4D3N Turtle Island & Kinabatangan River
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Spend the night on Selingan island and witness baby turtles hatching and being released on the beach before making your way to the wildlife sanctuaries of Sepilok. Visit both the orang-utan and sun bear sanctuary before continuing on to the Kinabatangan river for 2 nights in a riverside lodge. From there you will cruise the Kinabatangan river in search of pygmy elephants, orangutans, proboscis monkeys, hornbills and more before returning to Sandakan via the Gomantong caves, home to a large colony of swiftlets, bats and also a great place to spot orang-utans!
If you want to venture further afield, we can help you to add-on a trip to Danum Valley or Tabin Wildlife Reserve after your stay at the Kinabatangan river. We also arrange transfers to or from Semporna and other destinations, just contact us to discuss your travel plans. |
Itinerary
DAY 1: SANDAKAN - TURTLE ISLAND
Pick up from hotel within Sandakan or Sandakan airport between 09.15am - 10.15am and transfer to Sandakan jetty, the journey time to Selingan island is around 45 minutes by boat*. After registration & check-in you are free to explore the island, swim and snorkel as you like. Lunch will be served at 12.00. After dinner we wait for rangers to call and alert everyone to turtles coming onto the beach to lay their eggs, after which the rangers will transfer the eggs to the Sabah parks turtle hatchery. All going well you will also have the opportunity to observe the release of baby turtles to the open ocean. (Meals- L/D)
* If you are travelling with large suitcases, we advise packing a small overnight bag for Turtle Island and leaving your main luggage in storage on the mainland due to limited space on the boat.
* If you are travelling with large suitcases, we advise packing a small overnight bag for Turtle Island and leaving your main luggage in storage on the mainland due to limited space on the boat.
DAY 2: TURTLE ISLAND - SEPILOK - KINABATANGAN RIVER
After breakfast you will get the boat back to Sandakan and then transfer to Sepilok in time for the morning feeding session in the Sepilok orang-utan sanctuary from 9.30am until around 11am. This will give you a chance to see both the adult orang-utans at the main feeding platform and also the juveniles in the nursery.
Sometime around 11am you will proceed to the Borneo Sun Bear conservation centre. You will have about 45mins to an hour with the sun bears before proceeding to a local restaurant for lunch.
The transfer to the Kinabatangan will depart around 12.30pm and should take around 2 hours to reach the Bilit jetty, from here it is just a short boat ride to reach the Nature Lodge Kinabatangan which is located at the Lower Kinabatangan River Sanctuary. After welcome drinks, check-in and an orientation to the lodge we will head off for our first river cruise in search of wildlife and bird-life along the river banks. After dinner you have the option to join a short nights walk around the lodge grounds and some information about the insects that come out at night. (B/L/D)
Sometime around 11am you will proceed to the Borneo Sun Bear conservation centre. You will have about 45mins to an hour with the sun bears before proceeding to a local restaurant for lunch.
The transfer to the Kinabatangan will depart around 12.30pm and should take around 2 hours to reach the Bilit jetty, from here it is just a short boat ride to reach the Nature Lodge Kinabatangan which is located at the Lower Kinabatangan River Sanctuary. After welcome drinks, check-in and an orientation to the lodge we will head off for our first river cruise in search of wildlife and bird-life along the river banks. After dinner you have the option to join a short nights walk around the lodge grounds and some information about the insects that come out at night. (B/L/D)
DAY 3: KINABATANGAN RIVER
At 06:00hrs, Morning River Cruise at Kinabatangan River in search of more wildlife and birds. After breakfast, join a morning trek along the banks of the Kinabatangan river to learn about the area, the people that live in and around the Kinabatangan and how they make their living along with some of the ongoing projects in the area like tree re-planting. Return to the lodge for lunch followed by a boat ride along the Kinabatangan River for more wildlife sight-seeing. Dinner will be served at the lodge followed by guided night trek going a little further into the jungle than the night before. This night trek you will have opportunity to see roosting birds, amphibians, insects or possibly Tarsier or Slow Loris if your lucky. (B/L/D)
DAY 4: KINABATANGAN RIVER - GOMANTONG CAVES - SANDAKAN
Wake-up to the calls of gibbons and hornbills and join our 6am morning River Cruise for your final chance to spot pygmy elephants, orang utans, proboscis monkeys, hornbills and all types of other birds & monkeys. Return to the lodge for breakfast, check-out and head over to nearby Gomantong caves for a briefing about the significance of these caves to the local community. Spend around one hour viewing the cave and animals that call it home before continuing on the journey to Sandakan, typical arrival time is 11.30am.
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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Price per person
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Ensuite AC chalet (twin share): RM1700 per person
* All tours are subject to weather conditions * Rates are per person based on minimum 2 people * Single supplement charge for single traveller is RM200 * High season surcharge for months June - September additional RM10 per person Fancy treating yourself? View our 4D3N turtle island & Sukau Rainforest Lodge trip (price from RM3100 per person) PRICE INCLUDES
- Return road/boat transfers as mentioned - 1 night accommodation at Selingan Island & 2 nights accommodation at Kinabatangan river - Nature guide, guided activities as mentioned - Entrance & conservation fees - Meals as per itinerary - Coffee, tea & water refills. PRICES EXCLUDES
- Camera fee (see below) - Tourism tax (RM10/room per night) - Soft/alcoholic bevarages and tips (optional). Note on Camera Use at Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre and Turtle Island: For any camera with zoom lens from 100 to 400mm, video camera or other video recording equipment for personal use are chargeable at RM10.00 per unit. For any camera (fixed-lens - 400mm and above ) or any film-making equipment are chargeable at RM1,000.00 per unit. |
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Additional info
Who is this trip suitable for? This trip is suitable for visitors of all fitness levels, most activities are done by boat or by walking on flat, sometimes muddy terrain.
Children are welcome to join and discounts are available for children under 10 (please contact us for a quotation). The accommodation at Turtle Island is strictly limited to 2 adults & 1 child 10 years old or younger per chalet. Families with 2 or more children or children over 10 will be required to book 2 rooms due to the policy of the accommodation provider.
Solo travellers can join this trip and will get their own private room subject to a single supplement fee of RM200 per person.
What should I bring? Binoculars, insect repellent, sunscreen, long sleeve shirts & long pants, raincoat, sun hat, swimwear, comfortable trekking shoes, torch light, water bottle, personal toiletries, leech socks and some cash (no ATMs in Turtle Island, Sepilok, or the Kinabatangan).
Pick up & drop off locations: Pick up is provided on the first day from any hotel in Sandakan or Sepilok or from Sandakan airport (pick up time between 9.15 - 10.15am, subject to change according to boat schedule) . Drop off is at Sandakan airport or hotels in Sepilok or Sandakan around 12pm on the last day. Transfers to or from other locations can be arranged upon request, costs vary depending on the location.
Air-conditioning is available at Turtle Island & the Kinabatangan river lodge, all areas visited have 24 electricity although power cuts are not uncommon!
Staying connected: Charging points are available at all lodges and are 3 pin UK style plugs. Phone & 4G signal is good around Sandakan & Sepilok but can be limited at the Kinabatangan River. Wifi is limited and shouldn't be relied upon during the trip.
Medical advice: Please consult your physician for up to date advice on vaccinations & anti-malarials and any pre-existing medical conditions that may affect your ability to join the trip. Guests are advised to always take out appropriate travel insurance to cover any unforeseen circumstances during your trip.
Children are welcome to join and discounts are available for children under 10 (please contact us for a quotation). The accommodation at Turtle Island is strictly limited to 2 adults & 1 child 10 years old or younger per chalet. Families with 2 or more children or children over 10 will be required to book 2 rooms due to the policy of the accommodation provider.
Solo travellers can join this trip and will get their own private room subject to a single supplement fee of RM200 per person.
What should I bring? Binoculars, insect repellent, sunscreen, long sleeve shirts & long pants, raincoat, sun hat, swimwear, comfortable trekking shoes, torch light, water bottle, personal toiletries, leech socks and some cash (no ATMs in Turtle Island, Sepilok, or the Kinabatangan).
Pick up & drop off locations: Pick up is provided on the first day from any hotel in Sandakan or Sepilok or from Sandakan airport (pick up time between 9.15 - 10.15am, subject to change according to boat schedule) . Drop off is at Sandakan airport or hotels in Sepilok or Sandakan around 12pm on the last day. Transfers to or from other locations can be arranged upon request, costs vary depending on the location.
Air-conditioning is available at Turtle Island & the Kinabatangan river lodge, all areas visited have 24 electricity although power cuts are not uncommon!
Staying connected: Charging points are available at all lodges and are 3 pin UK style plugs. Phone & 4G signal is good around Sandakan & Sepilok but can be limited at the Kinabatangan River. Wifi is limited and shouldn't be relied upon during the trip.
Medical advice: Please consult your physician for up to date advice on vaccinations & anti-malarials and any pre-existing medical conditions that may affect your ability to join the trip. Guests are advised to always take out appropriate travel insurance to cover any unforeseen circumstances during your trip.
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