Sandakan: 3D2N Bilit Lodge River Cruise and Wildlife Tour

4.5(9 reviews)
SandakanMalaysia
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Overview

  • Duration:3 days 2 nights
  • Travelers:2 - 10 guests
  • Tour Type:Group tour, Package tour
  • Language:English, Malay
  • Start from:Sandakan, Airport, Sepilok Area
  • End at:Sandakan, Airport, Sepilok Area
  • Payments:Pay Advance
  • Cancellation:Non-refundable
Discover the heart of Borneo's wild jungle at Bilit Lodge, where you'll spend three days and two nights on exhilarating river safaris at dawn and dusk to see untamed wildlife, possibility of orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and pygmy elephants, go on guided night walks to learn about the rainforest's nocturnal secrets, all while returning to the comfort of a private chalet situated on the Kinabatangan River for an unforgettable experience that combines thrilling adventures with the tranquil jungle. As night descends, find yourselves enveloped by the symphony of the rainforest, looking from their private balcony into the embrace of nature's splendour.

Highlights

  • A unique experience includes a three-day journey with pickup round trip from sandakan.
  • River safaris at dawn or dusk in search of pygmy elephants and wildlife that emerge from the mist.
  • Relax in a chalet-style room with full meals while watching the rainforest..
  • Ancient rainforests brimming with undiscovered fauna are explored on guided jungle treks.
  • Drift off to the soothing sounds of the forest with nature's chirping all around.

Includes/Excludes

  • Pickup and dropoff at any Sandakan hotel, Airport, and Sepilok area.
  • 3 days 2 nights stay at Bilit Adventure Lodge
  • 2 breakfast, 2 lunch, and 2 dinner
  • 3 wildlife cruise with wildlife exploration
  • 1 night walk plus 1 tree planting or batik painting (subject community changes)
  • 1 jungle hike (subject weather and animal risk) 
  • Free-flowing basic drinks
  • English-speaking guide
  • Sukau and kinabatangan national park fees
  • Boat, life jackets, and transfer fees
  • All permit fees and local tax
  • Personal expense or itinerary

Itinerary

Expand all

Day 1 : First Glimpse of River Comes Alive

your journey officially starts but first a little lunch break at Sepilok is in order. As you leave the town, the air becomes thicker, greener, and more alive. The 2-3 hour trip builds anticipation until you arrive at the lodge, drop your baggage, and experience the serene serenity of the river before you, waking up is your first golden hour river safari. As the boat glides gently down the murky river, your local guide will start pointing out the riches as the boat slowly glides down the dark river, spotting movement in the dense forest. Witness groups of proboscis monkeys, with their hilariously big noses or any wildlife, nestling into trees for the sunset. The air is filled with the whoosh of hornbill wings above. Keep an eye out and take an opportunity to witness crocodile, elephants or monkeys resting on a bank sneaking into the water if lucky. After that, take an additional nighttime stroll and contribute to the local community by planting a tree or painting a batik. Return, dinner and overnight at the resort.

Day 2 : Whisper of Wild Heart

As mist gradually rises from the river, the predawn wake-up call begins, and the morning sunrise cruise begins, this is the greatest time to witness birds and animals greeting the day. A family of Bornean pygmy elephants might roaring out of the bush and crossing the river in front of you is the rarest sight of all, and the morning light is ideal for taking pictures of it. After returning and having a hearty breakfast and taking a nap in the middle of the day, continue a guided jungle walk to get an inside look at the rainforest. Your guide will move the emphasis from animals to the amazing ecosystem itself including medicinal plants, the complex mechanisms of fig trees, and sometimes the footprints of animals that just completed by. Return for rest, then continue with the sunset cruise for more wildlife opportunities and dinner. Overnight at the resort.

Day 3 : A Final Glimpse

Another breakfast on the final day before saying farewell and starting to pack. the estimated check-out time is 8.30 a.m. Return back to sandakan either airport, sepilok or sandakan town.

Customer reviews

Patxi K
Patxi K
On July 27, 2026

The service was excellent, and all the lodge staff were incredibly friendly and helpful. They even changed our room to one with a double bed, which we really appreciated. The food was varied and tasty.

The boat excursions were very enjoyable, and we were lucky enough to see plenty of wildlife. The only downside is that sometimes more than eight boats gather in the same spot to watch the animals, but that’s simply part of visiting a popular tourist destination.

The weak part of our experience was the guide assigned to our group. He did not really provide any explanations during the activities, either on the boat or during the jungle walks, and when he did speak, it was very quietly and mostly to the people at the back, making it almost impossible for everyone else to hear.

The biggest issue happened on our departure day. The transfer from the lodge consists of a boat to the jetty, followed by a bus to Sepilok, where guests are then dropped off at their respective hotels. Due to a misunderstanding, we arrived at the boat just five minutes late, but it had already left without checking that all the guests were on board. Considering the lodge is in such a remote location, we believe the guide should always make sure everyone is present before departing. Thankfully, the lodge staff contacted the boat, and we managed to catch up with the bus.

When we arrived in Sepilok, there was another disappointing experience. We had been told that we would be dropped off at our hotel, but this was never confirmed. The guide left immediately without checking whether everyone knew their onward arrangements, so we ended up having to find our own way to the hotel.

Overall, we really enjoyed the lodge thanks to the wonderful staff, the food, and the wildlife experience. However, our experience with the guide significantly affected what would otherwise have been an excellent stay.

from750 $ 560 $ /person
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Frequently asked questions

What should i know before booking?

Bad weather, rivers, traffic, or changes in the company's operations may cause the tour's start time to be pushed later. If a tour needs to be cancelled due to inclement weather, we will try to arrange another time during the tour. In addition, all wildlife environments are unpredictable and has a freedom to roams, it is impossible to guarantee that will see any specific wildlife. However, our guide will do our best to achieve all big 5.

Where is the stay located?

The stay will take place at the Bilit Adventure Lodge, which has a private room and bathroom within the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. This is the ideal setting for getting up close and personal with wild pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys and hornbills.

Does the tour include pickup and drop-off?

Yes, everything is included. The pickup time for Sandakan areas is 10 a.m. for the Hotel Sandakan, Sabah Hotel, Ormand Hotel, and Aecotel Hotel; the remaining Sandakan areas will be transferred to Wisma Khoo at 10.15 a.m in the meantime, the airport and Sepilok areas must be picked up at 11 a.m, the estimated drop-off time at check-out is approximately 11.30 a.m.

Can I get a refund if I missed some tour or only participated partial?

Unfortunately, the tour is a package deal, so it's not really possible to refund or change that. It might be best to just join in.

Can you arrange for a vegan or vegetarian option?

Yes, it is completely free and there are no further costs. Simply send us a quick reminder when you make your reservation or the day before you check in so that our team can prepare for you.

Is specific wildlife sighting guaranteed?

We totally understand that seeing all the big five or rare animals is super exciting. however, all wildlife environments are so unpredictable, it is impossible to guaranted that you will see a certain wildlife and it is not guaranteed. However our guide will try their best for it.

What is tree planting or batik painting?

The batik painting or tree planting is free per piece or tree, it is a community-run initiative that supports the locals during the stay and may change or be cancelled, but there will be no reimbursement if it is cancelled. This is similar to taking a night walk which also part of the programme. Once travellers reserve this tour, it is part of the programme.

What happens if I miss the pick-up on the check-in date?

Being on time is essential because this is a shared tour and we only offer free transport once, please don't forget to make plans in advance as the meeting location has already been provided. If running late or don't show up, you will have to arrange your own transportation or use a taxi to get there, and there will be an additional fee at your own expense.

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