Unleash the Explorer in You with Our Kinabatangan River Day Tour Wildlife Cruise
The Kinabatangan River Day Tour Wildlife Cruise is your gateway to witnessing Borneo’s iconic wildlife without committing to a multi-day jungle trip. Ideal for travelers short on time, this all-inclusive adventure departs from Sandakan and takes you deep into the Kinabatangan River basin—home to orangutans, proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, and more.
With comfortable boat rides, knowledgeable guides, and seamless hotel transfers, this Kinabatangan River Day Tour Wildlife Cruise delivers maximum wildlife exposure in a single, unforgettable day.
Begin your journey with a delicious local lunch at Sepilok Jungle Resort, followed by an afternoon wildlife river cruise in Bilit. Spot proboscis monkeys, hornbills, crocodiles, and, with some luck, pygmy elephants in their natural habitat.
With hotel pickup, an experienced nature guide, and a relaxing cruise experience included, this is the ideal half-day adventure for travelers with limited time who still want to experience the magic of the Kinabatangan River.
Scenic wildlife river cruise along the Kinabatangan River (Sabah’s longest river – 560km)
Chance to see proboscis monkeys, hornbills, macaques, crocodiles, and pygmy elephants
Enjoy a local lunch at Sepilok Jungle Resort
Afternoon tea with local snacks at Bilit village
Guided by experienced English-speaking nature guide
Includes hotel pickup from Sandakan or Sepilok Jungle Resort
Hotel pickup and drop-off from Sandakan or Sepilok
English-speaking nature guide
Kinabatangan River cruise (1 session)
1 local lunch and afternoon tea
All transfers on SIC (Shared basis)
Comfortable cotton T-shirt (long or short sleeves)
Long or short pants
Good walking shoes and socks
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
Tour Duration:
Full-day tour (~11 hours including transfers and cruise)
Getting There:
Tour departs from Sandakan city or Sepilok Jungle Resort. Transportation is included.
Best Time to Visit:
Dry season (March–October) offers better chances for wildlife sightings and smoother cruises
Facilities:
Lunch served at Sepilok Jungle Resort; basic toilet facilities available in Bilit area
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour starts
You are eligible for a full refund if you cancel your booking at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled start time.
No refund for cancellations made less than 24 hours before the tour
Cancellations submitted within 24 hours of the tour start time are non-refundable.
Changes are not accepted within 24 hours of the tour start time
Requests to reschedule or modify bookings will not be accommodated if made less than 24 hours before departure.
Weather-related cancellations
In the event of adverse weather conditions, you will be offered the option to reschedule to a different date or receive a full refund.
Minimum group size requirement
This tour requires a minimum number of participants. If the minimum is not met, you will be notified in advance and offered an alternative date or a full refund.
10:30 AM – Hotel Pickup (Sandakan City)
Guests are picked up from hotels within Sandakan city and transferred to Sepilok Jungle Resort for lunch.
12:00 PM – Lunch at Sepilok Jungle Resort
Enjoy a hearty local lunch and prepare for the adventure ahead.
1:00 PM – Transfer to Bilit (Kinabatangan River)
Depart overland to the Bilit area, located along Sabah’s iconic Kinabatangan River — home to 10 primate species, 8 types of hornbills, and countless other wildlife.
4:00 PM – Kinabatangan River Wildlife Cruise
Embark on a guided boat safari. Keep your eyes peeled for proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, macaques, crocodiles, hornbills, and more in their natural habitat.
6:00 PM – Return Journey
After the river safari, begin the journey back to Sepilok or Sandakan city.
8:30 PM – Drop-off at Your Hotel
Arrive back at your accommodation with unforgettable memories and amazing wildlife photos.
The Kinabatangan River is home to proboscis monkeys, Borneo pygmy elephants, crocodiles, hornbills, langurs, orangutans (occasionally), macaques, and more.
Yes, a local lunch at Sepilok Jungle Resort is included before the transfer to Bilit.
Light, comfortable clothing, good walking shoes, insect repellent, sunscreen, a hat, binoculars, and your camera. Bring a raincoat during wet season (Nov–Feb).
Yes! It’s suitable for families and nature lovers. Life jackets are provided for all boat passengers.
While sightings are not guaranteed, the Kinabatangan River is one of the best spots in Borneo to encounter wildlife, especially during the late afternoon.
Yes, restrooms are available at Sepilok Jungle Resort and Bilit Adventure Lodge.
Yes, the conservation fee for Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary is included in the tour price.
From Original price was: RM538.00.RM511.10Current price is: RM511.10.
From Original price was: RM538.00.RM511.10Current price is: RM511.10.
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Explore Nature. Embrace Conservation. Experience Malaysia
Top Destination
Wildlife Overload in Just One Day
John M. (USA) –
We saw proboscis monkeys, hornbills, macaques, and even a croc! The cruise was calm, the guide was great, and lunch was better than expected. Highly recommended!
Beautiful But Hot
Carlos G. (Spain) –
Cruise was peaceful and full of wildlife. Just be ready for the heat — drink lots of water!
Fantastic Day on the River
Elena P. (Italy) –
Can’t believe how much wildlife we saw in just a few hours. Truly a magical part of Sabah. Thanks for the smooth tour!
My Favorite Day in Borneo
Fiona H. (Germany) –
Absolutely loved it. From pick-up to drop-off, everything was smooth. Our guide was so knowledgeable!
Decent Tour, a Bit Rushed
David T. (UK) –
Saw what we came to see, but felt like it moved too fast. Lunch was okay, nothing special.
Wildlife Cruise with Style
Linda G. (Canada) –
We didn’t expect to see this much wildlife. Very comfortable, relaxed pace. Would’ve liked more time cruising.
Cruise Was Great, Weather Not
George S. (Ireland) –
It rained half the day, but we still saw loads of animals. Great backup ponchos provided too!
Nature’s Wonderland
Keira (Australia) –
Never imagined I’d see so much wildlife from a boat! Monkeys swinging through trees, hornbills above… magical.
OK Tour
Haruto M. (Japan) –
Cruise was nice but saw fewer animals than expected. Lunch was fine, and staff were friendly.
Good Value
Ethan R. (USA) –
Very chill. Good balance of nature and comfort. Would recommend for families and couples
Worth Every Sen
Zulaikha. (Indonesia) –
Tak sangka dapat tengok macam-macam binatang liar dalam satu hari je. Makanan sedap, pemandu pelancong sangat mesra.
Too Crowded
Aisha L. (Pakistan) –
Boat was a bit crowded. Would’ve preferred smaller group. Still saw some good animals though.
Great for Kids Too!
Martin N. (Sweden) –
We went with our 8-year-old and he loved it. Safe, exciting, and educational. Great staff!
Good Tour
Tomasz K. (Poland) –
Relaxed pace, smooth logistics. Wildlife was decent. I’d go again.
River Magic
Benjamin (Netherlands) –
Cruising the Kinabatangan was like floating through a nature documentary. Unreal views!
Unexpected Highlight
Danilo M. (Brazil) –
I didn’t expect much but was blown away by the scenery and wildlife. The silence on the river was peaceful and surreal
Not What I Expected
Sophie (Belgium) –
Too many people, too little time to enjoy the river. Didn’t feel special. Not for me.
Awesome First Time Wildlife Trip
Chloe R. (New Zealand) –
Never done a river safari before — now I want more. Very beginner-friendly and well organized.
Animal Spotting Was Fun
Kim J. (South Korea) –
Saw a crocodile, a few proboscis monkeys, and tons of birds. Great way to spend a day outside.
Simple But Satisfying
Noor (Singapore) –
Tak fancy sangat, tapi memang puas hati. Dapat tengok hidupan liar secara semula jadi, bukan dalam sangkar.
Loved Every Minute
Tania (Mexico) –
The boat ride was calm, guide was funny, and we got to see a wild orangutan — highlight of the trip!
Perfect Sabah Experience
Jack. (UK) –
Exactly what I hoped for when coming to Borneo. Nature, animals, and peace on the water. 10/10
Could Be Better
Nadine (France) –
Tour was okay but didn’t feel very personal. Would’ve liked a smaller group or more commentary.
Peaceful and Beautiful
Diego (Argentina) –
Felt like a peaceful escape. No phone signal, just nature and water. So refreshing.
Everything I Wanted to See
Nora J. (USA) –
Monkeys, crocodiles, eagles – all spotted within a few hours. And the river is absolutely stunning!
A Bit Rushed, But Fun
Jeroen (Netherlands) –
Felt like we had to keep to a tight schedule, but we did manage to see a lot. Would do again
Great Guide, Nice Boat
Audrey W. (France) –
Our guide helped us spot all kinds of animals. Smooth boat ride, but bring insect repellent!
Best!
Amir (Brunei) –
Trip ni sangat best! Nampak buaya, monyet hidung besar, burung helang… semua ada. Bot selesa, guide pun peramah.