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Revenue managementDynamic pricingChannel managementOTA managementBooking.com managementListing optimizationVacation rental marketingThree days, two nights in Sukau — wildlife cruises on the Kinabatangan River, rainforest exploration, and opportunities to see unique flora and fauna in Malaysian Borneo.
This 3-day, 2-night journey takes you deep into the heart of the Kinabatangan River, renowned for its rich biodiversity. Over the course of your time here, you’ll cruise along the chocolate-brown waters, observing the vibrant wildlife that calls this rainforest home.
Expect to encounter species such as hornbills and pygmy elephants in their natural habitat. Accommodation is typically riverside, offering opportunities for night walks and dawn excursions in the ancient rainforest. Prepare for a real immersion into one of the oldest rainforests on Earth — remember to pack insect repellent and comfortable walking shoes.
Reviews
This was a fantastic and unique adventure in the heart of the jungle. Although the weather wasn't always ideal, it added something special to the rainforest experience. We spotted three of the Big 5 and appreciated that these are wild animals, not confined like in a zoo. The food and staff were excellent. Overall, it was a thrilling experience and I highly recommend it.
We completed the 3D2N river cruise and it was an incredible experience! We spotted orangutans, numerous crocodiles, and a variety of monkeys and birds. Our guide, Aloi, enhanced the trip, and the rest of the staff were also very friendly. We created countless wonderful memories on this journey!
The journey to the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary via the Kinabatangan River takes approximately 2.5 hours from Sandakan or Lahad Datu. Accommodations are in a stilted resort with clean rooms and comfortable beds, although the washing facilities are separate. Meals are provided in the lobby, and activities include river boat rides and about an hour of jungle walks, with ample time for relaxation. While the trip wasn't terrible, it fell short of my expectations. The presence of elephants helped salvage the experience, but the river rides emphasized birds and monkeys, which can be seen elsewhere in Sabah. We missed out on spotting crocodiles. Additionally, the view of rainforests being cleared for palm oil was disheartening, as they should be protected. The group size felt too large, with up to a dozen boats on the river simultaneously, including those from other resorts. Nonetheless, the staff and guides were welcoming.
Experiencing this in Borneo is essential. The staff is fantastic, and the deluxe rooms are both clean and cozy. I highly recommend extending your stay to two nights to enhance your chances of seeing the big five animals. Free rainboots are available for borrowing.
Exercise caution when booking with this company. They claim to provide a “lowest price guaranteed” but do not clearly indicate the actual accommodation location, which should have raised concerns. After making my reservation, I was inundated with messages urging me to upgrade from what was described as a “very basic” stay. The itinerary sent to me upon arrival did not match the original offer, and I found out that I paid more than double what I would have spent booking directly with the hotel. It's quite disappointing and misleading. I cannot recommend this service.
Our experience here was disappointing, and we find it difficult to recommend this place without reservations for other travelers. While the property looks great in pictures, the food was decent, and we enjoyed the cruises, it was the most expensive hotel we stayed at in Malaysia yet still felt overpriced for what was provided. At $400 AUD for twin share per night, we faced numerous extra charges for Wi-Fi, night cruises, key deposits, night jungle walks, and tourist tax. We did get a refund for the tourist tax, as it was advertised that local taxes were included. Our room lacked a fridge, kettle, shampoo, conditioner, and fresh fruit, which are expected amenities at that price point. The reception staff were friendly and tried to assist when we found discrepancies between the Trip Advisor advertisement and the actual offerings. They advertised "free flowing drinks," but we only received access to hot and cold water. After multiple discussions with Wadi Rum tours, they finally agreed to cover our drinks. Our river cruise guide’s limited English meant we missed a lot of potential information about the wildlife, as we struggled to identify animals by the time we understood what he was pointing out. It seemed that Intrepid travel groups had better guides with more perks. Unfortunately, we did not see any orangutans or pygmy elephants, but that's the unpredictability of nature. The jungle walk was just a short stroll through some trees with little to see except leftovers from an old elephant, which was amusing but not fulfilling. The air conditioning in our new huts failed midday, leading to an uncomfortable heat during my nap, compounded by a very hot room with direct sunlight and tin roofing. Although flies at meal times were bothersome, the mosquitoes were surprisingly manageable. While there was ample downtime, the heat made it challenging to relax comfortably anywhere except our rooms. A pool would have been refreshing, especially since the river isn't safe for swimming due to crocodiles. We had anticipated eco-living for a couple of days with the possibility of seeing Malaysia's Big 5 in their natural habitat, but the reality didn't meet our hopes. Opting for a 2D1N stay might be more worthwhile than the 3D2N we chose. It became clear that visiting orangutans at Sepilok, Sun Bears at the Conservation Center, and Proboscis monkeys at Lubak Bay Sanctuary offered better value for our time and money. However, the sunrises and sunsets over the water were truly stunning.
I had an amazing 3-day, 2-night trip booked here. The staff and food were excellent, and our tour guide, Ronel, was incredibly knowledgeable about the environment and wildlife. He was fully dedicated to ensuring we had a fantastic experience. During our river cruises, we quickly spotted wild orangutans and large crocodiles on the banks. Although we didn't see any elephants, we did find their tracks in the jungle. Best regards from the Dutchman.
I arranged a 3-day, 2-night stay in Sukau, and everything went exceptionally well. The meals were good, the cruises were top-notch, and we spotted the Big Five along with much more. The accommodation was basic but included all essentials, especially air conditioning. Suggestions for enhancement include: - The guide could share more information during the cruises. - The breakfast could be improved. - Our cottages were located near the parking lot, making them less pleasant compared to those under the palm trees. - On the second day, there was a long gap from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM with nothing planned; we had to walk 30 minutes to a nearby café to pass the time. It might be beneficial to add another activity during that period.
Reviews are paraphrased traveller feedback sourced from Viator. Original ratings and sentiment preserved.
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