8-Day Sandakan Wildlife Tour with Lankayan Diving and Kinabatangan

8 Days Duration

Experiences

About This Tour

Spot orangutans at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and see the world's smallest bear at the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre. Continue to Lankay...

Duration: 8 Days · Tour type: Shared · Activity level: Easy · Accommodation: Included · Standard · Transport: Included · Wheelchair access: Not applicable · Cities: Sandakan, Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Kinabatangan River · Languages: English

Know before you go: The tour is available from 01 Jan to 31 Oct.; Activities are subject to change depending on weather conditions and your arrival/departure times and may be reorganized. In such circumstances, the company has the right to change the itinerary, route, and accommodation.; Sightings of wildlife other than sun bears and orangutans are not guaranteed.; Sepilok is a primary lowland forest and a fine showcase of Borneo's remaining rainforest. The highlight is witnessing the feeding of orangutans from a platform in the center of their forest enclosure. A scheduled documentary video of about 25 minutes provides a great overview of the orangutan.; Mr Wong Siew Te founded the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, a biologist who studies and works with Bornean sun bears. It is a non-government organization and was set up to prevent the endangered bear from becoming extinct. All rescued sun bears are free to roam within the forest enclosure.; BSBCC was established in 2008 through collaboration with the Sabah Wildlife Department, Sabah Forestry Department, and Land Empowerment Animals People (LEAP).; Situated within the Sea Turtle Corridor, Lankayan Island is also a nesting place and foraging ground for sea turtles, most commonly green and hawksbill turtles. Therefore, guests may have a chance to see turtles nesting and newly hatched baby turtles being released into the sea, especially from June to September.; The Sabah Forestry Department runs the RDC education facility. The RDC Canopy Walkway is one of the few such structures in Southeast Asia. It is 2 m wide and about 347 m long, with two towers, a single-column Sunbird Shelter, and stands about 25 m above the ground. There is a great deal of information about nature, wildlife, and other exciting things in the exhibition hall.; Lankayan Island is close to paradise for honeymooners and scuba divers.; Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best places in Southeast Asia to observe wildlife from a boat, such as wild orangutans, crocodiles, long-tail and short-tail macaques, Borneo pygmy elephants, and birds such as hornbills, kingfishers, and others in the wild.; Lankayan Island is a small, relaxed, and informal resort offering a romantic atmosphere with secluded white sandy beaches and a private, peaceful location. Wooden chalets are scattered around the pristine island and made from local wooden materials to blend into the natural surroundings. Chalets and standard rooms have a private balcony overlooking the white sandy beach and turquoise-colored ocean. Lankayan chalets are well-appointed and equipped with a hot bath, coffee- and tea-making facilities, a mini-refrigerator, and fresh water from the mainland. All chalets offer direct access to the beach from your doorstep.; Most dive sites are just minutes away by boat from the jetty. The dives feature unbelievably colorful macro fauna and fascinating wrecks and, in season from March to May, regular sightings of gigantic and harmless whale sharks, the

About Sandakan

Malaysia

Sandakan

Whether you’re heading for the famous Sepilok Orangutan Centre to meet the primates or Borneo’s rainforests and beaches, Sandakan is a great place to start. Get a local guide to help with your itinerary.

Explore Sandakan Malaysia All destinations

What's Included

Accommodation as stated
Scheduled boat transfers and return transfers
Entrance fees as stated
Meals as stated
Sandakan tour guide

Not Included

Airfare and airport tax
Insurance fees
Video/camera fees, porter fees, and personal items
Snorkelling or diving gear
Personal meals and beverages not stated in the itinerary

Itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrival in Sandakan, Sepilok Orangutans and Sun Bears

Get picked up by your Sandakan tour guide in a car or coach and transfer to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where orphaned and injured orangutans are rehabilitated and taught to fend for themselves again in the wild. Get picked up by your Sandakan tour guide in a car or coach and transfer to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where orphaned and injured orangutans are rehabilitated and taught to fend for themselves again in the wild. Next, visit Sabah's first Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC), located next to the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre. You will have the opportunity to get a closer view of the world's smallest bear from the observation platform. Next, visit Sabah's first Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC), located next to the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre. You will have the opportunity to get a closer view of the world's smallest bear from the observation platform. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.
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Day 02

Speedboat to Lankayan Island and Dive Introduction

Pick up from the airport or your hotel and transfer to a private jetty in Sandakan Town for a 90-minute speedboat trip to Lankayan Island. Pick up from the airport or your hotel and transfer to a private jetty in Sandakan Town for a 90-minute speedboat trip to Lankayan Island. Learners can enjoy introductory scuba diving classes from experienced divers and explore Lankayan Island's 32 dive sites, including two wrecks. Learners can enjoy introductory scuba diving classes from experienced divers and explore Lankayan Island's 32 dive sites, including two wrecks. Try Jawfish Lair in Lankayan, one of the most popular dive sites, just a 4 to 5-minute boat ride from the Lankayan jetty. Common sightings include giant jawfish, stingrays, snappers, groupers, anemone fish, fusiliers, trumpet fish, and nudibranchs. Rare sightings include blue ribbon eel, ghost pipefish (seasonal), juvenile catfish, peacock mantis shrimp, and turtles. Try Jawfish Lair in Lankayan, one of the most popular dive sites, just a 4 to 5-minute boat ride from the Lankayan jetty. Common sightings include giant jawfish, stingrays, snappers, groupers, anemone fish, fusiliers, trumpet fish, and nudibranchs. Rare sightings include blue ribbon eel, ghost pipefish (seasonal), juvenile catfish, peacock mantis shrimp, and turtles. Upon arrival, check in to your room for the night. Upon arrival, check in to your room for the night.
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Day 03

Diving and Water Activities on Lankayan Island

Start your day at the Lankayan Dive Centre, where divers will have three boat dives and unlimited house reef dives in front of the Lankayan Dive Centre. These house reef dives are not guided, so please find your buddy to dive with. Start your day at the Lankayan Dive Centre, where divers will have three boat dives and unlimited house reef dives in front of the Lankayan Dive Centre. These house reef dives are not guided, so please find your buddy to dive with. Non-divers can enjoy other available activities such as swimming, snorkelling, and ocean kayaking. Non-divers can enjoy other available activities such as swimming, snorkelling, and ocean kayaking. Strict no-fly policy within 24 hours after the last dive.
4

Day 04

Sandakan City Tour, Gomantong Cave and Kinabatangan

After breakfast, check out from the Lankayan hotel and transfer to the jetty by boat, followed by an overland transfer for a Sandakan sightseeing tour. After breakfast, check out from the Lankayan hotel and transfer to the jetty by boat, followed by an overland transfer for a Sandakan sightseeing tour. Explore Sandakan's landmarks, including St. Michael's Church and the Central Market, where there is an amazing variety of fresh seafood and agricultural products, as well as Sim-Sim Water Village, where houses are built close to the water surface and offer a fascinating view of the sea. Explore Sandakan's landmarks, including St. Michael's Church and the Central Market, where there is an amazing variety of fresh seafood and agricultural products, as well as Sim-Sim Water Village, where houses are built close to the water surface and offer a fascinating view of the sea. Visit Puh Jih Shih Buddhist Temple, situated on the hilltop of Tanah Merah, which offers a panoramic view of Sandakan Bay. Visit Puh Jih Shih Buddhist Temple, situated on the hilltop of Tanah Merah, which offers a panoramic view of Sandakan Bay. Head to Agnes Keith House, where the books Land Below the Wind and White Man Returns were written. Today, the house is a heritage museum providing an interesting insight into life during the British colonial period in North Borneo. Head to Agnes Keith House, where the books Land Below the Wind and White Man Returns were written. Today, the house is a heritage museum providing an interesting insight into life during the British colonial period in North Borneo. Drive for about 2.5 hours through the rustic countryside dotted with villages to visit Gomantong Cave, home to millions of bats and swiftlets that produce the famous edible bird's nest in Asia. Drive for about 2.5 hours through the rustic countryside dotted with villages to visit Gomantong Cave, home to millions of bats and swiftlets that produce the famous edible bird's nest in Asia. Drive for about 40 minutes and arrive at the lodge, where you will be greeted by a guide and proceed to check in to your rooms. Drive for about 40 minutes and arrive at the lodge, where you will be greeted by a guide and proceed to check in to your rooms. Have lunch served at the restaurant. Have lunch served at the restaurant. Then relax by the river before embarking on a boat ride upstream along Sabah's longest river, the Kinabatangan. Then relax by the river before embarking on a boat ride upstream along Sabah's longest river, the Kinabatangan. Search for wildlife, including the famous endemic proboscis monkeys, as they settle down on the treetops. Search for wildlife, including the famous endemic proboscis monkeys, as they settle down on the treetops. After dinner, take a walk with your headlamps or a torch and look for nocturnal wildlife, depending on weather conditions. The walk will take about one hour. After dinner, take a walk with your headlamps or a torch and look for nocturnal wildlife, depending on weather conditions. The walk will take about one hour. Return to the lodge, relax, and stay overnight. Return to the lodge, relax, and stay overnight.
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Day 05

Oxbow Lake Cruise and Wildlife Viewing

Start your day with a morning cruise to Oxbow Lake to observe more wildlife and birds. Start your day with a morning cruise to Oxbow Lake to observe more wildlife and birds. Return to the lodge for breakfast and a walk through the village before returning for lunch and a brief period of free time. Tea and other refreshments will be served. Return to the lodge for breakfast and a walk through the village before returning for lunch and a brief period of free time. Tea and other refreshments will be served. Commence a river cruise that will last about 2 hours. Spot a wide variety of wildlife, including animals and birds. Commence a river cruise that will last about 2 hours. Spot a wide variety of wildlife, including animals and birds. After dinner, relax and enjoy some leisure time. After dinner, relax and enjoy some leisure time. Overnight in the hotel.
6

Day 06

Morning Cruise and Rainforest Discovery Centre

Get ready for another morning cruise to observe more wildlife and birds. Get ready for another morning cruise to observe more wildlife and birds. Return to the lodge for breakfast and proceed to check out. Transfer to your hotel. Return to the lodge for breakfast and proceed to check out. Transfer to your hotel. After lunch, proceed to the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) to discover the uniqueness and importance of Borneo's rainforests. The RDC's main highlights are its exhibition halls, the Plant Discovery Garden, the Rainforest Walk, and a short suspension bridge where you may enjoy practising your balancing skills. After lunch, proceed to the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) to discover the uniqueness and importance of Borneo's rainforests. The RDC's main highlights are its exhibition halls, the Plant Discovery Garden, the Rainforest Walk, and a short suspension bridge where you may enjoy practising your balancing skills. After visiting the exhibition hall, walk around the Plant Discovery Garden and along the Rainforest and Canopy Walkway in search of birds and wildlife. After visiting the exhibition hall, walk around the Plant Discovery Garden and along the Rainforest and Canopy Walkway in search of birds and wildlife. After the tour, transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay. After the tour, transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay.
7

Day 07

Free Leisure Day in Sandakan

Enjoy a free leisure day at your hotel. Enjoy a free leisure day at your hotel.
8

Day 08

Departure to Sandakan Airport

After breakfast, check out from your hotel and transfer to Sandakan Airport. After breakfast, check out from your hotel and transfer to Sandakan Airport.

Meeting Point

Meeting point: Sandakan Airport · Tour start: Batu 7, Jalan Airport, 90000 Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia — Tour ends at the same location as the start point.