Sepilok, Selingan & Kinabatangan River 5D4N

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Sandakan – MY Nature Resort, Sepilok (L/D)

Pick up from Sandakan airport / hotel and transfer to MY Nature Resort at Sepilok. This resort is set in 25 acres of rainforest bordering the Sepilok forest reserve, a protected area rich in wildlife. Check in to your chalet and have lunch at the resort’s restaurant. Then free at leisure to relax in the resort’s rainforest setting or have a swim in the pool.

Red giant flying squirrels are resident within the grounds of MY Nature Resort. They come out almost every night but sightings are not guaranteed. Head to the platform near the restaurant before 1800 hours. Resort staff will point out which trees the squirrels sleep in and let you know when they start to come out of their hiding places. If you are lucky watch the giant squirrels emerge from their nests and glide across the sky. Dinner and overnight at MY Nature Resort.

Note: If you flight arrives before 0900 hours you have the option of visiting Sepilok Orangutan and Sun Bear Centres on the morning of Day 1.  If your flight arrives after 0900 hours you visit the orangutan and sun bear centres on Day 3.

Day 2 Sepilok – Selingan Island  (B/L/D)

Breakfast in the resort. 0900 hours transfer to the jetty for a one-hour trip by speedboat to Selingan Turtle Island. Check in at one of the chalets on the island and have lunch at the restaurant. The afternoon is free for relaxing, bird watching or for snorkeling. In the evening, a park ranger will escort you to watch one of the green turtles that have come ashore to lay their eggs. Overnight at the park chalets.

Day 3 Selingan Island – Sepilok – Kinabatangan River Abai (B/L/D)

Early breakfast at 0630 hours. At 0700 hours depart Selingan by boat for Sandakan. Arrive at Sandakan jetty and drive for approximately 30 minutes to the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary where captive orangutans are reintroduced into the wild. You will be able to observe them at their feeding stations in the rainforest and at the nursery (if open). Watch the feeding session at 1000 hours. Then proceed to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC). This centre rescues captured sun bears and is involved in sun bear conservation, welfare rehabilitation and education. Over 30 sun bears live at the centre in the bear house and outdoor enclosures.

1115 hours depart Sepilok and proceed to a boat jetty in Sandakan. 1200 hours depart for a 1-hour boat cruise up the Lower Kinabatangan River, passing pristine mangrove forests and searching for wildlife. Arrive at Abai Jungle Lodge and have lunch. Free to relax or explore the surrounding area on the nature boardwalk. At 1630 hours go on a cruise in search of proboscis monkeys, birds, reptiles and other wildlife. As night falls witness the glittering of fireflies on the mangrove trees. Return to the lodge for dinner.  After dinner, go on a guided night walk around the Lodge’s nature boardwalk and search for insects, birds and other wildlife. Overnight at the Abai Jungle Lodge (non air-con room).

Day 4 Pitas Lake – Sukau – Menanggul River (B/L/D)

0630 hours – depart on a boat trip for bird watching and wildlife viewing at the nearby Pitas Lake. Return to lodge around 0800 hours and have breakfast. After breakfast free at leisure or enjoy the boardwalk.  Then cruise upriver to Sukau, searching for wildlife along the way. Arrive Sukau, check-in to Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge and have lunch. 1630 hours go on a river cruise up Kinabatangan River to the Menanggul River in search of proboscis monkeys, birds and other wildlife. Return to the lodge for dinner. Overnight at the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge (non air-con room).

Day 5  Sukau – Sandakan (B/L)

After breakfast depart the lodge at 0700 hours and return to Sandakan by boat. The 2½ hour journey offers another chance to see wildlife. Around 0830 hours stop at Abai Jungle Lodge for a short break before continuing your journey downriver. Arrive at Sandakan jetty and have lunch at a local restaurant. Then be dropped off at your hotel or the airport.