Kinabatangan River Lodge
Kinabatangan River Lodge offers a cozy riverside retreat surrounded by lush rainforest. Located along the wildlife-rich Kinabatangan River, it provides comfortable rooms, local hospitality, and direct access to river cruises for spotting orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and other Borneo wildlife.
Danum Valley Resthouse
Danum Valley Field Center is a premier rainforest research and eco-tourism hub set deep in one of Borneo’s last untouched jungles. Offering basic yet comfortable accommodations, it immerses guests in pristine nature with direct access to rare wildlife sightings, jungle trails, and expert-guided adventures.
Discover the best of Borneo on this 5-day tour combining Sandakan’s top wildlife attractions with the untouched rainforest of Danum Valley. Visit Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, and cruise the Kinabatangan River to spot pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, hornbills, and crocodiles. Then, journey deep into Danum Valley Conservation Area for rainforest treks, canopy walks, and night wildlife spotting. Includes accommodation at a river lodge and Danum Valley Field Centre, guided activities, meals, transfers, and park permits.
Sandakan/Lahad Datu or Lahad Datu/Sandakan
8.30 am
Kinabatangan River and Danum Valley — offering a rare chance to experience Borneo’s natural wonders up close.
Wildlife Encounters: Spot orangutans, proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, hornbills, and more during daily river cruises and guided treks.
Iconic Nature Sites: Visit Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, and the pristine Danum Valley rainforest.
Immersive Jungle Stays: Spend your nights in a charming river lodge along the Kinabatangan and a comfortable nature lodge inside Danum Valley Field Centre.
Day & Night Adventures: Experience morning and afternoon cruises, jungle walks, and nocturnal wildlife spotting under the rainforest canopy.
Small-Group, Private Options: Enjoy a more intimate, flexible experience with personalised guiding and expert local insight.
From tranquil rivers to ancient rainforests, this tour is designed for nature lovers, photographers, and travellers seeking an authentic Borneo adventure.
(8:30 am — ideally)
Arrive in Sandakan and begin your adventure with a visit to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre to witness the morning feeding session. Continue to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre to meet the world’s smallest bear.
After lunch, travel to the Kinabatangan floodplain. Upon arrival and check-in at your lodge, set out for an afternoon river cruise to spot wildlife along the riverbanks.
Start the day with an early morning river cruise to catch wildlife at their most active. Return for breakfast and a short rest before a guided jungle walk through the riverine forest.
After lunch, enjoy a relaxed afternoon at the lodge while keeping watch for passing wildlife. Later, embark on another late afternoon river cruise, exploring a different stretch of the Kinabatangan River.
After breakfast, check out and travel overland to Lahad Datu. Register at the Danum Valley Studies Centre office, then continue with a scenic transfer deep into the heart of the rainforest.
Following lunch, take a guided nature walk to explore the pristine surroundings. In the evening, join a night drive (weather and availability permitting) in search of nocturnal wildlife.
After breakfast, set off on a 4-hour trek to Rhino Pool, surrounded by towering trees and rich biodiversity. Return to DVFC for a break before heading out in the afternoon on the Coffin Trail to an ancient burial site.
Conclude the day with a guided night walk to discover the forest’s nocturnal life (weather permitting).
Enjoy breakfast at the Danum Valley Field Centre, followed by a leisurely morning with the option of a short guided walk or simply relaxing and soaking in the sights and sounds of the rainforest. Afterward, depart for Lahad Datu for your onward journey.
