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Trip library · Malaysia · 4.50° N, 115.50° E

Malaysian Borneo

Orangutans at Sepilok and Semenggoh, Mount Kinabalu, and rainforest along the Kinabatangan River.

Language
Malay, and English
Currency
Malaysian ringgit (MYR)
Fly into
Kota Kinabalu (BKI)
Good months
March to October
Feels like
Hot, green, wild

Explore itineraries

6 days · Planned by Trippy Days

Orangutans and rainforest in Sabah

Day 1Kota Kinabalu
3:00 PMThe view from Signal Hill Observatory · Signal Hill Observatory Tower
5:30 PMSunset at Tanjung Aru Beach · Tanjung Aru Beach
7:30 PMSeafood at the waterfront night market · Kota Kinabalu
Day 2The islands off Kota Kinabalu
9:00 AMBoat from Jesselton Point · Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal - South Jetty
10:00 AMSnorkel off Sapi and Manukan islands · Tunku Abdul Rahman ParkBuy the boat ticket and park fee at the counters in the terminal.
7:00 PMDinner in Kota Kinabalu · Kota Kinabalu
Day 3Kinabalu Park
7:00 AMDrive to Kinabalu Park (about 2 hours)
9:00 AMRainforest trails at the park headquarters · Kinabalu Park Headquarters
1:00 PMPoring Hot Springs and the canopy walk · Poring Hot Spring
4:00 PMDrive back to Kota Kinabalu
Day 4Sepilok
8:00 AMFlight to Sandakan
10:00 AMMorning feeding at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre · Pusat Pemuliharaan Orang Utan SepilokFeedings at 10 and 3. Lock your bag away; the macaques steal.
11:30 AMBornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre · Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC)
2:00 PMThe canopy walkway at the Rainforest Discovery Centre · Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC)
Day 5The Kinabatangan River
9:00 AMDrive to the Kinabatangan River · Sukau
4:00 PMRiver cruise for proboscis monkeys and hornbills · Kinabatangan RiverBring binoculars.
8:00 PMNight walk in the forest · SukauLong sleeves, a headlamp, and leech socks.
Day 6Morning on the river
6:00 AMDawn river cruise · Kinabatangan River
10:00 AMBack to Sandakan
1:00 PMLunch in Sandakan · Sandakan
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Field notes

The lay of the land

What a friend who lives there would tell you. Tick what sounds good and it goes on your trip’s Ideas board.

  1. 1Kota KinabaluSeafood, sunsets, and islandsBase
  2. 2SepilokOrangutans and sun bears≈ 1 hr by air
  3. 3Kinabatangan RiverMonkeys and hornbills by boat≈ 1 hr by air + 2 hr
  4. 4Danum ValleyOld-growth rainforest≈ 1 hr by air + 2 hr
  5. 5SempornaDiving, and Sipadan's walls≈ 1 hr by air + 1 hr

From Kota Kinabalu

Known for
Eat and drink

Where to stay

Kota Kinabalu waterfront

Walk to the markets and the island boats.

A river lodge at Sukau

Stilt lodges on the Kinabatangan, with boats from the jetty.

Sepilok's jungle lodges

Wake up next to the rehab center.

Day trips

3 ideas ticked

Start a Malaysian Borneo trip

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