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Revenue managementDynamic pricingChannel managementOTA managementBooking.com managementListing optimizationVacation rental marketingFull-day tour from Sandakan—visits to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre and Sun Bear Conservation Centre, with guided rainforest boardwalks.
This full-day guided tour takes you through the Kabili-Seppilok Forest Reserve, starting with the renowned Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. Here, you'll watch a documentary on the rehabilitation of orphaned orangutans before walking along the boardwalk to observe them at the feeding platform.
Next, visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre to see the world's smallest bear, which stands about 120 to 150 cm tall and weighs between 27 and 65 kg. After the tour, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel in Sandakan or to the Sandakan Airport—a convenient option for those flying out.
Reviews
The tour was one hour late for pickup and did not respond to any of our calls or texts. Our total time from pickup back to the hotel was two and a half hours. We paid $347 for four people, but from Sandakan, you could simply take a taxi, pay the entrance fee, and it would only cost $32 for four people. It feels unreasonable to charge such a high price for this tour. I recommend taking a taxi; it's much easier, and you can spend more than an hour at the park.
The care provided to these endangered species is clearly evident. The sun bear sanctuary has three areas where spotting the bears can be challenging, but it's certainly rewarding. I managed to capture a great photo of a sun bear resting on a log. The orangutans are amazing; you can see several at the nursery, while the number at the feeding tables varies based on your timing—in the morning, we observed many more than in the afternoon.
I was eager to see the sun bears during my trip to Borneo, and since it is located next to the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, it was logical to visit both. The entrance fee felt quite steep for what’s offered, and, like many attractions, there is an additional charge for using any camera. A new walkway leads to one of two viewing platforms, and that’s about the extent of it. Arriving at feeding time allowed me to capture some nice photos, but the entire visit wrapped up in just an hour.
I visited again recently after the gradual reopening following Covid and was delighted to see the ongoing impressive efforts at both sanctuaries in rehabilitating animals. The bears at the Conservation Centre seemed to be thriving, and the orphaned orangutans at Sepilok showcased excellent care. While it is disheartening that the number of orphaned apes seems to have risen since my last visit, their robust health offers hope for a better future. This tour is definitely worthwhile as it covers both nearby centres and highlights their outstanding work.
I had great sightings of both the orangutans and the sun bears, and I learned about the centers through informative videos. It was quite crowded during my visit in early October on a Sunday, mostly with Malaysian visitors. I imagine viewing might be tougher in the peak tourist season.
I had a wonderful day, and I want to extend a special thank you to Anzar, who was an excellent taxi driver and tour guide. He was very funny and helpful. His phone number is 017-821 7605.
It’s unfortunate that this shelter is needed, but it provides a nice home for the bears. Each bear has unique markings and traits that make it easy to identify them. Conversations with the founder reveal his deep commitment to the welfare of this vulnerable species. It's reassuring that they have a dedicated place like this.
Eddie expertly organized our three days in Sandakan. He is knowledgeable and a skilled driver, making our time enjoyable as we explored all the major attractions he recommended. We had memorable experiences like a night river cruise to see fireflies and local wildlife, such as wild crocodiles and monkeys, alongside a beautiful sunset. We visited the Sepilok Orangutans and Sun bears, and took a river cruise on the Kinabatangan to see various monkeys, including Macaques and Proboscis monkeys. On our final day, we enjoyed the Proboscis monkey sanctuary, marveling at their unique family dynamics and spotting three Hornbill birds. We also visited the Rainforest Discovery Centre and the War Memorial Park, both worthwhile stops. Eddie is a safe driver and provides excellent service at reasonable rates. His local expertise and friendship greatly enhanced our experience. Thank you, Eddie.
A lovely refuge for bears in need of care, set in a beautiful location. The small scale means you can explore it in about half an hour. Each bear has a spacious enclosure, and the stories behind them are quite remarkable.
Reviews are paraphrased traveller feedback sourced from Viator. Original ratings and sentiment preserved.
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