Spend 8-days taking in the natural beauty and wildlife of Sabah
Experience the best of Sabah’s natural landscapes and wildlife on the 8-Day Best of Sabah Tour. Enjoy the perfect mix of guided excursions and free time to explore as you navigate this tropical paradise of Borneo.
Starting out in Kota Kinabalu, you’ll set sail for the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Park islands where you can snorkel amidst a sea of colourful fish and kick back on the white sandy shores. Then it’s time to head to Selingan Turtle Island where you’ll witness the green and hawksbill turtles laying their eggs, and tiny hatchlings scurrying their way into the sea. Experience the incredibly diverse wildlife of Borneo, as you enjoy a river cruise to spot proboscis monkeys and visit the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center.
The rainforest, rivers, and turquoise waters of Sabah are yours to discover on this unique wildlife-focused adventure in Borneo.
Highlights of the Best of Sabah Tour
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Best of Sabah Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Kota Kinabalu
Arrive at Kota Kinabalu airport where you’ll meet your local representative for the transfer to your hotel. Enjoy a free and easy afternoon at your leisure and set out to explore the city on your own.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kota Kinabalu
Meals: None
Day 2 Sun Sea and Sand
Enjoy a day of sun, sea, and sand on an offshore coral island! You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning and transferred to a jetty for a short boat ride to one of the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Park islands for a day of relaxation and adventure. Explore jungle trails or snorkel the crystal-clear waters, swimming among coral reefs, and rainbow-coloured fish. Packed lunch will be provided today which you can enjoy on the island.
In the afternoon, boat back to Jesselton Jetty, and continue with a transfer back to your hotel.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kota Kinabalu
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 3 Explore Kota Kinabalu
Enjoy a day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage site Kinabalu Park today, with a visit to the educational centre and Montane Garden. Also, enjoy a canopy walk to take in Borneo’s spectacular ancient rainforest.
You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning for the drive to the foothills of Mt. Kinabalu. A short stop at the roadside stalls at Nabalu market to savour some exotic fruits before continuing on to Poring Hotspring for a nature walk. After a light lunch, depart towards Kinabalu Park Headquarters, then continue the adventure, exploring the Education Centre and Mountain Garden, a botanical paradise filled with some of the mountain’s unique flora! If weather permits, you can even take a guided walk on one of the trails - a refreshing trek in the pleasantly cool climate of the montane forest (temperatures at the park are usually around a refreshing 14°C - 25°C). Afterwards, you’ll depart from Kinabalu Park at 3.30pm for the journey back to your hotel.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kota Kinabalu
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 4 Sandakan and Selingan Turtle Island
This morning you’ll transfer from your hotel to the Sandakan airport where you’ll continue with another transfer to the jetty. From here, you’ll depart for the beautiful Turtle Island. It takes about an hour to reach Selingan Turtle Island which lies 40km north of Sandakan in the Sulu Sea off Sabah's east coast.
Selingan Turtle Island is the main nesting area for the Green Turtles and Hawksbill Turtles. Snorkel, swim and enjoy incredible local food here at your leisure.
After dinner, set out on a stroll with the park ranger to spot turtles laying their eggs. Witness the collecting of eggs from the nesting site, planting them in the hatchery and see baby turtles scrambling to the open sea upon their release on the shore.
Overnight Location: Chalet in Selingan Island
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center
After an early breakfast, begin your onwards journey by boat back to Sandakan. From here, you’ll head to the world-famous Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre situated in the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve. Upon arrival, take in a short briefing by your guide and watch a video on the rehabilitation efforts at play here for the orphaned orangutans. Later, set out on a boardwalk stroll through the lowland rainforest and make your way to the feeding platform where you’ll watch the orangutans swing their way in for a snack. of orphaned Orang Utans before taking a boardwalk through the lowland rainforest to view the feeding platform. Witness the feeding of Orang Utan at 10:00.
Return back to your hotel in Sepilok to enjoy the rest of the day at your own pace.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Sepilok
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Kinabatangan River (Sukau Village)
You will be picked up from your hotel in Sepilok this morning to travel to Sakau Village, situated along the Kinabatangan River. Reach your lodge here and enjoy a buffet lunch. This evening, you’ll enjoy a river cruise to search for Borneo’s native primates, including the probosci's monkeys and the Borneo’s pygmy elephants.
Enjoy a candle-lit dinner onboard as you continue on a peaceful river cruise before returning to the lodge.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Sukau
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7 Wildlife of Ox-Bow Lake
In the early morning, you will cruise down to Ox-Bow Lake to view more birds and wildlife. After the cruise, return back to the resort for breakfast before proceeding with a tour on the Hornbill Boardwalk to learn more about the rainforest and its many inhabitants. In the early evening, enjoy another river cruise in search of more wildlife.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Sukau
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8 Depart
After breakfast, check out and depart for Sandakan Airport.
Overnight Location: None
Meals: Breakfast
Best of Sabah Tour Price and Dates
This partially guided tour to Kalimantan is always run as a private tour for your group only and the prices depend on the size of your group. Please note that the prices might be higher during the Indonesian National Holidays. The prices below are per person sharing a double or a triple room and those and those willing to have a single room will have to pay a supplement.
Important note: there is a high-season surcharge of $150 USD per person for departures in August.
- Guided Solo Traveller: $1,125 USD
- Guided Groups of 2: $995 USD per person
- Guided Groups of 3-6: $950 USD per person
- Guided Groups of 7+: on request
Accommodation on Best of Sabah Tour
The hotels on this tour are 3-star but you have an option to upgrade to more luxurious accommodations for an extra charge.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Standard rooms are of double and triple occupancy and those willing to have a single room will have to pay a supplement of $150 USD.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotel Shangri-La in Kota Kinabalu ★★★★★
An exquisite experience awaits at Hotel Shangri-La where world-class hospitality and deluxe amenities await you.
Selingan Turtle Island Chalet ★★
This no-fuss chalet allows guests the opportunity to view an array of wildlife, namely, nesting green turtles during their stay here.
Sepilok Jungle Resort in Sepilok ★★
Contemporary luxury and traditional style combine for a wonderful stay at the Sepilok Jungle Resort.
Sukau Rainforest Lodge in Sukau ★★★
Nestled in the rainforest, this lodge features a refreshing outdoor pool and a superb restaurant for guests' use.
What’s Included in the Best of Sabah Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 3 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for you and your luggage is included throughout the tour, including transfers to and from the airport. In some cases, the transfers are shared. Flight between Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan is not included.
Also Included
- Local English-speaking guides
- Taxes
Not included
- Visa fees
- International flights and taxes
- Personal expenses
- Optional excursions
Optional Extras
- Extra nights at any point of the tour
- Flight between Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan
Frequently Asked Questions about Best of Sabah Tour
Founded in 2003, Happy Trails Asia is a sustainable, adaptable, understanding and passionate partner in Asia. We operate tours to Indonesia, Bali, Malaysia, Borneo, Singapore & Brunei.
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