Day 1: Canopy Wonders & Borneo's Secret World
Begin your adventure with a pickup in Sandakan or the Airport, you will head directly to the lush lowland, Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre, and Bornean conservation, get close to the natural forest environment, learn about conservation, education, and research.
Visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) in Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve. Climb towers connected by a 347-meter suspension bridge high above the forest floor. Watch and listen for bird species in the treetops. With luck, you might see majestic hornbills flying between tree crowns. After a chance to rest and enjoy a local lunch, the afternoon is dedicated to exploring the forest from a different perspective.
In the evening, return to the city to explore the highlights of Sandakan and uncover its past. Stroll through historic streets and hear the stories that shaped this riverside town. Continue with a dinner featuring local flavours, then stay overnight in Sandakan.
Day 2: Wonders of Gomantong Caves & an Evening on the River
After breakfast, begin the roughly 3-hour journey towards the mighty Kinabatangan River. En route, make a fascinating stop at the Gomantong Caves, a site described by WWF as “the best-managed bird's nest cave in the world”.
Enter the cathedral-like Simud Hitam cavern via the raised boardwalk. See the cave's amazing ecosystem and the ancient practice of bird nest harvesting (seasonal). The cave floor's guano-rich environment attracts swiftlets, bats, and unique scavenging creatures.
Arrive at eco-lodge or homestay on the banks of the Sukau section of the river—your home for the next two nights. After settling in, embark on your first river cruise, timed perfectly for the golden hours when the riparian wildlife is most active and visible.
Day 3: Deep in the Heart of Kinabatangan
Rise early for a sunrise cruise. The world is quiet, mist rises from the dark water, and the jungle awakens with deafening birdsong and primate calls. After a hearty breakfast, put on your boots and walk through the rainforest with your naturalist guide.
Learn to recognise animal tracks on the forest floor, discover wild plant medicines, and appreciate the complex, interconnected web of life in the steamy undergrowth.
In the late afternoon, head out on another river cruise to look for families of monkeys and other wildlife in the soft, golden light of the setting sun. Enjoy one last delicious dinner filled with local Bornean flavours.
Day 4: Final Wild View
One last early-morning river cruise or a quiet coffee is available for those not ready to say goodbye. It’s a last day to breathe the Kinabatangan's misty, wild air and see Borneo wake up.
After breakfast around 8:00 AM, pack your bags and return to Sandakan. Leave with photos and memories of the sounds, smells, and sights from one of our planet's most vibrant and wild regions
