Sandakan 3D2N Kinabatangan Wild Forest Lodge - Far from Crowds

Sandakan, Malaysia
Duration3 days
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesMalay, English
Group sizeUp to 15 travelers

Overview

Discover the beauty of Kinabatangan River with a unique 3-day, 2-safari at a community-run eco camp either jungle lodge or homestay. Connect with the locals and lend a hand to their eco-friendly projects while soaking up the beauty of nature all around you. Participate in guided jungle walks, river cruises, and cultural insights that preserve the heritage of the orang sungai. Your visit directly contributes to community projects and essential conservation work, making this an impactful and meaningful adventure. Life here has its own vibe, straightforward and totally unfiltered, this jungle initiative isn’t about luxury. everyone pitches in and genuinely cares about keeping the rainforest safe.

- Stay overnight at a community-run eco camp in a protected forest reserve
- Enjoy guided jungle walks and wildlife river cruises with local guides
- Participate in cultural preservation activities
- Support sustainable tourism and community-led conservation efforts

Options

Mandaa Stay

Miso Walai Homestay
Duration: 3 days
Inclusion: with hot shower and air-conditioned

Tungog Rainforest Lodge

Tugog Rainforest Lodge
Duration: 3 days
Inclusion: No hot shower or AC,
only provide cold shower and lodge in the forest.

What's included

  • 4 river cruise with 2 sunrise and 2 sunset river cruise
  • 1 night jungle walk
  • Free-flowing drinking water, tea and coffee (none alcohol or juice)
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Breakfast
  • Sukau and kinabatangan national park fees
  • 2 night stay in an off-grid jungle camp or homestay
  • Pickup and drop off from sandakan city, airport or sepilok
  • Optional activities: tree planting and learn about conservation program

What to expect

Day 1: Where the Wild Awakens
  1. 2h · Admission ticket included
    When make your way up to the headquarters, check in and snag a tasty local lunch while soak up the lowdown on the eco-camp and its conservation goals.
  2. 2h · Admission ticket included
    Jump on a boat for a laid-back journey down the Kinabatangan River to the TREC jungle lodge, which is tucked away in a between an oxbow lake and the river. The only way to get there is by boat, encircled by vibrant greenery. Settle into a cool elevated hut or homestay that promotes eco-friendliness and harmonises with the floodplain forest vibes.
  3. Kinabatangan District
    1h 30m
    Embark first wildlife river cruise as the day starts to cool down. Now's a great chance to seek out Borneo's 'Big Five'! You might just see pygmy elephants, orangutans, proboscis monkeys, hornbills or even crocodiles. The riverbanks are alive with energy as various primate species settle in for the night.
  4. Pass by
    Make your way back to camp to freshen up before dinner, and enjoy a tasty meal prepared from fresh local food in the camp's dining area, all while relaxing in the nighttime sounds of the jungle. After dinner, free and easy. Overnight at the forest hut or homestay.
Day 2: Step into the Realm
  1. Kinabatangan River
    5h · Admission ticket included
    Rise and shine for a sunrise river cruise! The foggy river at dawn creates a dreamy vibe, perfect for capturing glimpses of birds and other little critters waking up along its banks. Return back for some lunch and leisurely time, unwind or lie down in a hammock while the jungle serenades you, and continue to start a jungle trekking through lake trails to soak in the forest scenery.
  2. Kinabatangan Jungle Camp
    5h · Admission ticket included
    Grab a local lunch in the afternoon and unwind for a bit, or roll up your sleeves and plant a tree to leave as a little gift for the future (at an extra cost). As the sun dips down, hop on a sunset cruise around the Kinabatangan. if we’re lucky, we could catch a glimpse of hornbills and other wildlife soaring through the gentle light, along with proboscis monkeys just chilling in the treetops.
  3. Kinabatangan River
    6h · Admission ticket included
    A dinner is on the way. freshly made, as the night starts to come alive around us. stroll under the stars and explore the jungle, taking in the rainforest's nighttime vibes with a guide and see the forest come alive. If you prefer quiet, simply relax at the lodge, letting the nocturnal chorus sing you into the night. Drift off to the soft sounds of the jungle, with the lake hanging out just past the trees. Overnight
Day 3: A Parting Glance of Paradise
  1. Sukau
    1h 30m
    Rise and shine for a sunrise river cruise! The fog rolling over the river at dawn sets a magical scene, and a great opportunity to spot birds and other little creatures starting their day along the banks.
  2. Kinabatangan District
    4h
    Head back to camp for a delicious breakfast, relaxed, or wander around a bit. After that, check out and hop on a boat to cruise back to the base where the meeting point start.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

When arrive do provide your name on the reservation, make sure to book in advance and have a valid reservation since walk-ins aren’t allowed. If you're interested, we can arrange a round trip pickup to Sandakan for an additional fee.

End point

When arrive do provide your name on the reservation, make sure to book in advance and have a valid reservation since walk-ins aren’t allowed. If you're interested, we can arrange a round trip pickup to Sandakan for an additional fee.

Additional information

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • A raw, immersive forest experience, not a luxury resort, it is a down-to-earth adventure, these shelters come with bucket showers and floor sleeping mats under the trees or homestay.
  • The itinerary could change due to some rough weather or animal safety concerns.
  • The eco-camp uses solar power and natural ventilation without electricity.
  • In a wildlife area, animals have the freedom to roam, so spotting them isn't a guaranted thing.
  • If there's a spot available, your reservation will be good to go! If that’s not the case, it’ll just get cancelled automatically, and you’ll see your refund immediately within 24 hour of reservation time.
  • The Tugog jungle hut stay offers bucket showers and floor sleeping mats, while the homestay provides basic beds, it is all income support the local community and toward the locals here.
  • The tour does not include any additional activities not listed, such as tree planting and conservation program
  • To reach here: Just catch a bus from Sandakan to Semporna, Lahad Datu, or Tawau, and tell the driver to drop you off at the road. It's super convenient, and you'll spot the meeting point just across the street from our office. If prefer a more direct route, we can arrange up a taxi for you! It’ll be about 450 ringgit for a car that fits 4 people, or 600 ringgit for a van that accommodates 7, charged separately. Easy peasy!

Cancellation policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
From
€281.00 per person
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