4D3N Kinabatangan River Safari
with Gomantong caves bat exodus
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Join us for a 4 day Kinabatangan river safari at Hornbill Lodge in search of wild orangutans, proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants and more and enjoy river cruises at dawn, dusk and night as well as guided walks into the forest with your experienced guide.
Explore the boardwalk at the Gomantong caves whilst keeping an eye out for orangutans in the vicinity! As the sun sets, witness an incredible exodus of over 1 million bats exiting the caves in search of food, followed closely by bat hawks looking for a meal of their own. This tour normally departs on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays and can be combined with a guided visit to Sepilok orangutan and sunbear sanctuaries (additional charges apply). Alternative departures dates may be available on request, please contact us for more details. |
Itinerary
DAY 1
Your day will start with pick up Sandakan hotels, Sandakan airport or Sepilok area between 12pm and 1pm. Make sure to have something to eat before pick up or bring some snacks for the journey as the estimated transfer time to the Kinabatangan River is 2 to 2.5 hours. *If you would like to add-on a guided tour of Sepilok orangutan & sun bear sanctuaries before pick up, please let us know * Upon arrival, check-into your room and enjoy tea, coffee and snacks at our restaurant overlooking the river before embarking on your first river cruise at 4pm. Over the next 2 hours, your guide will be on the lookout for proboscis monkeys, long-tail & pig-tail macaques, silver leaf monkeys, orang-utans, crocodiles, birds and more! After your river cruise, return to the lodge for dinner before joining your guide on an included night walk . Meals - D |
DAY 2
As day dawns, join your second river cruise and watch as the river comes to life. Keep an eye out for bird life including the Kinabatangan river's 8 species of hornbills and have another chance to spot multiple species of primates. Return to the lodge for breakfast then join your guide for a jungle walk looking for signs of orang-utans such as nests in the trees and orang-utans themselves if you are lucky! Enjoy lunch overlooking the river and a chance to rest before joining an afternoon river cruise in search of more of the area's unique wildlife. After dinner, join your guide for a night walk or add-on a night cruise in search of nocturnal wildlife along the river bank. Meals - B, L, D Optional add-on: night cruise: RM100 per person |
DAY 3
Wake up early and join your guide for a dawn river cruise then return to the lodge for breakfast. After breakfast, set out our jungle trail for another chance to spot wild orangutans in the forest and learn more about the flora & fauna of the Kinabatangan river. In the mid-afternoon, head to Gomantong caves to explore Simud Hitam (pictured here) via a wooden boardwalk and learn more about the process of swiftlet nest harvesting, orangutans are often spotted in the vicinity of the caves too. As the sun lowers over the horizon, climb a steep staircase* to the top of the limestone outcrop and settle in for a chance to witness over a million bats, exiting from the caves below, pursued by bat hawks looking for their evening meal. Return to the lodge for dinner and enjoy a complimentary night cruise (min 2 pax per night cruise). Meals - B, L, D |
*There are around 500 steps to climb to reach the view point above Gomantong caves and a reasonable level of physical fitness is required, the exodus is also usually visible at ground level from the car park. Please note that the bat exodus is weather dependent and, as with all wildlife sightings, cannot be guaranteed.
DAY 4
Enjoy a final dawn river cruise or opt for a well-deserved lie-in before breakfast then catch your transfer back to Sandakan airport in time for flights departing at 1pm or later or hotels in Sandakan and Sepilok. Meals - B Transfers to other overland destinations such as Lahad Datu, Semporna or Tawau are available on request and subject to additional charges. |
Honest Pricing
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At River Junkie, we like to keep our pricing as fair, honest and transparent as possible. If you find the exact trip that we are offering for a lower price, we will either match it or beat it - this is our guarantee in providing you with honest pricing.
*Our price guarantee is for published rates only and not applicable to flash deals or last-minute promotions
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Accommodation
Hornbill Lodge
Ideally situated in a tranquil spot on the banks of the Kinabatangan river between Bilit and Sukau, Hornbill Lodge offers guests the chance to explore one of Sabah’s best-loved bio-diversity hot spots without compromising on comfort.
Our beautifully renovated river chalets and 4-bed dormitories are some of the best and largest on the river and will comfortably accommodate solo travellers, couples, families and friends! All rooms, including dormitories, have river facing balconies, air-conditioning and ensuite bathrooms with hot-water showers. |
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Pricing
4D3N Kinabatangan river safari with Gomantong caves bat exodus
Book now and save 15% ! Promotional rates available for 4D3N stays until 28th February 2025 (excludes Chinese New Year), please enquire for more details. Optional add-on: Guided visit of Sepilok orangutan sanctuary and the Borneo Sun bear conservation Centre with lunch on day 1: RM300 per person based on min 2 pax, solo travellers are welcome to join our exisiting departures. Notes
Prices valid until 31st Dec 2025 |
Additional info
Inclusive of- Return road transfer from Sandakan, Sepilok or Medan Selera (Kota Kinabatangan), 3 breakfast, 2 lunch & 3 dinner, 3 nights accommodation in dorm or river chalet at Hornbill Lodge, River Junkie nature guide on shared basis, river cruises ( 3 morning & 2 afternoon & 1 night cruise), 2 guided night walks, guided trekking, access to in-house wildlife observation tower, Gomantong caves visit & entry fees, coffee, tea & water refills.
Package excludes- Tourism tax (private rooms only- RM10/room per night), tips (optional).
Additional land transfers (based on 2 pax):
Semporna: RM300 per person
Lahad Datu: RM200 per person
Short on time or looking for a more budget-friendly option? Try our 3D2N Kinabatangan river safari with the Gomantong caves after check-out on the last day or ask us for a tailor-made package.
Package excludes- Tourism tax (private rooms only- RM10/room per night), tips (optional).
Additional land transfers (based on 2 pax):
Semporna: RM300 per person
Lahad Datu: RM200 per person
Short on time or looking for a more budget-friendly option? Try our 3D2N Kinabatangan river safari with the Gomantong caves after check-out on the last day or ask us for a tailor-made package.
GETTING TO SANDAKAN
There are direct flights from both Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and Kota Kinabalu (BKI) to Sandakan airport (SDK). If you are coming from Kota Kinabalu and are keen to see a few sights on your way over to the East coast then hop aboard our West to East shuttle and explore Kinabalu Park, Poring hot springs and Sabah Tea Plantation before being dropped off in Sandakan or Sepilok! |
To book |
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