Experience the best Kinabatangan river cruise and watch wildlife away from the hustle and bustle of mushrooming hotels and homestays of Sukau area, away from the cloud of tourist boats chasing animals on the river.
Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort is a unique resort located in the Lower Kinabatangan-Segama Wetlands (LKSW), a RAMSAR-designated wetlands conservation area. The LKSW is the first RAMSAR site in Sabah and the largest in Malaysia, on Borneo’s eastern coast. Our package include the speedboat transfer from Sandakan Yacht Club Jetty. You will arrive to this carefully hidden forest refuge, past local fishing settlements, and through the world’s most diversified mangrove environment.
As you travel through the nipah palm groves, you will come to the timber-built resort, which is wonderfully situated among the pristine mangrove trees.
Your enormous villas will provide unparalleled comfort in an untouched mangrove forest, as well as an unimpeded perspective of the world thriving within this unique ecosystem brimming with life.
Pricing:
USD 550 (MYR 2599) per pax, EX-Sandakan Yacht Club Jetty.
Accommodation:
On twin sharing basis in deluxe chalet of Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort.
*Private transfers, private boat cruise can be arranged.
Day 1:
12.00PM – Board our boat for the journey to Abai, Kinabatangan. On the 1.5 hours cruise, Berhala Island, the
prominent sandstone cliffs of World War II historical site, can be photographed from the boat. The boat journey
continues towards the mangroves and villages of Abai.
This cruise also offers us views of the different types of vegetation found along Sabah’s mighty Kinabatangan River.
Photo opportunities shall vary from the usage of telephoto lenses for wildlife such as Macaques, wild Orang utan,
Proboscis monkeys and the unique mudskippers, to wide-angle lens for landscape shots of Nipah palms, stilts of
Rhizophora trees and mangrove forest.
1.30PM – Upon arrival at the Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort, Check-in. Lunch while your skipper conducts a
briefing on the upcoming activities and advice you on recommended gears to prepare.
4.00PM – Afternoon refreshment of coffee, tea and local Banana Fritter ‘goreng pisang’ shall be served
4.30 PM – We set off for the afternoon river expedition in search of wildlife. This time in a smaller open- topped river
boat. We hope to photograph wild Orang utans, Pygmy elephants, Proboscis monkeys and other wildlife.
6.30 PM – As we head back to the resort, capture amazing shots of the river landscape at dusk…a chance to put those
filters to the test! If weather is good, we should be able to see and photograph fireflies at a very challenging lowlight
condition.
8.30PM – After dinner, we shall take a night stroll along the boardwalks on a lookout for nocturnal animals and
interesting insects. Overnight at Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort deluxe chalet with air- condition
Overnight at Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort at Deluxe Chalet
Day 2 :
6.30AM: Early morning cruise to observe more wildlife and birdlife. We shall cruise to the nearby ox- bow lake,
Danau Pitas, to explore the area. Enjoy your packed breakfast while admiring the natural surroundings.
8.30AM: We continue on to visit the local fishing village, Kampung Abai. Interact with local Orang sungai from
river people and observe the daily activities in this tiny fishing village.
10.00 AM: Return to the KWR Resort for Breakfast
4.30PM – 6.00PM: We set off for another afternoon cruise in search of the mangrove specials, river sceneries,
village landscapes and more wildlife. On good weather, we may even get to see firefly colonies which are found at
certain parts of the river. Cruise back to KWR for dinner at the common area.
The day shall be spent river cruising in the early morning, late afternoon and a night river safari after dinner.
8:30PM-10:00PM: After dinner, we shall take the night river safari on a lookout for our target specie, Return to the
lodge for overnight.
Day 3:
After breakfast, you are free to explore the nature board walk around the lodge area, make sure you bring along
your binoculars, and look for any tree moving!! There may be…..wild orang utan! Silver leaf monkeys, birds and
many others!
10.00AM: Check-out and Return to Sandakan by boat. The 1.5 hours cruise shall pass fishing villages along the
coast. Also a good chance to photograph Sandakan town from the seafront. Sandakan was also known as ‘Little
Hong Kong’ in the olden days. Transfer to Sandakan Yacht Jetty, upon arrival at Sandakan Yacht Club Jetty we
will continue for 25 minute drive to Sandakan for airport for your onward destination.
