This short yet enriching escape brings you face-to-face with Borneo’s most iconic primates in just three days. From the famed Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre to the wildlife-rich Kinabatangan River, this tour is ideal for travelers with limited time who still want a meaningful and immersive wildlife experience.
This tour offers an ideal blend of accessibility and adventure—designed for those who want a compact yet memorable Bornean primate experience.
Kota Kinabalu
8.30 am
Close-up encounters with orangutans at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Two wildlife-packed river cruises along the Kinabatangan River
High chances of seeing proboscis monkeys, macaques, and wild orangutans in their natural habitat
Comfortable eco-lodge stay in a riverside setting
Expert-guided tours with smooth transfers and all logistics arranged
(8:30 am — ideally)
Meet at your hotel in Sandakan and begin your adventure with a visit to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where you’ll witness the morning feeding and learn about orangutan conservation. After lunch, begin the scenic 2-hour drive to the Kinabatangan River, a hotspot for wildlife. Upon arrival, check in to your lodge and set off on your first sunset river cruise, where you may encounter proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, and hornbills along the riverbanks.
Start the day with a dawn river safari, when wildlife is most active. Watch for wild orangutans, macaques, and exotic birdlife. After breakfast, enjoy some leisure time or a guided nature walk (weather permitting). In the late afternoon, head out again for your final river cruise, increasing your chances of spotting elusive species such as pygmy elephants.
After breakfast, check out and return to Sandakan. Drop-off at the airport or your hotel marks the end of your primate-focused journey.
