVER (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Catch the beautiful sight of the misty Kinabatangan River at 0500hrs. Join the boat cruise at 0600hrs and see the exciting wildlife as they just awake from a night sleep. Various species of wildlife may be seen such as Proboscis Monkeys, Leaf Monkeys, Macaques, Gibbons and even the Orang Utans. Return for breakfast at 0800hrs.

After breakfast at 0900hrs, proceed on foot with our professional jungle guide walk behind the Lodge. This is the time to get an up close and personal glimpse of exquisite insects and birds life. You will also walk on the path of the newly discovered “Borneo Pygmy Elephants” (relatively, it’s the smallest elephant in the world). Return to the Lodge for lunch at 1200hrs. Rest after lunch and another boat ride at 1600 hrs awaits you to cruise along the Kinabatangan River for more wildlife sight-seeing. Return before dinner at 1800 hrs. 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

KINABATANGAN / GOMANTONG CAVE / SANDAKAN (Breakfast)

Don’t be surprised to be woken up by the calls of gibbons and hornbills. At 0600hrs, take a morning river cruise to see more birds and wildlife. Return to the lodge for breakfast at 0745 hrs. Proceed to check out and at 0915hrs, we will transfer you to Gomantong Caves, the largest limestone hill and the most important source of edible bird nest in Sabah. Then continue your journey back to Sandakan and transfer to either your hotel or airport.