5D4N East Coast Wildlife Adventure
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The ultimate nature lovers trip combining the wildlife rich Kinabatangan River, the pristine rainforests of Danum Valley, along with the orangutan & sunbear sanctuaries in Sepilok and the impressive Gomantong caves. Sleep 2 nights at a riverside lodge on the Kinabatangan and 2 nights at Danum Valley Field Centre and join river cruises, treks, night walks and more!
The East Coast Wildlife Adventure departs from Sandakan / Sepilok each Monday & Thursday based on a minimum of 2 people per departure. If you would like to fly in 1 or 2 days earlier to spend some extra time around Sepilok and/or visit Turtle Island first then just let us know and we can help arrange airport transfers, accommodation in Sepilok or Sandakan and itinerary add-ons for you. |
Itinerary
Day 1: sandakan - sepilok sanctuaries - kinabatangan river
Pick up from Sandakan hotels or airport between 8 - 8.30am or hotels in Sepilok between 8.45 - 9am. Head first to the orangutan sanctuary to watch the younger, playful orangutans in the nursery before catching the 10am feeding. Around 11am your guide will take you to the sunbear sanctuary to watch the sunbears (the world’s smallest species of bear!) from raised walkways. After a lunch stop at a local restaurant, start your journey to the Kinabatangan river around 1pm, After check-in, welcome drinks and an orientation to the lodge you’ll join your first boat cruise in search of wildlife and bird-like along the banks of the Kinabatangan River into your river. Return to the lodge for dinner and then choose to either relax at the lodge or join the night walk in search of nocturnal animals. (L, D)
day 2: kinabatangan river
As day dawns, join the early morning boat cruise in search of pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, hornbills, orangutans and more before returning to the lodge for breakfast. After breakfast join a trek along the river banks looking for wildlife before returning to the lodge for lunch and the chance to relax surrounded by nature. Once the afternoon sun cools down, join the cruise boat for more wildlife spotting opportunities. After a buffet dinner there will be another chance for a night walk looking for tarsiers, frogs, insects, flying squirrels and other nocturnal wildlife. (B, L, D)
day 3: kinabatangan river - Gomantong caves - danum Valley field centre
Wake up to the sounds of hornbills & gibbons and take your last chance to join our boat for a final wildlife spotting dawn river cruise or enjoy a well deserved lie-in before breakfast. Depart from the lodge around 8.30am and stop off at the Gomantong caves, explore the boardwalk through the caves and search for orangutans in the vicinity of the caves then continue on to Lahad Datu for lunch. After lunch, take a 2 hour drive down a small gravel road to arrive at Danum Valley Field Centre, you might already spot elephants, orangutans or other wildlife along the way! After check in, get an orientation to the field centre before embarking on a mid-afternoon walk with your guide. The area surrounding the center teems with wildlife and it is not unusual for you to spot resident orang utan, hornbills etc. Return to center before sundown and enjoy dinner at 7pm. After dinner, go on an included night walk with your guide or arrange for an optional 4x4 night drive (own costs). (B, L, D)
day 4: danum valley
Wake up early for an early morning nature walk nearby DVFC to see the forest come to life. Alternatively, you can also pre-arrange a 4x4 drive to Bukit Atur for a breathtaking sunrise experience atop a canopy of trees – please tell your guide in advance that you are interested in this and he can assist with booking accordingly. Return to center for breakfast and embark on a trail in the area if you wish. Spend late morning resting before having lunch. After lunch, take a dip at the Ulu Segama river before heading off for another trek with your guide. Return to the center in late afternoon, in time to watch the sky change colour as the sun sets. After dinner, go on an included night walk with your guide or arrange for an optional 4x4 night drive. (B, L, D)
day 5: danum valley - lahad datu
Wake up early for early walk and more wildlife sighting possibilities. Return to field centre for breakfast, and spend the rest of your morning at leisure until check out time at 9.30am. Arrive at Lahad Datu for onward travel by 12pm. (B) We recommend catching an afternoon flight to Kota Kinabalu (MAS Wings) or if you would like to travel onwards to Sandakan, the Kinabatangan river, Semporna or Tawau we can help to arrange this.
If you are not in a rush and would like to leave the Field Centre at 11.30am instead so that you can spend an extra couple of hours exploring the grounds in your own time then please ask about arranging a later transfer (additional charges apply).
If you are not in a rush and would like to leave the Field Centre at 11.30am instead so that you can spend an extra couple of hours exploring the grounds in your own time then please ask about arranging a later transfer (additional charges apply).
Accommodation
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Our very own Hornbill Lodge on the banks of the Kinabatangan will be your comfortable home for the first 2 nights. All private river chalets and dorms are newly renovated, air-conditioned and feature modern ensuite bathrooms and river-facing balconies.
Due to the hillside location of Hornbill Lodge, there is no step-free access to the rooms. The furthest rooms require climbing around 85 steps, the closest 10 to 20 steps. If you require a closer room, please inform our team at the time of booking and we will do our best to place you in one of the rooms closest to our restaurant and reception area. The next 2 nights will be spent at the more modest Danum Valley Field Centre in one of the following room types (subject to availability):
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Danum Valley Field Centre relies on a generator for electricity and electricity is only available from 7am - 11pm. Regardless of which room type you choose, there will be no electricity and therefore no fan or air-conditioning after 11pm but the temperature overnight is cooler in the jungle than the city.
Price per person
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5D4N East Coast Wildlife Adventure
Pricing valid until 31st Dec 2025. Peak period surcharge: RM200 per person for stays at Hornbill Lodge in April, July, August & September |
PRICE INCLUDES
PRICE EXCLUDES
- Tourism tax: RM10 per private room per night (payable in cash at check-in) - Flights / transfers other than stated - Drinks - Meals other than stated - Optional 4×4 activities at Danum Valley: Night safari or Bukit Atur sunrise safari RM60 per person based on min 3 people - Camera fees at Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre: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. |
5D4N East Coast Wildlife Adventure tours depart on Monday & Thursday only, please contact us for alternatives if you are unable to make these departure dates.
Additional Info
Who is this trip suitable for? The East Coast Wildlife Adventure is designed for travellers who don’t mind sharing transport and a guide in order to reduce their trip costs. Trekking in Danum Valley requires a moderate level of fitness and you should be prepared for hot & humid weather conditions.
Children are welcome to join but families with children under 12 will require a private guide for the safety & comfort of all participants. Additional fees will apply, please contact us for a quotation.
Solo travellers are welcome to join any of our existing trips subject to a minimum of 2 people per departure.
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 Sepilok, Kinabatangan or Danum Valley)
Pick up & drop off locations: Pick up is provided between 7.45 - 8.30am on the first day from any hotel in Sandakan or Sepilok or from Sandakan airport. Drop off can be at any hotel in Lahad Datu, Lahad Datu airport or bus station around 12pm on the last day. Earlier transfers to the airport and transfers to or from other locations can be arranged upon request, costs vary depending on the location.
Staying connected: Charging points are available at all lodges and are 3 pin UK style plugs. Danum Valley Field Centre has limited electricity hours from 7am to 11pm, other areas usually have 24 hour electricity but power cuts do happen. There is no or very limited phone signal at both Hornbill Lodge and Danum Valley Field Centre. Wifi (Starlink) is available in communal areas at Hornbill Lodge but there is no wifi at Danum Valley.
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 but families with children under 12 will require a private guide for the safety & comfort of all participants. Additional fees will apply, please contact us for a quotation.
Solo travellers are welcome to join any of our existing trips subject to a minimum of 2 people per departure.
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 Sepilok, Kinabatangan or Danum Valley)
Pick up & drop off locations: Pick up is provided between 7.45 - 8.30am on the first day from any hotel in Sandakan or Sepilok or from Sandakan airport. Drop off can be at any hotel in Lahad Datu, Lahad Datu airport or bus station around 12pm on the last day. Earlier transfers to the airport and transfers to or from other locations can be arranged upon request, costs vary depending on the location.
Staying connected: Charging points are available at all lodges and are 3 pin UK style plugs. Danum Valley Field Centre has limited electricity hours from 7am to 11pm, other areas usually have 24 hour electricity but power cuts do happen. There is no or very limited phone signal at both Hornbill Lodge and Danum Valley Field Centre. Wifi (Starlink) is available in communal areas at Hornbill Lodge but there is no wifi at Danum Valley.
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.
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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To bookEmail- [email protected]
Hotline- (+60) 01112658581 |
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