Sandakan 3D2N Kinabatangan Wild Forest Lodge – Far from Crowds

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Overview

  • Duration:3 days 2 nights
  • Travelers:1 - 15 guests
  • Tour Type:Group tour, Package tour
  • Language:English, Malay
  • Start:MESCOT Initiative Visitor Centre
  • End at:MESCOT Initiative Visitor Centre
  • Payments:Pay Advance
  • Cancellation:Non-refundable
Discover the beauty of Kinabatangan River with a unique 3-day, 2-safari at a community-run eco camp either jungle lodge or homestay. Connect with the locals and lend a hand to their eco-friendly projects while soaking up the beauty of nature all around you. Participate in guided jungle walks, river cruises, and cultural insights that preserve the heritage of the orang sungai. Your visit directly contributes to community projects and essential conservation work, making this an impactful and meaningful adventure. Life here has its own vibe, straightforward and totally unfiltered, this jungle initiative isn’t about luxury. everyone pitches in and genuinely cares about keeping the rainforest safe.

Highlights

  • A three-day, two-night stay at a unique forest lodge or homestay
  • Opportunity to witness all five of the Kinabatangan Wanders if lucky
  • Enjoy guided jungle walks and wildlife river cruises with local guides
  • Get involved in activities that help keep culture alive
  • Support sustainable tourism and community-led conservation efforts

Includes/Excludes

  • 2 night stay in an off-grid forest lodge or guesthouse in the woods
  • 4 sessions of river cruise at sunrise and sunset
  • 1 night jungle walk
  • 2 breakfast, 2 lunch, and 2 dinner
  • Free-flowing drinking water, tea and coffee (none alcohol or juice)
  • Local guide
  • Sukau and kinabatangan national park fees
  • Boat, life jackets, and transfer fees
  • All permit fees and local tax
  • Pickup and drop off from sandakan city, airport or sepilok
  • Optional activities: tree planting and learn about conservation program

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Where the Wild Awakens

Check up at KOPEL headquarters and enjoy a local meal while learning about the eco-camp and its conservation goals. Then hop a boat down the Kinabatangan River to the TREC jungle lodge or guesthouse, which is tucked between an oxbow lake and the river and can only be reached by boat. The areas is surrounded by thick forest. Stay in an elevated lodge or guesthouse that promotes environmental stewardship and floodplain forest vibes. Start your first wildlife river trip as the day cools. Now is the time to see Borneo's "Big Five"—pygmy elephants, orangutans, proboscis monkeys, hornbills, crocodiles, or nothing. Primate species sleep on riverbanks, generating energy. Return to camp to freshen yourself before dinner, then enjoy a great meal created with fresh local ingredients in the dining room while listening to the jungle's midnight symphony. Free and easy, Overnight the night in a forest lodge or guesthouse in the woods.

Day 2 : Step into the Realm

Rise and shine for a sunrise river cruise! The foggy river at dawn creates a dreamy vibe, perfect for capturing glimpses of birds and other little critters waking up along its banks. Return back for some lunch and leisurely time, unwind or lie down in a hammock while the jungle serenades you, and continue to start a jungle trek through lake trails to soak in the forest landscape. Grab a local lunch in the afternoon and unwind for a bit, or roll up your sleeves and plant a tree to leave as a little gift for the future (at an extra cost). As the sun dips down, hop on a sunset cruise around the Kinabatangan. if we’re lucky, might catch a glimpse of hornbills and other wildlife soaring through the gentle light, along with proboscis monkeys just chilling in the treetops. A dinner is on the way. freshly made, newly produced as the night awakens. Explore the jungle at night with a guide and see it come alive, let the nightly chorus serenade you to sleep. Drift off to the jungle's soothing sounds with the lake just beyond the trees. Overnight the night in a forest lodge or guesthouse in the woods.

Day 3 : Awaken the Guardian

Wake up for a morning river cruise! The fog rolling over the river at dawn sets a magical scene, and a great opportunity to spot birds and other little creatures starting their day along the banks. Return for a breakfast, relax, or explore. After that, check out and hop on a boat to cruise back to the base where the meeting point start.

from200 $ 31 $ /person
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You can select between 1 to 15 travelers in total.

AdultAge 13+Min. 1, Max. 15
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Frequently asked questions

What should i know before booking?

The solar-powered eco-camp uses natural airflow to keep things cool without the need for electricity! It's not about luxury resorts; this experience provides a real, immersing time in wilderness. Underneath the forest lodge or guesthouse in the woods are shelters with warm sleeping mats and bucket baths. It's all about a true adventure. In a wildlife area, animals roam around freely, so you can't always expect to spot them. It's not a sure thing, but our guide will definitely give it their all to help you find them.

What's the best way to get here without pickup?

Getting right here by bus is totally doable! Hop on a bus from Sandakan to Semporna, Lahad Datu, or Tawau, and just let the driver know to drop you off at the road, you'll see the meeting spot right across the street from the office. If you'd like more quickly, we are able to totally set up a taxi for you! It'll cost around 450 ringgit for a car that fits 4 people, or 600 ringgit for a van that holds 8 person.

Does the tour include pickup and drop-off?

For this trip, there is no pick-up. instead, participants must report to the specified meeting location. If a transportation is needed, it may be arranged, but the trip is one-way and costs an extra 450 ringgit for a vehicle and 600 ringgit for a van.

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

Unfortunately, the tour is none refundable so it's not really possible to refund or change that. It might be best to just join in. All itinerary could change due to some rough weather or animal safety concerns.

What can I expect during the stay?

The eco-camp runs on solar power and keeps things breezy with natural ventilation without electricity! This experience offers a genuine, immersive time in the forest—it's not about luxury resorts. It's all about a real adventure, where you'll find shelters with bucket showers and cosy sleeping mats right under the forest canopy or in a homestay.

Is there air conditioning at the guesthouse?

Totally! It's just for guesthouse, though. On the flip side, the jungle lodge offers bucket showers and floor sleeping mats, no air conditioning in sight. It's really all about backing the local community and lending a hand to those around here.

Would you arrange for a vegan or vegetarian option?

Yep, it's totally free and there are no extra charges. Just give us quickly reminder up when you make your reservation or the day before you check in, so our staff can get everything ready for you.

Are all wildlife guaranteed to be seen?

In a wildlife area, animals can wander freely, so you can't always count on seeing them and hence it is not guaranteed but our guide will do their best to locate them. 

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