kinabatangan river cruise from kota kinabalu

However, no need to worry! Myself, wife and son have recently completed a Kinabatangan River tour and feel compelled to write to confirm what an exceptional experience the whole event turned out to be. Again, being on a boat in the middle of the Borneo jungle while the sun is setting is magical. After breakfast depart the lodge at 0930 hours and return to Sandakan by road. Dont forget to stock up on food and snacks as well. hornbills often fly over the chalets) and wildlife is often spotted within the resort's 25 acres of rainforest. There were a number of competing boats on the river at the time but Ramsan seemed to have an added insight into where the best spotting places were and boy did we see some wildlife. Despite the early hour, were intently observing the river banks to spot wildlife. When we returned we were treated to another cracking meal prior to departure back to the hotel. Wondering how to get to the Kinabatangan River? The pygmy elephants migrate throughout the year, following a traditional corridor, and the top three places to see pygmy elephants in Sabah, Borneo are as follows:-. Remember there is never any guarantee how many and which animals youll see. You will be supplied a life jacket. Estimated time of return to Sandakan city is 2200hrs. After going through the process of organizing transport myself, Ive prepared this detailed guide to help you reach Sukau either by independent travel or on a multi-day organized trip from Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Semporna, or Sepilok. It's 560 kilometres long and starts in Borneo's interior before making its way to the sea. We paid RM 530 for an adult and RM 215 for a child. We are going in November so it is not high season. Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Tour | Borneo Calling Internal flights operate daily from Kota Kinabalu (BKI) and Tawau to Sandakan Airport. On the way you will make a brief stop typically at Kota Kinabatangan the nearest town from Nature Lodge Kinabatangan, to refresh (toilet stop plus cafe facilities available). There are two other options for getting to Kinabatangan River from Sandakan. Kinabatangan River (Sabah) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go Youre absolutely free to skip something if youre too tired. However, we saw more than our fair share of animals, many of which are incredibly rare. How to arrange your own Kinabatangan experience? Named "The Little Kinabatangan" because of the parallel experience it offers, alike to Kinabantangan's river cruise, minus the hassle of air flights or a 7 hour overland journey. Although the guides are experts in wildlife spotting and know the jungle very well, these animals are free to go wherever they want (luckily!). Kinabatangan is a long river in Sabah state - precisely 560 km running from Southwest Sabah to its outlet at the Sulu sea. Your Nature Guide will provide a wildlife & conservation briefing in advance of your river cruise (if you arrive at the Lodge after 3:30 pm this briefing will happen after the Kinabatangan River cruise. Little Kinabatangan Day Tour - Visit to the Weston Wetlands. For this option, you still need to have booked a stay at a Lodge near the Kinabatangan River and arranged a transfer with the Lodge from your drop off point. 88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia Tel: +60-88-486800 Fax: +60-88-486880. Sandakan is closer to Kinabatangan, but we flew to Kota Kinabalu because we wanted to spend some time there as well. It was a buffet for dinner and the food was good, the toilet facilities are undercover, reasonably clean, but are basic and expect a few spiders. Other meals not stated. We were also told that it's a higher chance to spot more birds, but I think we saw just as many in the afternoons. Bring cash before you come here! I am having a difficult time finding information on local guides/ boaters. Kota Kinabalu Branch Office. From here, you'll need to take an overland bus detailed below, or a private transfer to Sukau. Evening at leisure. In Borneo, there are around 11,000 orangutans in Sabah and 1,600 in Sarawak. Amazing post! You have successfully joined our subscriber list. If weather, or other factors (e.g. The Kinabatangan River is the second longest river in Malaysia (and longest in Sabah). These animals are wild, which means they dont pop up every time you want them to. Tel: +60-82-245175 Fax: +60-82-422626 / 234212 Email: info@borneoadventure.com, Block E-27-3A, KK Times Square, off Coastal Highway 88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia Tel: +60-88-486800 Fax: +60-88-486880, Borneo Adventure Sdn. Life jackets will be provided for your river cruise. They use smaller boats and cook more local food. 12:30hrs: You will then be transferred by minibus to Kinabatangan Nature Lodge which is located on the banks of the Kinabatangan River in the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, a ~ 2.5-hour journey (including stop). 11:50hrs 12:30hrs: You will stop at Mango Garden Restaurant at Nature Lodge Sepilok where you will have a chance to have lunch (lunch is included for new bookings from 8th August 2018) and have a toilet break. I'm not a biologist by any means, but I've categorized these species as common based on what I was told by the guide and which species we spotted on every trip. Seriously though, avoid the embarrassing situation and make sure you bring sufficient cash for your accommodation and Sukau river cruises. There will be no refund if a trip itinerary needs to be adapted on the day due to safety reasons. Overnight stay at the Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge (non-air conditioned). Dont expect youll be able to check everything on your bucket list. Not as good for the environment on the other hand. In general, I am finding it quite hard to arrange this Sabah trip, partly because many companies are not responding to my emails and I do not have credit to call them! Your flight in to Sandakan should arrive not later than 8 am on Day 1. In Sukau, there is one particular trail that I believe is a must. Overview. If thats not possible, from Sandakan, take the bus to Semporna or Lahad Datu and get off at the Sukau Junction. First, check if your accommodation can arrange a transfer from Sandakan or Sepilok. For independent travellers wanting to arrange their own way to the Kinabatangan River, there arent any direct public transport services to the two main villages on the river which provide access to Lodges on the Kinabatangan River Bilit & Sukau. Here, you can avoid the hefty prices and still get a decent Nasi Goreng or Mie Goreng for 7 Ringgit. Your email address will not be published. Staying overnight in Sandakan or Sepilok could be a better option. The guides listen to the sounds of the jungle to spot the wildlife. Of course, since this is just a Kinabatangan River blog post and not a wildlife encyclopedia, it doesn't list every single animal you might encounter. Below we list some popular homestays that have great reviews. If you're not a fan of bumpy overland options, Air Asia also has cheap flights starting at $50 per person from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan Airport. Alcoholic or soft drinks at the Lodge. Do you have the link for the Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort? Read more below to get the details. The trip from Kota Kinabalu to the Sukau junction takes roughly 6 hours by bus and follows the highway to Semporna. As the Kinabatangan River is located towards the east coast of Sabah the starting point for most tours to the River is from Sandakan (Sandakan Airport or from a hotel in Sandakan). From Sepilok, wave at the bus to Lahad Datu or Semporna that is passing by at the Sepilok Junction. "The Little Kinabatangan" - Proboscis Monkey & Fireflies River Cruise If you plan a Kinabatangan River experience, here are some useful tips to make the best out of your stay. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. How to do this on a budget, where to sleep, how to get there and so much more! If you'd like to save time & energy with public transport, book this 2D1N Trip to Sandakan. Franklin Falls Chao Phraya River Nyhavn Ginza Busch Gardens Old Waialua Sugar Mill YETI Flagship Ocala Downtown Square Forest Park Galatasaray Tram Ancient City Tlos and Saklikent Gorge from Fethiye Faro Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour by Tourist Train Albufeira Beach BBQ with Caves and Coastline Cruise Wine Tasting Cruise in St. Augustine Aruba Sunset. Kinabatangan River Cruise: Best Tours And - Dive Into Malaysia Its such a shame to see how much jungle has disappeared. Definitely one of the highlights of our Malaysian travels. Its amazing how the local guides spot the wildlife! I hope that this travel guide to visiting the Kinabatangan River and experiencing the incredible river cruise has inspired you to visit this biodiverse region of Sabah. You will join guided treks into the forest in search of wildlife (including orangutans). The river is located in the Sandakan Division in northeastern Sabah and runs from the interior Sabahan mountains to the saltwater mangrove wetlands on the shores of the Sulu Sea. Since Sepilok is on the way, Choy will also pick you up from your accommodation in Sepilok. Are you planning to add a Kinabatangan River Cruise to your Sabah itinerary? Join my mailing list today & get 3X FREE custom travel Lightroom presets + receive top travel tips, destination guides, & travel photography content directly to your inbox. Locals are trying hard to recover that. internal flights included trying to organize my trip in the last 10 days, I assumed that I would get away with a low budget, and instead I noticed high prices, especially in Borneo and that you have to book in advance, so also choosing the stops before being there (even if I have 3 fixed weeks, with return to work), makes you lose that semblance of adventure that between South America and South East Asia, I had in my previous travels. Air Asia and Malaysia Airlines operate daily flights from these airports to Sandakan. The bus ride takes long (about 6 hours) and passes Mount Kinabalu which is the interesting part. Yes, driving yourself would give you a more flexible itinerary for Sabah and shouldn't be any problem. And that way youll have the most chance to spot the big five of Borneo. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. 3D2N Borneo Wildlife Safari Excursion at Kinabatangan River | Borneo Flyingby plane from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan is by far the quickest option to reach the Kinabatangan river. How do I get to the Kinabatangan River Independently? I strive to capture images that tell a story and captivate those with a connection to travel and adventure. It will be a bit more expensive than by bus, but still very affordable with Air Asia. I would like to book a 3-5 night cruise with a local company. But, more importantly, also includes transport in and out of the river area, which is the most difficult thing to arrange. First of all, it rains a lot in the area! How far is it from Kinabatangan River to Danum Valley Feild Centre Office in Lahad Datu? Very handy, especially with kids. The perfect city trip to Aachen in Germany. Luckily, tourists staying in nearby Sandakan or Sepilok (to see the Orangutan conservation area) can visit the Kinabatangan on an organized 2-day trip. This includes hiring a car to drive to Sandakan, using a local taxi or via an organised private coach transfer. The Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary was founded by the Sabah government in 2006 and safeguards 27,800 hectares of the area. Recommended Packing List For The Trip Kinabatangan River Cruise Trip. Sukau is located on the banks of the Kinabatangan River and smack-bang in the middle of the Kinabatangan Conservation Area. Multi-destination trips Combine your stay in Danum Valley with a trip to the Kinabatangan River, Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Sepilok and more! Airfare: KK - Sandakan KK, alcoholic beverages, juices, camera & video fees. Do you know any other way to organize this without spending way more money than I have? For example, we didnt see the Pygmy Elephants. As well, the companies are often based elsewhere and not local. Rather than hacking through the jungle, the best way to see Borneo's rich wildlife is on a river cruise. Ask your hotel or resort to pick you up in Sandakan, if possible even the same day. This also includes Danum Valley, Tabin, Selingan island and Lankayan Island. Note that it's a good idea to spend at least a night in Sukau once you arrive if you are traveling indepently. The night cruises are the most unique trips. The reason you come here is to spot wildlife of course. It is clean but old and very basic. While it's possible to stay in Sandakan and take tours into the Kinabatangan, staying on the Kinabatangan River is in my opinion, a must-do on any Sabah itinerary! Arrive at Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge around 1330 and have lunch. The rainforest in this area has been severely reduced by the palm oil industry, forcing all the animals to live near the river which increases the chances of seeing them. About Us | Safety | FAQ's | Payments | T&C's | P&P | My Account | Reset Password | BF - Sea | BF - Land, Copyright 2023 Borneo Dream | Scuba diving, Snorkelling and Wildlife Tours. However, you need to hope that a van . Be ready for an early awakening, as your morning cruise leaves at 6 am sharp! If so, the main focus of your river cruises will be to find them. At Tabin, there are reasonable chances of seeing an orangutan by joining guided treks into the forest but they are not as high as Danum or the Kinabatangan. However, if basic is ok for you, this is your place. As with all wildlife encounters, sightings cannot be guaranteed but the more days you spend at a Lodge on the Kinabatangan River (and therefore more river cruises you join) the increased chance of seeing the rarer wildlife finds like the pygmy elephant. The atmosphere was great at the lodge and we met lots of nice, friendly people. Its chocolate coloured water is surrounded by forest which wildlife call home. There will also be plenty of opportunities to see birdlife such as the White Egret, Oriental Darter, Rhinoceros Hornbills and the Buffey Fish Owl. The companies I find on the internet are very expensive and need to be booked ahead of time. Hello would you mind stating which blog platform you're using? They have lost their land to the multinationals and try to earn an income out of tourism. Dinner and overnight at MY Nature Resort. Tour includes transfers and . We paid around $130/120 for an adult and $65/60 for a child, including all jungle treks and river cruises, accommodation and food. Private Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour. 16:00hrs: You will join your late afternoon Kinabatangan River cruise in search of wildlife along the Kinabatangan River (for ~ 2 hours). If you can brave the rampant mosquitos, you'll be able to spot fireflies flying around almost everywhere in Sukau at night time. I am organizing a girls trip to Indonesia and Borneo with four other ladies. Their rooms are a bit more comfortable than the budget options. The Easy Option: Book an Organised Tour to the Kinabatangan River, How To Get to Kinabatangan River Independently, How to Book a Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sukau, What to Expect on a Sukau Kinabatangan River Cruise, More Photos From Sukau and The Kinabatangan River, 11 Best Hotels in Kota Kinabalu - Where to Stay in 2023, Getting to Mabul Island - Budget Travel Guide, Kinabatangan Caves - Elephant Trail Hike to Sukau Caves, Sabah Itinerary 7 Days - Top Things to Do in Sabah Borneo in 2023, Sabah's Bohey Dulang Island: Guide to Island Hopping & The Epic Viewpoint Hike, What to Do in Kinabalu Park - Complete Trail Guide, Long-tailed Macaque Monkeys (there are thousands), Leaf Monkeys (and different species variants). We have a diving trip booked from Semporna around 14 days after we arrive in KK, We are thinking about a hire car and self drive to try to cover these attractions on the way to Semporna by road, what are your thoughts? The Kinabatangan River, known as Sungai Kinabatangan in Malay, is the longest river in Sabah, and the second-longest in Malaysia with a total length of 560 km. We saw many insects, frogs,a palm civet cat, heard the monkeys and spotted lots of birds sleeping on branches. We saw palm plantations for hundreds of kilometres in a row. The Kinabatangan River - RIVER JUNKIE TOURS 18:00hrs: Around 6pm you will return back to the Kinabatangan Nature Lodge. East Coast Wildlife Adventure - RIVER JUNKIE TOURS Below I'll detail the most cost-effective and convenient options for reaching the Kinabatangan River.
River House Middletown, Pa, Freshers Fair London 2022, Karachi To Kohat Bus Service Contact Number, 1080 Sandwick Way, Folsom, Ca, Homes For Sale In Edgerton, Ks, Articles K