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Sunrise over Mount Kinabalu

Sabah Rainforest Safari

Example 8 Day Tour
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Start your 8-day trip in Kota Kinabalu with a city tour and a visit to the night market. Relax on a coral island at Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, exploring its coral reefs. Travel to the foothills of Mt. Kinabalu, visit Kinabalu Park HQ, and the Kinabalu Geopark Gallery. Fly to Sandakan to see the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center. Cruise the Kinabatangan River, spot diverse wildlife, and stay at Sukau Rainforest Lodge. Enjoy river cruises, nature walks, and night safaris. Head to Utan Rainforest Lodge in the Virgin Jungle Reserve for more river cruises, a sunset cruise, and night safaris. Visit the Cuckoo Hide, explore the Segama River, and enjoy the lodge’s amenities. Depart from Lahad Datu after a memorable trip.
Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation CenterOrangutansKota Kinabalu cityscape at nightFresh fruit displayed in the marketCloudy jungle of BorneoMount Kinabalu, Sabah. Highest mountain in Southeast Asia.Sunrise over Mount Kinabalu
Highlights
  • Discover Kota Kinabalu's vibrant night market
  • Relax on Tunku Abdul Rahman Park's coral island
  • Visit Kinabalu Park HQ to explore the cool montane forest
  • Witness the feeding of orangutans at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
  • Cruise along the Kinabatangan River to spot Borneo's wildlife
  • Embark on a river cruise adventure to Segama River's mangrove forest
Places Visited
  • Asia
  • Borneo
  • Malaysia
  • Kinabatangan
  • Kota Kinabalu
  • Sabah
  • Sandakan
  • Sukau Rainforest Lodge
  • Utan Rainforest Lodge
Activity Level: Easy Active
Moderately active but not overly strenuous. This level includes activities like casual cycling, yoga, or excursions/activities that typically last 3-5 hours total each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive in Kota Kinabalu | Night Market

Upon arrival in Kota Kinabalu, you are greeted and transferred to your hotel. Join an evening city tour and experience the vibrant atmosphere of the bustling night market, offering a variety of local spices, souvenirs, fruits, and vegetables. End the evening with a delightful dinner at a local restaurant before heading back to your hotel.

Day 2: Tunku Abdul Rahman Park

Enjoy a whole day on a coral island. Start with a 30-minute boat ride from the jetty to one of the islands in Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, where you can spend a day of relaxation at your own pace.

Note: The scheduled boat transfer to the island departs at 8:15 a.m. Please ensure you arrive at Marina Jetty no later than 8:00 a.m.

Hop on another boat transfer to your next island destination. Engage in snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters, surrounded by coral reefs and vibrant, colorful fish.

Return to the boat and head to Gaya Island for lunch before swimming or simply unwinding by the shore.

Conclude your day by departing via boat back to Kota Kinabalu in the mid-afternoon.

Day 3: Kota Kinabalu | Kinabalu GeoPark

Drive for 2 hours to the base of Mt. Kinabalu, making a short stop at the Pekan Nabalu market to stretch and sample seasonal fruits. If the weather permits, take a photo of the picturesque Mount Kinabalu.

Continue to Kinabalu Park HQ to visit the Kinabalu Geopark Gallery and Botanical Garden. If conditions are favorable, join a guided walk on one of the trails to explore the refreshing montane forest.

Drive back to Kota Kinabalu and relax in preparation for the following day.

Day 4: Sandakan | Sukau Rainforest Lodge

Wake up early to head to the airport for a flight to Sandakan.

Upon arrival, travel to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. There, watch a short video about the center’s rehabilitation efforts, then head to the feeding platform to see orangutans and other monkeys being fed. You can also visit the nursery area to observe the young orangutans.

After lunch, take a 2.5-hour boat ride up the Kinabatangan River to Sukau Rainforest Lodge. After checking in, enjoy a late afternoon cruise to look for wildlife and birds. You may also opt for a night river cruise to spot nocturnal animals.

Return to the lodge to freshen up, enjoy dinner at Melapi restaurant, and attend a slide presentation and talk by a naturalist guide.

Day 5: Sukau Rainforest Lodge

Rise early for a morning river cruise up the Kinabatangan River to Kelenanap Oxbow Lake to observe more birds and wildlife. Return to the lodge for breakfast, then join a nature walk along the Hornbill and Attenborough Boardwalks with the in-house naturalist.

The rest of the day is free for you to explore on your own or relax by the lodge's dip pool after lunch. Later, visit the newly refurbished Ape Gallery for an Ape Talk with the in-house naturalist.

In the afternoon, visit the Gomantong Caves to explore the extensive cave system, known as the largest limestone outcrop in Lower Kinabatangan with diverse wildlife. For a challenge, climb the stairs to Simud Putih for a view of the bat exodus.

Return to Sukau Rainforest Lodge for a delicious dinner at Melapi Restaurant and enjoy a restful night.

Day 6: Lahad Datu | Utan Rainforest Lodge

Check out early and travel 2.5 hours by land to Lahad Datu for registration. Continue for another 2.5-hour drive to reach Utan Rainforest Lodge, located in the Virgin Jungle Reserve (VJR) of Sungai Kapur.

Upon arrival, receive a warm welcome and a facility briefing, followed by a delicious lunch and check-in.

Experience the Virgin Jungle Reserve with an introductory walk near the lodge. In the evening, take a sunset river cruise to spot wildlife and enjoy a scenic estuary sunset. If the weather is favorable, you might see a display of fireflies as you return to the lodge for dinner.

After dinner, join a night safari drive for a chance to see the nocturnal wildlife of the forest.
 

Day 7: Utan Rainforest Lodge

After a quick breakfast, set out for a short morning hike. Visit the Cuckoo Hide to photograph Borneo's endemic birds and other local wildlife. Return to the lodge to freshen up before enjoying a hearty breakfast at the restaurant.

After breakfast, weather and sea conditions permitting, embark on a river cruise along the coastline, exploring the Segama River and its mangrove forest. Watch for wildlife encounters, including flying foxes, eagles, and dolphins.

Return to the lodge to relax before lunch. As the sun sets, enjoy a delicious dinner and take a night walk around the lodge. Experience the tranquility of the night and look for nocturnal animals such as civets, leopard cats, mouse deer, and moonrats.

Return to the lodge for a restful night.

Day 8: Utan Rainforest Lodge – Lahad Datu | Return Home

  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Wake up to the sounds of the jungle and enjoy a hearty breakfast. Spend your free time as you wish and have a delicious lunch before checking out.

Head to Lahad Datu for your late afternoon flight.

Accommodations

Sukau Rainforest Lodge

Utan Rainforest Lodge

Lobby
Pool
Lodge Deck

Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu

Fitness Center
Dining Area
Swimming Pool

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$1,854 2-3 travelers

Notes

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Rates may vary based on current exchange rate.

Included
  • 7 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 5 Dinners
  • 7 Nights Accommodations
  • 1 Day Locally Hosted Guide Service
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • English Speaking Guide
  • This tour package rates include pick-up at Kota Kinabalu and drop off at Lahad Datu. Additional charge per person applies for pick-up and drop-off outside this area and pick up time may vary.
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • RM10 per room per night mandatory Tourism Tax in Malaysia collected by cash upon check-in.
  • Camera fee and items not mentioned
  • Domestic airfare (Kota Kinabalu(BKI) - Lahad Datu(LDU)

Map

When to Go

Jan
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Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.

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The trip was terrific with great planning on your part. Most of the adventures were not mainstream and somewhat off the beaten path which made it especially enjoyable!! We felt taken care of and you all were readily available to respond to questions and issues. I would highly recommend your company and friends have already expressed interest based on our pictures and excitement.
Gale Cantor

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