5D4N Kinabatangan river & Tabin Wildlife Safari
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Stay 2 nights at a riverside lodge on the banks of the Kinabatangan river and 2 nights at Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Malaysia's largest nature reserve. Visit Sepilok sanctuaries, join river cruises in search of the Kinabatangan's abundant wildlife, trek to Tabin's famous mud volcano, visit Lipad waterfall, join your guide for dawn, dusk and night walks as well as 4X4 safaris and take your time to relax surrounded by nature.
This trip is perfect for visitors on a mid-range budget looking to explore nature in comfort. Both lodges offer air-conditioned rooms with ensuite bathrooms and a good level of service. Wildlife spotting is done via a mixture of boat cruises, 4X4 safaris and short walks making the trip suitable for most fitness levels as well as families. |
OverviewB = Breakfast
L = Lunch D = Dinner |
Day 1: Pick up from Sandakan area around 8am, visit Sepilok orang-utan sanctuary and transfer to Kinabatangan river (L, D)
Day 2: Full day at Kinabatangan river (B, L, D) Day 3: Transfer from Kinabatangan river to Tabin Wildlife Reserve (B, L, D) Day 4: Full day at Tabin Wildlife Reserve (B, L, D) Day 5: Transfer from Tabin Wildlife Reserve to Lahad Datu airport or city arriving 3pm (B, L) |
Itinerary
DAY 1: SANDAKAN - SEPILOK - KINABATANGAN RIVER
Your 5 day adventure will start with pick up from Sandakan hotels or airport between 8am - 8.30am or hotels in Sepilok from 08.45 - 9am. Head first to the orang-utan sanctuary to watch the younger, playful orang-utans 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. From there you will travel 2 hours overland to Hornbill Lodge and have lunch on arrival. Check-into your room and take a moment to relax before heading out 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 - L, D
* Highly recommended: Night River Cruises can be added at the lodge.
* Highly recommended: Night River Cruises can be added at the lodge.
DAY 2: KINABATANGAN RIVER
As day dawns, join your second river cruise and watch as the river comes to life. Keep an eye out for bird life including Borneo’s endemic 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 or even orang-utans themselves if you are lucky! Enjoy lunch overlooking the river and a chance to rest before joining your afternoon river cruise in search of this 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
DAY 3: KINABATANGAN RIVER - LAHAD DATU - TABIN WILDLIFE RESERVE
Wake up early and join your guide for a final dawn river cruise then return to the lodge and enjoy breakfast overlooking the river before departing at 9.30am to Lahad Datu, estimated arrival time at Tabin office in Lahad Datu: 11.30am. Your transfer into Tabin will depart at 12pm, giving you a chance to stretch your legs in between.
Upon arrival check into your Tabin Wildlife Resort Chalet and take a walk to explore the local Lipad River area, home to a surprising variety of birds, insects and small mammals. Discover the rich variety of jungle herbs, some endemic, used for generations by local folks for the treatment of various ailments.
In the afternoon, trek with your guide from the Elephant trail to the active Lipad mud volcano which provides a mineral salt lick for wildlife, arrive at the elevated bare area of the mud volcano which is frequented by wildlife and birds. Try to identify the multitude of animal footprints here. The adventurous can try the effects of the volcanic mud, said to be responsible for a fine complexion. Trek from the mud volcano back to the main road. After dinner join the 4X4 night safari drive looking for nocturnal animals (L,D)
Upon arrival check into your Tabin Wildlife Resort Chalet and take a walk to explore the local Lipad River area, home to a surprising variety of birds, insects and small mammals. Discover the rich variety of jungle herbs, some endemic, used for generations by local folks for the treatment of various ailments.
In the afternoon, trek with your guide from the Elephant trail to the active Lipad mud volcano which provides a mineral salt lick for wildlife, arrive at the elevated bare area of the mud volcano which is frequented by wildlife and birds. Try to identify the multitude of animal footprints here. The adventurous can try the effects of the volcanic mud, said to be responsible for a fine complexion. Trek from the mud volcano back to the main road. After dinner join the 4X4 night safari drive looking for nocturnal animals (L,D)
DAY 4: TABIN WILDLIFE RESERVE
Start with an optional early morning bird walk to discover some of Tabin’s rich collection of almost 300 bird species. After breakfast, trek through the lush green rainforest known for its rich diversity of plants and animal species to visit Lipad Waterfall. Take a dip in the natural pool and enjoy a natural and refreshing shower under the waterfall. Alternatively explore the surrounding vegetation or simply relax. Enjoy some free time at the lodge in the afternoon then, as the sun sets, go on a dusk drive to look for nocturnal wildlife coming before returning to the lodge for dinner and an after dinner night walk on the nature trail nearby the resort (B,L,D)
DAY 5: TABIN WILDLIFE RESERVE - LAHAD DATU
After breakfast, free and easy until check out. You may opt to take up a dawn drive or jungle walk to look out for wildlife that is active at this time of the day. (Optional activity not included in package: Dawn Drive and Jungle Walk). Transfer out is at 1.30pm after lunch. You will be back in Lahad Datu by 3pm - 3.30pm for your onward journey. (B, L)
Accommodation
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Spend your first 2 nights at Hornbill Lodge, River Junkie's newly renovated Kinabatangan river lodge. Built on a small hill adjacent to the main building, the lodge offers 16 spacious River Chalets featuring extra large beds, air-conditioning, modern ensuite bathrooms, and private balconies with sweeping river views.
Continue your journey for 2 nights at Tabin Wildlife Resort, a well-established jungle lodge overlooking a small river in Tabin Wildlife Reserve. The lodge features 10 River Lodges built at ground-level and overlooking the river and 6 Hill Lodges on the hillside and connected to the main building by a wooden boardwalk. All rooms have airconditioning, ensuite bathrooms and private balconies. |
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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 the restaurant and reception area in both lodges.
Pricing per person
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5D4N Kinabatangan & Tabin Wildlife Safari
From RM5050- per person, twin share, based on min 2 pax * High season supplement of RM200 per person applies for stays at Hornbill Lodge in April, July, August and September. * Pricing valid until 31st Dec 2025 * Additional dawn, dusk or night 4X4 drive at Tabin RM100 per person * Transfers to other destinations in Sabah - prices available upon request Have more time? Why not add on a night at Turtle island at the beginning of your trip or stay in Danum Valley after you finish - just ask us for info. |
PRICE INCLUDES
PRICES EXCLUDES
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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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Additional trip info
Who is this trip suitable for? Jungle walks at the Kinabatangan river and Tabin Wildlife Reserve require a moderate level of fitness and you should be prepared for hot & humid weather conditions.
Children are welcome to join this tour.
Solo travellers - single supplements apply, please contact us for a quotation.
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.
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 2.30 - 3pm 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. Lodges on this tour offer 24 hour electricity but power cuts do happen. There is no or very limited phone signal at Hornbill Lodge but there is wifi (Starlink) in communal areas. Tabin has limited phone reception and wifi in communal areas.
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 this tour.
Solo travellers - single supplements apply, please contact us for a quotation.
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.
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 2.30 - 3pm 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. Lodges on this tour offer 24 hour electricity but power cuts do happen. There is no or very limited phone signal at Hornbill Lodge but there is wifi (Starlink) in communal areas. Tabin has limited phone reception and wifi in communal areas.
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.
To book |
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