Sabah’s Wild Wonders & Colonial Charm on Our 5D4N Sandakan Wildlife Heritage Tour
Embark on the 5D4N Sandakan Wildlife Heritage Tour for an immersive journey through Borneo’s rich wildlife and Sandakan cultural landmarks.
Begin with an unforgettable encounter at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, followed by a stroll along the Rainforest Discovery Centre’s canopy walk, setting the tone for an adventure that blends nature and learning.
The tour continues with a magical overnight stay on Selingan Turtle Island, where you’ll witness sea turtles nesting and release baby hatchlings into the ocean, alongside opportunities to snorkel and relax on pristine beaches.
The next day, you’ll get to explore Sandakan city’s historical sites, from the Memorial Park to the Agnes Keith House and English Tea House, before venturing into the lush Kinabatangan River for afternoon and sunrise wildlife cruises.
Over the next two days, enjoy guided jungle walks and river safaris at Kinabatangan; spotting proboscis monkeys, hornbills, pygmy elephants, and other fascinating wildlife in their natural habitat.
With comfortable overnight stays, expert guides, and a perfectly paced itinerary, the 5D4N Sandakan Wildlife Heritage Tour offers a complete wildlife and cultural experience that is memorable.
4 nights eco-accommodations (1 night Sepilok Jungle Resort, 1 night Selingan Island Chalet, 2 nights Bilit Adventure Lodge)
Full-board meals (4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners)
Entrance fees to all parks and conservation centers
4 wildlife river cruises, 1 jungle walk, 1 night walk
Turtle Island conservation experience (seasonal)
English-speaking guide throughout the 5D4N Sandakan Wildlife Heritage Tour
Jungle trek, 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
The Selingan Turtle Island has a 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 during the 5D4N Sandakan Wildlife Heritage Tour are not guaranteed, as all animals roam freely in their natural habitats.
The 5D4N Sandakan Wildlife Heritage Tour is an eco-tourism experience – please respect local communities and environments
Tour is weather-dependent. Rain or adverse weather may affect the schedule and timing of certain activities
Children below 4 years are not recommended for the shared boat cruise and they need to be supervised during turtle sessions and snorkeling.
Tour Duration:
The 5D4N Sandakan Wildlife Heritage Tour spans for 5 days and 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.
For more information of the 5D4N Sandakan Wildlife Heritage Tour, please contact our team through our page.
No refund for no-shows or same-day cancellations
Weather-Related Cancellations
In the rare event the tour is canceled by the operator due to extreme weather or unsafe sea conditions, you will be offered:
A refund, or
The option to reschedule to a later available date
08:30 AM – Pickup from Sandakan Airport or hotel to begin your 5D4N Sandakan Wildlife Heritage Tour
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, marking the end of your 5D4N Sandakan Wildlife Heritage Tour
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.
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.
Yes, 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.
From Original price was: RM4,750.00.RM4,678.00Current price is: RM4,678.00.
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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.