G-Adventures logo

Borneo – East Sabah Adventure

8 days, Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinabalu

Map of the route for Borneo – East Sabah Adventure
Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Itinerary

Day 1Kota Kinabalu

Arrive at any time.

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Accommodation

Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.

Hotel Shangri-La (or similar)
Hotel

Day 2Kota Kinabalu to Kota Belud

From Kota Kinabalu, travel to Tambatuon village and meet the local community. Walk to a nearby river, exploring the landscape surrounding the village along the way. Visit a local farm and gather fresh ingredients for an included dinner. Learn how to cook some local recipes with the host.

Private Vehicle
Kota Kinabalu – Kundasang2h30m

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Your G for Good Moment: D'Danau Homestay

D’danau’ Homestay is a beautiful homestay located in Kota Belud Sabah, Malaysia. It provides job opportunities for locals offering great experiences to travellers like hiking, water tubing, cooking classes and other activities. The income generated from tourism allows the community to collect fees that are invested in the nature conservation and development of the village. Visitors can also learn about the lives of the Borneo people, and enjoy the cool climate and peaceful atmosphere. D’danau’s mission is to promote their culture and way of life, protect the environment and enhance their livelihood.

Your Foodie Moment: Local Farms and Cooking Demonstration

Visit a farm and learn of their contrasting techniques while picking fresh vegetables, later used when learning to cook local recipes with the villagers. First visit Kundasang Aquafarm, a community-led farm that uses fish waste instead of chemical fertilizer for a hydroponic system. Then you are off to Onis farm that practices more traditional farming.

Accommodation

D'Danau Homestay (or similar)
Homestay

Accommodations at this property are multi-share.

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 3Kota Belud to Sungai Kinabatangan

Travel towards Sandakan and continue to the immersive jungle lodge on Kinabatangan River, Sabah's longest. After settling in, head out on a river cruise to experience the serenity of evening river life (keep your eyes peeled for birds and monkeys and crocodiles, oh my!). Enjoy dinner then opt for a guided night walk through the jungle.

Private Vehicle
Kundasang – Sandakan5h30m-7h30m

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Kinabatangan River Evening Cruise
Kampung Bilit

Cruise through the crocodile-infested waters with an expert boatman. While wildlife-spotting can't be guaranteed there's a good chance you will spot some monkeys, birds and the occasional saltwater crocodiles.

1

Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow

Jungle Night Walk
Kampung Bilit
70MYR per person

Take a night walk on the trails near the Jungle Lodge and look for the unique creatures that are active at night.

Accommodation

Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort (or similar)
Resort

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 4Sungai Kinabatangan

Begin the day with a river safari to witness the morning wildlife activity. After breakfast, visit the nearby oxbow lake with a professional guide and seek out proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, macaques, and gibbons. Enjoy another river cruise for a second chance to spot more wildlife (you never know what you may see) before returning to the lodge for dinner.

Kinabatangan River Wildlife Cruise
Kampung Bilit

Jump into a boat and explore the muddy river; keep your eyes peeled for monkeys, birds, and crocodiles.

Guided Oxbow Lake Walk and Wildlife Spotting
Kampung Bilit

Enjoy a guided trek along the lake and seek out proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, macaques, and gibbons.

Kinabatangan River Evening Cruise
Kampung Bilit

Cruise through the crocodile-infested waters with an expert boatman. While wildlife-spotting can't be guaranteed there's a good chance you will spot some monkeys, birds and the occasional saltwater crocodiles.

1

Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow

Jungle Night Walk
Kampung Bilit
70MYR per person

Take a night walk on the trails near the Jungle Lodge and look for the unique creatures that are active at night.

Accommodation

Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort (or similar)
Resort

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 5Sungai Kinabatangan/Sepilok

Depart in the morning and travel to Sepilok - a wildlife haven. Enjoy a visit to the orangutan rehabilitation centre and the adjacent sun bear conservation centre.

Private Vehicle
Sungai Kinabatangan – Sepilok

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre Visit
Sepilok

The orangutans at the centre were either rescued as orphans or from illegal domestication. Once rehabilitated, they are set free to live in the wild. Watch these creatures being fed or roaming the grounds along with other animals such as macaque monkeys.

Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre Visit
Sepilok

Visit the conservation centre and see the world’s smallest bear. Learn more about the sun bears and the conservation efforts being made to protect them.

1

Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow

Jungle Night Walk
Sepilok
50MYR per person

Take a night walk on the trails near the Jungle Lodge and look for the unique creatures that are active at night.

Accommodation

Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort (or similar)
Resort

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 6Sepilok/Pulau Libaran

Transfer to Sandakan and continue by boat to Libaran Island, also known as Turtle Island because thousands of sea turtles return to nest each year. Take a guided tour of the island's turtle hatchery and learn about the turtle conservation program. Later, visit the local village and experience what life is like on the island. Opt to go snorkelling or kayaking with some free time.

Private Vehicle
Sepilok – Sandakan

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Speedboat
Sandakan – Pulau Libaran45m-1h

Cut swiftly through the water en route to the next stop (and hang on to your hat).

Turtle Experience
Pulau Libaran

Accompany Island rangers to learn more about these amazing creatures and the threats to their existence. Depending on the time of year, observe turtles laying their eggs on the beach, follow the park rangers as they transfer the eggs to the hatchery, or stand on the shore and witness the release of baby turtles to the open sea.

Your G for Good Moment: Libaran Island Village Walk

Visit the friendly village of Libaran Island, part of a Planeterra Foundation community development project. View demonstrations by villagers who make flower souvenirs from plastic bottles, master Pandanous weaving, and meticulously knit fishing nets. Also see how local snacks are prepared and enjoy the delicacies.

Accommodation

Walai Penyu Resort (or similar)
Resort

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 7Pulau Libaran/Kota Kinabalu

After breakfast, depart Libaran Island and travel back to the Sandakan jetty. From the jetty, transfer to Sandakan airport for a flight to Kota Kinabalu. On arrival, enjoy a free afternoon to walk and shop at Jesselton Point, a waterfront district lined with shops and street food. Opt to visit the famous Filipino market.

Speedboat
Pulau Libaran – Sandakan45m-1h

Cut swiftly through the water en route to the next stop (and hang on to your hat).

Plane
Sandakan – Kota Kinabalu45m

Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

Free Time
Kota Kinabalu Afternoon

Take advantage of your free time to stroll and shop along the waterfront.

Accommodation

Hotel Shangri-La (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 8Kota Kinabalu

Depart at any time.

Departure Day

Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Borneo – East Sabah Adventure

| 8 days - Kota Kinabalu to Kota Kinabalu - from $1319 USD