Discover Sabah’s Wild Wonders & Colonial Charm on Our 5D4N Sandakan Wildlife Heritage Tour
The 5D4N Sandakan Wildlife Heritage Tour offers a complete eco-adventure and cultural experience in Sabah, Borneo. This multi-day journey is crafted for those who want to explore the region’s iconic nature reserves—Sepilok Orangutan Centre, Bornean Sun Bear Sanctuary, Kinabatangan River, and Turtle Island, while also walking the historic Sandakan Heritage Trail.
Perfect for families, nature lovers, and culture seekers, this 5D4N Sandakan Wildlife Heritage Tour includes all accommodation, transportation, guided tours, and meals. From sunrise river cruises to sea turtle hatchings and colonial-era stories, this package is the most enriching way to see East Sabah in just 5 days.
Sun Bear Conservation Centre – Meet the world’s smallest bears
Selingan Turtle Island – Witness turtle nesting and hatchling release
Kinabatangan River Cruise – Spot proboscis monkeys, elephants & rare birds
Rainforest Discovery Centre – Explore canopy walks and plant trails
Sandakan City Tour – Visit Agnes Keith’s House, Puu Jih Shih Temple & more
Night Walk & Jungle Trek – Search for nocturnal creatures and jungle life
Stay in 3 Unique Eco-Accommodations – Sepilok Jungle Resort, Selingan Chalet & Bilit Adventure Lodge
4 nights accommodation (1N Sepilok, 1N Turtle Island, 2N Bilit Lodge)
Full-board meals (4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners)
Entrance fees to all parks and conservation centers
4 wildlife cruises, 1 jungle walk, 1 night walk
Turtle Island conservation experience (seasonal)
English-speaking nature guide
Briefings, canopy walk, cultural city tour
Good walking shoes or sandals
Long socks (or leech socks)
Cap or hat
Raincoat or poncho
Sunblock & sunglasses
Torchlight & binoculars
Reusable water bottle
Camera (no flash photography)
Personal toiletries & medications
Extra cash for tips or optional activities
Strict Conservation Policy: Turtle sightings are not staged. Rangers will only bring guests when turtle activity is confirmed.
Snorkeling gear is not provided – bring your own or rent on the island.
Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed as animals roam freely in nature
This is an eco-tourism experience – please respect local communities and environments
Tour is weather-dependent – river levels may impact timing and experience
Children below 4 years are not recommended for the shared boat cruise and supervised during turtle sessions and snorkeling.
Tour Duration:
5 Days 4 Nights (including all transfers, tours & accommodations)
Getting There:
This tour departs from Sandakan city or Sepilok Jungle Resort. Roundtrip land and boat transportation are included, with airport pickup available on Day 1.
Best Time to Visit:
The dry season (March to October) is ideal for clearer skies, smoother boat rides, and better wildlife activity—especially for river safaris and turtle sightings.
Facilities:
All accommodations are basic but comfortable:
Sepilok Jungle Resort: A/C rooms, restaurant, WiFi
Selingan Island Chalet: Fan-cooled rooms, limited electricity, no internet
Bilit Adventure Lodge: Eco-style lodge with A/C, mosquito netting, basic ensuite bathrooms, limited mobile coverage
Please note that Turtle Island has limited freshwater, and night walks/jungle treks may not be suitable for guests with mobility issues.
21 days or more before tour date: 100% cancellation fee applies – no refund
No-shows or same-day cancellations: 100% cancellation fee
2. Normal Season (January, February, May, June, September to December)
30+ days before arrival: 10% cancellation fee
15–29 days before arrival: 50% cancellation fee
7–14 days before arrival: 75% cancellation fee
Less than 7 days / No-show: 100% cancellation fee
3. Peak Season) (March, April, July, August)
45+ days before arrival: 10% cancellation fee
30–44 days before arrival: 50% cancellation fee
15–29 days before arrival: 75% cancellation fee
Less than 15 days / No-show: 100% cancellation fee
In the rare event the tour is canceled by the operator due to extreme weather or unsafe sea conditions, you will be offered:
A full refund, or
The option to reschedule to a later available date
Please note: Due to strict regulations by the Sabah Parks Authority for Turtle Island bookings, this tour is subject to a non-refundable policy once confirmed.
08:30 AM – Pickup from Sandakan Airport or hotel
09:00 AM – Check-in at Sepilok Jungle Resort (Superior A/C Room)
09:30 AM – Visit Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre (Morning feeding session & video)
11:00 AM – Visit Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
12:30 PM – Lunch at Sepilok Jungle Resort
02:00 PM – Return to Sepilok Orangutan Centre for afternoon feeding
03:30 PM – Visit Rainforest Discovery Centre (suspension bridge + canopy walk)
05:30 PM – Return to Sepilok Jungle Resort
07:00 PM – Dinner
Overnight at Sepilok Jungle Resort
07:30 AM – Breakfast at Sepilok Jungle Resort
08:30 AM – Boat transfer to Selingan Turtle Island (approx. 1 hour)
09:30 AM – Check-in at Selingan Island Chalet
12:00 PM – Lunch
01:00 PM – Snorkeling or beach relaxation
05:00 PM – Educational slide show on turtle conservation
06:30 PM – Dinner
07:30 PM – Turtle nesting experience: see egg laying, hatchling release
Overnight at Selingan Island Chalet
06:30 AM – Breakfast
07:00 AM – Boat transfer back to Sandakan (CQ Jetty)
08:00 AM – Drive to Sandakan
08:15 AM – Sandakan City Tour:
Sandakan Memorial Park
Puu Jih Shih Buddhist Temple
St. Michael’s Church
Central Market
Agnes Keith Museum
English Tea House
12:00 PM – Lunch
01:00 PM – Transfer to Bilit, Kinabatangan River (2-hour drive)
03:00 PM – Check-in at Bilit Adventure Lodge (Superior A/C Room)
03:30 PM – Afternoon tea & guide briefing
04:00 PM – Afternoon river cruise (wildlife spotting)
07:00 PM – Dinner
Overnight at Bilit Adventure Lodge
05:30 AM – Wake-up call
06:00 AM – Morning cruise (sunrise + wildlife)
07:00 AM – Freshen up
07:30 AM – Breakfast
08:30 AM – Jungle walk in the riverine forest
11:00 AM – Return to lodge
12:00 PM – Lunch
03:00 PM – Afternoon tea
04:00 PM – Second river cruise
07:00 PM – Dinner
08:30 PM – Guided night walk (nocturnal wildlife)
Overnight at Bilit Adventure Lodge
07:30 AM – Breakfast
08:30 AM – Check-out and transfer back to Sandakan
10:30 AM – Drop-off at Sandakan Airport or hotel
The tour includes roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, boat transfers to Turtle Island, 4 nights’ accommodation (1N Turtle Island, 2N Bilit Lodge, 1N Sandakan Hotel), all meals as per itinerary, entrance fees, guided wildlife cruises, city tour, and conservation center visits with an English-speaking guide.
You may encounter orangutans, sun bears, sea turtles (nesting & hatching seasonally), proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, hornbills, and—if lucky—the rare Bornean pygmy elephant during the Kinabatangan River cruise.
The dry season (March to October) offers calmer seas for Turtle Island crossings and better conditions for river safaris. However, wildlife can be seen year-round depending on weather and luck.
Turtle sightings, nesting, and hatchings are subject to natural conditions and cannot be guaranteed. Nesting is more common between July and October.
Yes! It’s family-friendly and educational, but Turtle Island has basic facilities, and some boat transfers may require adult supervision for young children.
Turtle Island and Bilit Lodge provide basic air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms.
Bring insect repellent, sunscreen, poncho/raincoat, waterproof bags, light long-sleeve shirts and pants, comfortable walking shoes, and swimwear for Turtle Island.
es, pickup from Sepilok is available. Just let us know your accommodation details during booking.
Yes, dietary preferences like vegetarian can be arranged with advance notice.
No, travel insurance is not included. We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that covers medical and weather-related delays.
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Explore Nature. Embrace Conservation. Experience Malaysia
Top Destination
A Wildlife Lover’s Dream Itinerary
Rachel (United States) –
This tour packs in everything! From Sepilok to river cruises to caves — it’s a fantastic way to experience Borneo’s natural side. The orangutans and sun bears were a highlight.
So Much Packed into 5 Days!
Lim Zhi Hao (Malaysia) –
Tiring but worth it. We were on the move a lot, but saw so much — turtles, monkeys, and even a crocodile on the Kinabatangan. Sandakan food was a nice surprise too!
Great Balance of Culture and Conservation
Laura S. (France) –
It’s more than just wildlife — we also learned about local tribes, history, and eco-efforts. I appreciated how responsible and respectful the guides were.
Amazing Guides and Unforgettable Wildlife
Tom (Australia) –
Seeing orangutans up close was the highlight of our trip. The lodges were comfortable, and the river cruise was breathtaking. This is the tour to book if you want the full Borneo experience.