Two-day wildlife tour in Sandakan with river cruise

Reviews

What travellers say4.2 · 23 total

• JTdxbSin

  Beautiful Rainforest.. almost untouched and worth it.

  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.

• andrewspiers

  Beautiful rainforest, river trip.

  The guide was outstanding, and although we didn’t spot any pygmy elephants, we encountered many monkeys including proboscis, silver, and capuchin. We also observed hornbills, alligators, a python resting on a branch, an orangutan with her baby in a nest, sandpipers, a snakehead bird, eagles, and a monitor lizard. Overall, it was an excellent trip.

• jeaneelu

  A beautiful location but it rains alot!

  The river area is stunning, but the weather can be quite challenging. Our afternoon boat ride was limited due to heavy rain, and we learned the morning ride faced fog and low visibility. I had hoped to see pygmy elephants, but we were informed they are no longer present. We did spot some monkeys along the riverbanks, but since they can be seen in many other locations, the trip didn't seem worth it. Perhaps you’ll have better luck.

• donmK2660DA

  Total rip off - book directly through Sukau Bilit Resort and Sepilok Centre instead.

  This experience was a total disappointment. The overnight stay at Sukau Bilit Resort and the Kinabatangan river safaris were the only positives; however, you can book these directly with the resort for significantly less money, including transportation, which makes this tour seem unnecessary. The transfer driver was not a safari guide, just someone shuttling us around, so paying extra is not worth it. The visit to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre was nice, but we missed seeing the sun bears as advertised. It's easier and cheaper to arrange this on your own through local taxi services. Unfortunately, much of the tour felt like a waste. We were not taken to the caves, which were one of the main attractions we expected to see, and the sights in Sandakan did not justify the cost. Instead of the advertised English tea cafe, we were taken to a dirty restaurant. Additionally, our driver, Ahmad, exhibited unprofessional behavior, being dismissive to my partner and constantly distracted by his phone during the drive. His frequent photo requests felt intrusive. After requesting a partial refund for what we missed, we received no response from the company after several weeks. It's best to steer clear of MAM Holidays Malaysia and this particular trip.

• Julie_B

  Even though only an overnight stay it was crammed full of activities

  I had a great time during my overnight stay, which was packed with activities. There were plenty of options to choose from, and none of the activities felt rushed. I even spotted a lot of wildlife, including a baby crocodile.

• masakon212

  Eddie Nazreen, a kind and friendly driver in Sandakan

  During my trip to Sandakan for an individual nature tour, I had a wonderful experience observing endangered animals in their natural habitats. Highlights included a feeding session at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center, a troop of proboscis monkeys, and a rare glimpse of a Malay bear. Since I was traveling solo and staying just one night, I reached out to Eddie in advance to discuss the sites I wanted to visit. He carefully tailored the tour to fit my limited time. In addition to the scheduled activities, Eddie took me to local food markets and buffet lunches frequented by locals, giving me a unique experience that other guides might not provide. The vehicle was clean and new, making for a great ride. I highly recommend Eddie.

• Antonella_M

  Interesting tour

  The tour of the Sepilok reserve and the natural surroundings of the Kinabatangan River was truly fascinating. Our taxi driver was very kind and attentive. However, I would have appreciated a guide who could share more insights about the magical sites we explored. Overall, it was a great experience and I highly recommend it.

• emma_s

  Amazing

  This was an incredible trip. Our driver Ahmed was outstanding and went above and beyond to assist us. We enjoyed every moment and managed to see so much during this wonderful experience.

• 970prashantb

  Great stay on the banks of kinabantangan river

  Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort is an excellent choice for accommodation alongside the fantastic river cruises. The night cruise was particularly impressive, and I had the opportunity to observe crocodiles, as well as birds such as kingfishers and owls.

• fredfS8119DC

  Shocking customer service

  The safari experience itself wasn't bad, but the customer service was appalling. I left my trainers on the bus, and they offered no assistance in retrieving them. I would not recommend this.

Reviews are paraphrased traveller feedback sourced from Viator. Original ratings and sentiment preserved.