Top 5 luxury & private things to do in Sandakan

1. Three-day wildlife tour and river cruise at Bilit Lodge

Three days, two nights at Bilit Lodge — river safaris to see orangutans, monkeys, and pygmy elephants accompanied by guided night walks in Borneo’s rainforest.

2. Private transfer to or from Sandakan Airport, city, or Sepilok

Direct, air-conditioned transfer from Sandakan Airport, city, or Sepilok to your accommodation; luggage assistance included.

“Excellent service with effective communication, especially since our evening flight was delayed by 20 minutes. It made the pickup from a smaller airport quite convenient.”— Steven_F

3. Half-day private city tour of Sandakan

Four hours of sightseeing with a private guide — visit the Australian War Memorial, Sandakan Central Market, and Agnes Keith House, plus enjoy a local lunch.

“The half-day city tour is essential for anyone visiting Sandakan for the first time. It provides a comprehensive overview of the city’s highlights and helps you navigate its layout. Our guide Siti and driver Ahmad were outstanding; both spoke excellent English and were friendly, knowledgeable, and entertaining. We had engaging conversations, and I particularly appreciated that they didn’t rush us at any of the stops, allowing us to linger longer at certain sites if we wished. This flexibility is a great advantage of a private tour. For instance, we visited Sandakan Memorial Park the morning before ANZAC Day, which is significant for Australians as it is a day of remembrance. At the time of our visit, there was a rehearsal for the Dawn Service, and Siti kindly let us stay for that. Since ANZAC Day was the main reason for our trip to Sandakan, this tour and our time at the Memorial Park were perfectly timed and a major highlight of our journey. It was worth every penny.”— Jennifer_T

4. Full-day tour of Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Centre

Full-day tour from Sandakan — visit Sepilok Orang Utan, the Bornean Sun Bear facility, and the Rainforest Discovery Centre with family or friends.

“An excellent personalized tour. The experience was informative, unique, and enjoyable. I am very grateful to our guide and driver.”— Peter_R

5. Two-day wildlife tour in Sandakan with river cruise

Two days exploring Sandakan — visit Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, enjoy a Kinabatangan river cruise, with private transfers and meals included.

“I arranged my trip through Asia Green Travel with no complications. I stayed in a mixed dorm with air conditioning at Borneo Natural Sukau Biiit Resort. The cost was RM371, which included all meals, four river cruises, two night walks, and one day jungle walk, along with transfers to and from the airport or Sandakan town. I noticed that the river cruises on the first two days visit different locations, so it's beneficial to be with the same group to experience the various routes; this isn't explicitly mentioned, so stay aware. I recommend bringing small binoculars or renting one, as well as rubber boots, which are also available for rent. Make sure to pack a good mosquito repellent (Deet doesn't work, by the way) for the jungle walks, and a flashlight for the night excursions. It's cool at sunrise, so a light jacket or windbreaker is a good idea to have on hand.”— JTdxbSin