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Revenue managementDynamic pricingChannel managementOTA managementBooking.com managementListing optimizationVacation rental marketingFull-day boat cruise on the Kinabatangan River, prime for wildlife spotting in Sabah's diverse ecosystem.
This full-day trip takes you along the Kinabatangan River, the second longest river in Malaysia, renowned for its rich biodiversity. Depart from Sandakan and travel by boat into the Sukau-Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, a prime area for wildlife viewing where you might encounter various species native to Borneo.
Bring your binoculars for a chance to see wildlife, with the river providing a unique vantage point. The trip focuses on exploring the natural environment, so dress comfortably and be ready for an outdoor adventure. Expect a full day on the water, where the scenery changes every turn and wildlife encounters are always a possibility.
Reviews
We participated in the 3D2N Kinabatangan experience, staying at the Borneo Natural Sukau Bulky Resort. The accommodation is well-kept with comfortable beds, and the buffet dinner was satisfactory, although breakfast fell short. However, many aspects were disappointing. The hosts and tour guides lacked warmth; while they weren't rude, their interactions felt minimal, making it seem like we were merely a source of income. This contrasts sharply with the welcoming nature of lodges we encountered in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand. The 3D2N tour felt pointless due to the limited offerings during this timeframe. A visit would be more worthwhile as 2 days and 1 night if animal sightings are the goal. The boat tours were repetitive, offering the same experience multiple times. The "trekking" amounted to a short 30-minute walk around the lodge, lacking variety. The environment was underwhelming, dominated by small trees and muddy patches filled with mosquitoes. We only spotted macaques attempting to snag food from the resort. It resembled a swamp rather than a vibrant jungle. The rainforest is confined to the length of the main river, while palm plantations dominate the rest of the area. Animals only thrive along the river because that's their only habitat. It's disheartening, and the palm trees are clearly visible on maps. The tour's accessibility via boat may prioritize profit over ethical wildlife viewing. Although we did see animals, it felt morally troubling, detracting from the experience for someone sensitive to these issues. We were unable to disembark and explore due to restrictions from palm plantation owners who want to hide the devastation they've caused. The noisy environment probably distresses the animals. Furthermore, the area lacks UNESCO protection, leaving it open to exploitation. If jungle wildlife is your interest, look for alternative options. Additionally, I learned from other tourists that they managed to pay less than we did for similar experiences.
We went on a day trip that turned out to be quite disappointing. Pick-up was at 11:45, but we didn’t arrive until 3 pm. Upon our arrival, the staff lacked communication and guidance. We waited around until 4 pm for a cruise that lasted only two hours. While we were aware that wildlife sightings aren't guaranteed, we only observed a couple of birds, a few proboscis monkeys (which were impressive), and numerous macaques. Wildlife was just not active that day, which can happen. We returned to the resort at 6 pm and waited until 7 pm for dinner, which was poor—cold and uninspiring. Our ride back at 7:30 pm was alarming; the driver was reckless, speeding on narrow, dark, and uneven roads, making me feel nauseous throughout the journey. Ultimately, it was a frustrating experience, especially after discovering we had overpaid compared to others on the trip. After speaking with fellow tour participants and our hostel reception, we learned this trip can be booked for significantly less (like 350 ringgit for a 2-day, 1-night stay) if arranged through your accommodation. We had thought booking with Viator would secure our spots, but it was a mistake; we felt completely taken advantage of. Additionally, I wouldn't advise the day trip as it involves around six hours of driving without any assurance of wildlife sightings. People we met suggested that morning trips offer better chances to see more animals, making an overnight stay a more worthwhile option.
We recently took a 2 days 1 night trip to Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort using our own vehicle and loved the scenic drive from Sandakan. The chalet accommodations were spacious and comfortable. The highlight was the evening cruise, where we saw hornbills, proboscis monkeys, and even rare elephants. We felt very fortunate to witness the elephants, as sightings are limited to just a few times a year. A special thanks to Borneo Calling for their outstanding booking service. This location comes highly recommended for its sightseeing and adventurous opportunities. Additionally, the food was excellent, and the staff were friendly and helpful.
My family's day trip to Kundasang, including Kinabalu Park, Poring, Alpaca Farm, and the Canopy Walk, was incredibly enjoyable. Our tour guide, Ah Keung, was professional, friendly, and helpful, while the driver was also very pleasant. I highly recommend Borneo Calling as a trustworthy tour agency.
The trip involves a two-hour drive on fairly average roads, followed by another two-hour return, for just a two-hour boat cruise. We faced engine issues and were stuck on the river for an hour. The tour operators handled it well and refunded half of our payment. However, since we opted for only a day tour, we missed many experiences and only saw monkeys, which was a bit disappointing. For a more fulfilling experience, I'd recommend staying for a couple of days and doing several river trips. We were hoping to spot pygmy elephants, but they hadn't been seen in a while, likely because the abundant water in December meant they didn't need to visit the river to drink. Your chances might improve during the dry season. Others who participated in the night walks reported thick mosquitoes and muddy trails, seeing minimal wildlife, mostly just sleeping birds. With wildlife tours, there's always an element of chance.
Expectations were not met; pick-up was at 11:45, followed by a 2-hour and 10-minute minibus ride to a riverside hotel. Once there, there was nothing scheduled until 4 PM when the boat trip began. This left us without a proper lunch, as only tea, coffee, and a bun were available by the river. We questioned why we didn’t leave at 1 PM instead. The two-hour boat ride was decent, and we saw monkeys and hornbills, but we missed the opportunity to see pygmy elephants since we didn’t go to areas where they had been recently spotted. Returning to the hotel for dinner and then back on the bus felt unreasonable. We had to persuade them to give us some fried rice for lunch and paid an extra 250 MYR for a jungle walk. Overall, it was disappointing, with 10 hours dedicated to dinner and just a two-hour boat ride.
The cruise felt somewhat disorganized. We had to wait an hour both before and after the trip, which was frustrating. There were no elephants, but we did see some monkeys and crocodiles.
The experience was fairly average, reflecting the price we paid. We were picked up from Sandakhan airport at 12:15 PM and arrived at the resort around 3 PM. While those staying overnight could check in, we found ourselves waiting until 4 PM without much to do. The cruise offered no guarantees for wildlife sightings, but we did spot a hornbill, kingfisher, eagle, and some monkeys. After that, we had an hour to kill until a mediocre dinner at 7 PM, followed by our departure at 7:30 PM. I appreciated the straightforward booking process via WhatsApp, and our driver provided a helpful ride back to our accommodation. Overall, it was an acceptable day if you find yourself with an extra day in Sandakhan.
The roads were in poor condition, so expect a lengthy drive. It's best not to drive after dark and to stay at the lodge. The river tour was decent but not particularly impressive.
I thoroughly enjoyed the river boat tour and the accompanying lodge visit for half a day. Our local river guide was very knowledgeable and provided important historical context about the area while also identifying several notable species along the river. I highly recommend this experience.
Reviews are paraphrased traveller feedback sourced from Viator. Original ratings and sentiment preserved.
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