Essential Sabah

Arrival at the airport & check in to the hotel

Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, is known for its stunning sunsets and gateway to Mount Kinabalu. It blends vibrant city life with natural beauty, from bustling markets to nearby coral islands and rainforests.

Poring Hot Spring & Kinabalu Park

At 0700 hours, you will be picked up from your city hotel to begin the 3-hour journey to Poring Hot Springs. Along the way, stop at Nabalu village to enjoy fresh local fruits and browse traditional handicrafts. You can also visit the lookout tower for panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and majestic Mount Kinabalu. Upon arrival at Poring, explore the canopy walkway, offering a unique perspective of the forest and its wildlife from 100 feet above the ground. Then, relax in the therapeutic hot mineral springs nestled within beautifully maintained gardens. You may also visit the interpretive centre to learn more about the local flora and fauna. Continue on to Kinabalu Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you’ll explore the mountain gardens rich in orchids, pitcher plants, and diverse wildlife. Return to Kota Kinabalu in the late afternoon.

Flight to Sandakan

After an early breakfast, transfer to airport to board a flight to Sandakan. Upon arrival, transfer to your accommodation in Sepilok.

Check - in and relax

Check-in at the hotel My Nature Resort The afternoon is free at leisure. Relax, swim in the pool, go for a walk on the resort’s own 1,050 metre long boardwalk.

Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary and Rainforest Discovery Centre

Start the day with breakfast at the resort, followed by a leisurely morning to relax and enjoy the natural surroundings. After lunch, depart for the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary, where you'll witness the 2:30 PM feeding session. Nestled within an oil palm estate, this sanctuary offers a rare opportunity to observe wild proboscis monkeys up close. These unique primates, known for their distinctive noses and potbellies, live in a fragmented habitat and rely on supplementary feeding. As feeding time approaches, groups emerge from nearby forests and mangroves, making their way to the platform—offering visitors exceptional viewing and photo opportunities. You may also spot silver leaf monkeys and hornbills nearby. At around 3:30 PM, continue your journey to the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) in the Kabili Sepilok Forest Reserve. Begin with a brief stop at the visitor centre before heading to the 147-metre-long canopy walkway, which rises up to 28 metres above the forest floor. This elevated path offers a unique perspective of Sabah’s tropical rainforest and is a haven for birdwatchers, with over 250 recorded species. Return to MY Nature Resort between 5:15 and 5:30 PM. Before dinner, gather at the flying squirrel observation platform to try and spot red giant flying squirrels as they glide through the dusk sky. End the day with dinner and an overnight stay at the resort.

Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary & travel to Abai

Pick up from MY Nature Resort and visit the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary where captive orangutans are reintroduced into the wild. You will be able to observe them at their feeding stations in the rainforest and at the nursery. Watch the feeding session at 1000 hours. Then proceed to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC). This centre rescues captured sun bears and is involved in sun bear conservation, welfare rehabilitation and education. Over 30 sun bears live at the centre in the bear house and outdoor enclosures. Later depart Sepilok and proceed to a boat jetty in Sandakan. 1200 hours depart for a 1-hour boat cruise along the Lower Kinabatangan River, passing pristine mangrove forests and searching for wildlife.

Check-in and explore the wildlife

Upon arrival at Abai Jungle Lodge, enjoy lunch and take some time to relax or explore the surrounding area via the nature boardwalk. At 4:30 PM, embark on a river cruise to spot proboscis monkeys, a variety of bird species, reptiles, and other wildlife. As evening sets in, marvel at the mesmerizing display of fireflies illuminating the mangrove trees. Return to the lodge for dinner, followed by a guided night walk along the boardwalk in search of nocturnal creatures, including insects, birds, and more. Overnight stay at Abai Jungle Lodge (non-air-conditioned).

Excursion to Pitas Lake & Abai Village

Begin the day at 6:30 AM with a boat excursion to nearby Pitas Lake for birdwatching and wildlife spotting. Return to the lodge for breakfast, then visit the nearby Abai village to take part in a tree planting project. Enjoy a traditional local lunch prepared by the villagers, or return to the lodge for lunch if preferred. The afternoon is free for you to relax or explore the nature boardwalk in search of more wildlife. At 4:30 PM, head out on another river cruise along the Kinabatangan River to observe wildlife in its natural habitat. Return to the lodge for dinner. Overnight stay at Abai Jungle Lodge (non-air-conditioned).

Cruise upriver to Sukau

After breakfast, morning is free at leisure to relax or explore the boardwalk. Later cruise upriver to Sukau, searching for wildlife along the way.

Arrive and explore the wildlife during Menanggul River excursion

Arrive Sukau, check-in to Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge and have lunch. Later in evening, go on a river cruise up the Kinabatangan River to the Menanggul River in search of proboscis monkeys, birds and other wildlife. Return to the lodge for dinner. Overnight at the Kinabatangan Riverside lodge (non-air conditioned).

Excursion to Ox Bow Lake & Menanggul River

Early morning at 0630hrs, take a boat trip for bird watching and wildlife viewing at the nearby Ox Bow Lake. Then return to the lodge for breakfast. Free at leisure to relax. In the evening at 1630hrs venture on another river cruise down the Menanggul River in search of wildlife. Return to the lodge at dusk. Evening at leisure. Overnight at the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge (non-air conditioned).

Downriver journey to Sandakan

After an early breakfast transfer to Sandakan by boat. The 2½ hour journey offers another chance to see wildlife. Stop at Abai Jungle Lodge for a short break before continuing your journey downriver to Sandakan jetty and dropped off at your resort.

Check - in & rest of the day in leisure.

Upon arrival transfer to your hotel, rest of the day in leisure for own activities.

Departure transfer

After breakfast, tour finishes with a transfer to the Sandakan airport where you board a flight for your onwards journey.