Kinabatangan wildlife safari | Borneo

📍 Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia

4.9 ( 119 reviews)

See them in the wild

Habitat restoration

Community support

Conservation research

From

Duration2 - 3 days

FitnessEasy

Cancellation70% refundable 16 days before start time

🚗On-demand departure

⏰<2h response

🏅Conservation Charity

Overview

Kinabatangan is perhaps one of the best places to see wildlife in Borneo. During the river cruises, you're likely to see all of the ‘Borneo big fives’: orangutans, pygmy elephant, proboscis monkeys, rhinoceros hornbills, and the saltwater crocodile. We usually collaborate with local homestays for this trip. We do recommend combining Kinabatangan cruise with other trips, such as primary rainforest in Tawau Hills, to get a full sense of Borneo. With our guide, you’ll understand more of the wildlife you see, and the conservation successes and challenges facing Borneo, and the nuances around palm oil economy.

wildlife highlights

Why you'll love it

🔹 A biodiversity hotspot

The jungle of Borneo is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. For many visitors, the island's lush rainforests and rich wildlife are the biggest draw, and they frequently serve as a backdrop in David Attenborough's documentaries. It's one of the few places where one can still see orangutans in the wild. But conservation in Borneo is not just a story for TV, it's lived daily, shaped by complex social and economic realities.

🔹 Learn about Conservation on the ground

Palm oil plantations are often portrayed as the primary cause of deforestation and biodiversity loss. While they do play a role, the picture is far more complex. Conservation in Borneo requires a nuanced understanding that balances human needs with environmental protection. That's why we work with local NGOs and guides who are conservationists and ecologists. We work together to expose pangolin trafficking, and the tours are also great opportunities to monitor wildlife in the jungles.With our Borneo itinerary, we endeavour to show you not only the incredible wildlife on this land, but also to unpack how conservation is practised in an Asian context.

What you will be doing

Day 1: arrival and afternoon & evening cruise

We will depart from Sandakan/Lahad Datu at 13:00 and will arrive at Sukau around 15:00. At 16:00, we will enjoy an afternoon cruise before dinner. Then we’ll get on a night cruise to spot nocturnal animals

Day 2: morning and afternoon cruise

Morning cruise before breakfast, and then you’ll have some free time before lunch. Then we’ll take an afternoon cruise before dinner

Day 3: morning cruise and departure

Optional morning cruise to start the day. We will depart Kinabatangan, and drop you depends on where you will be travelling to next

Things to know

AccessibilityChildren friendly

Fitness levelEasy

Tour languageEnglish

Licence requiredNone

The trip is all inclusive apart from flights and drinks
Check with your government guidelines on vaccine requirements.Please note that some vaccines can take several months to complete the course
We recommend you take your own travel insurance in case of flight cancellations or other unexpected events
Bring comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing
Bring your own medication, incl. motion sickness medication if you are prone to it
It is best to bring your own torchlight and binoculars. You can borrow from us without charge
As this trip is booking on-demand, we will do our best to accommodate additional requirements. Please let us know in the booking form. If you like several of the trips in Borneo, please let us know as some can be combined into one longer itinerary.

Inclusions and Exclusions

✅ Included

Pick up and drop off transport
Tour guide
All activities

❌ Not included

Accommodation
Meals
Alcoholic beverages
Gratuities

Where we'll meet

Meet up/Pick up location: We will pick you up from your location in Sandakan or Lahad Datu

Instruction: We will pick you up from your hotel or the airport

ReturnThis trip returns to meeting point.

Your host

This tour is operated by 1StopBorneo.

This experience is with an expert local naturalist guide. Accommodation and travel between destinations are not included, so you’re free to choose where you stay. You can use any promo discount to claim cash back once the trip is completed.

We recommend all guests take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover unforeseen delays, cancellations, and medical emergencies.

Interested in this trip? Please fill in the form below and we will be in touch within 48 hours.

1. Name

2. Email

3. Select your planned travel date

4. Anything you'd like us to know?