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Orang Utan + Sun Bear & Mangrove River Cruise

★★★★☆ 4.3 · 6 Reviews Sandakan Min. Participant(s): 2

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Highlight

  • Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre
  • Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre
  • River cruise & fireflies viewing

Included

Return boat & land transfer, English speaking guide, admission fee, lunch * 1, dinner * 1.

Description

Wild Encounters in Sandakan: A Day of Orangutans, Sun Bears & Fireflies

Borneo is home to some of the world’s most unique and fascinating wildlife, and a trip to Sepilok is a must for anyone looking to experience it up close. The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, gives orphaned orangutans a second chance at life in the wild. Twice a day, at 10 AM and 3 PM, these intelligent primates swing down to the feeding platform, offering visitors a rare opportunity to watch them in their natural habitat. But beware—some of the more mischievous ones have been known to snatch hats and cameras!

Just next door, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre is a sanctuary for the world’s smallest bear. These adorable yet powerful creatures, often victims of illegal pet trade, are rescued and rehabilitated here. Some are lucky enough to return to the wild, while others spend their days lounging in the trees, exploring their forest enclosures, and reminding visitors why protecting them is so important.

For those craving more adventure, a 15-minute speedboat ride from Sandakan takes you to Tanjung Aru Island, a hidden gem where nature truly comes alive. As the boat glides past stilt villages, keep an eye out for proboscis monkeys, otters, and colorful kingfishers along the riverbanks. As night falls, the magic begins—fireflies twinkle among the trees, turning the island into a glowing wonderland.

From the playful orangutans of Sepilok to the elusive sun bears and the mesmerizing fireflies of Tanjung Aru, this journey through Sabah’s wildlife is one you won’t forget.

Tour Highlights
✔️ Observe orangutans during their twice-daily feeding sessions.
✔️ Video programme about Orangutan. 
✔️ Visitation to the exhibition Hall.
✔️ Sunbear Viewing at Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre.
✔️ Mangrove river cruise & fireflies viewing.



Important Notes:
• Infant pricing applies to ages 1–3, child pricing applies to ages 4–10, and guests aged 11 and above are charged as adults. Pricing is based on the year of birth.
• Peak season surcharges apply during high-demand periods.
1. Every Year from 1st July - 31st August - Surcharge MYR 54 per person.

Itinerary

* The itinerary is for reference only, it subjects to any necessary changes in accordance to local requirements.

  • 1

    Pick up from hotel and drive approximately 40 minutes to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre.

  • 2

    Upon arrival, register and take a 10-minute trek along the wooden boardwalk through the rainforest to the Feeding Platform.

  • 3

    Witness the morning feeding of the orangutans.

  • 4

    Return to the reception center to watch a scheduled 25-minute video program at the Nature Education Center, followed by a visit to the Exhibition Hall.

  • 5

    Visit the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre and learn about the world’s smallest bear.

  • 6

    Enjoy lunch at SJR.

  • 7

    Return to Sepilok for the afternoon orangutan feeding session, then proceed to jetty.

  • 8

    Take a 15-minute speedboat ride from Sandakan to Tanjung Aru Island.

  • 9

    Enjoy a simple tea break at a local villager’s house before embarking on a wildlife-spotting cruise. Keep an eye out for proboscis monkeys, otters, and kingfishers.

  • 10

    Take a slow cruise to witness the mesmerizing fireflies lighting up the trees.

  • 11

    Transfer to a local restaurant for dinner.

  • 12

    After dinner, return to your hotel.

Breakfast N/A
Lunch Included
Dinner Included
Warm Remind
  • Things to bring : raincoat (wet season Nov – Feb), cap/hat, insect repellent, sunscreen, good walking shoes, binocular, camera and personal medications.

Pickup Time & Transport Fee

Pickup time below is for reference only, actual time will be sent to you upon booking is confirmed. Transport fee quoted is per person.

Zone Hotel Pickup Time Fee (MYR)
A Sandakan city (Four Points, Sandakan Hotel, Nak, ...) 8:30 am Free
B Sabah Hotel 8:45 am Free
C Mile 4 area (Bandar Indah area, Prima Square area, ...) 8:45 am Free
D Airport 9:15 am Free
E Sepilok area (Sepilok Jungle Resort, RDC, ...) 9:15 am Free

How to Pay

Pay on travelling day

No advance payment is required, simply pay cash in Ringgit-Malaysia to tour guide. However, you still need pay in full for any cancellation made 1 day prior to tour date.

Not Available

Pay Online

Accep Visa and MasterCard credit card, Malaysian bank transfer, Paypal, FPX, Alipay. 2.3% surcharge apply. Please be noted that 2.3% processing fee is non-refundable in case there is cancellation 3 days after the payment made.

Bank Transfer

for Malaysians:
Online banking through your Malaysia Bank Account

for International guests:
Use WISE - a Fast & convenient global transfers service, better exchange rate than conventional bank Telegraphic Transfer; No 2.3% processing fee; Generally we would receive your payment in same day.

Good to know

Min. Participant(s):  2 Persons To Go (child does not counted)
Tour location / Depart from: Sandakan . To reach Sandakan city, you have to take a domestic flight or bus express from Kota Kinabalu or Sandakan. There are direct flights from Kuala Lumpur International Airport too.
Recommend to book:  1 month(s) in advance
To book at least:  1 day(s) in advance
Insurance: Tourist transportation insurance included. Please contact your insurance agency for personal travel insurance.
Pickup Service:  Pickup service will be provided from the hotel/hostel/lodge that you are staying. Please wait at lobby while the tour guide will find you when he/she arrive. Dropoff service will be provided after travelling, please notify us upon booking if your dropoff location is differ from pickup location.
Tour Type: Sit-In-Coach basis (SIC). This tour is not private tour, you will share the trip with other guests come from different countries. Please notify us upon booking if you are looking for private tour, surcharge might be applied. Specialities: You may decide the joining date, no compulsory tips (If you are happy and satisfied with the journey and the tour guide service, it's always a nice way to express your appreciation with tipping, OR words of thanks is good enough).
Cancellation & Refund Policy:  31 days or more, no cancellation charge, but need to pay for 5% refund fee; 16~30 days, charge 50% of tour total amount; Less than 15 days or No-Show, no refund. No refund for those tours which involve accommodation.

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Traveller Reviews

4.3
★★★★☆
Based on 6 reviews
5 ★ 3
4 ★ 2
3 ★ 1
2 ★ 0
1 ★ 0
★★★★★
Im very satisfied and happy with the service of your two tour guides Mr Halim and Mr Jerry.They are very cooperative,giving prompt reply when asked questions polite and very courteous.
Throughout our tour they are splendid and gave us excellent servive.
All the best and a warm thank with great appreciation to both of them in guiding us.
We hope we will be able to be with them as our tour guide in our next visit
MOH*** Verified Traveller 2022-12-22
★★★★☆
行程可以再多變化
H** Verified Traveller 2022-03-17
★★★★☆
The tour was great overall. Our guide, Tiffany, was fantastic. The only downside was the long break between the two feedings. I know there probably isn't much you can do about that, I just wasn't ready for it! At least one of the orangutans broke out of the rehabilitation center and came by our lunch to entertain us :)
REB*** Verified Traveller 2016-06-13
★★★★★
We had a wonderful day with our guide Rudy, visiting Sepilok and Tanjung Aru. Tanjung Aru in particular was a wonderful surprise. We loved seeing the proboscis monkeys and appreciated having tea in the village. Rudy was knowledgeable, helpful, flexible, great with our young daughter. We really valued his insights. The drivers were also very professional and punctual.

We were a little surprised when the itinerary included 2+ hours' 'rest time' in the middle of the day at the restaurant/guest house. We made the most of it by seeing different animals in the grounds, but I suggest with this much spare time, you include a visit to the Rainforest Discovery Centre in the itinerary in future.
Ang*** Verified Traveller 2015-06-17
★★★☆☆
同一個活動在早上及下午又重複安排多一次, 絶對是浪費時間, 感覺行程有點失望, 以這個價錢, 應該於下午參加另外一個活動.
值得一讚是導遊是我未能對換到當地貨幣(因酒店沒有這種服務), 他很努力地幫我們解決問題
T** Verified Traveller 2015-02-27
★★★★★
C** Verified Traveller 2014-06-02

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