Malaysian Borneo Itinerary: A Practical 7-Day Adventure

Sandakan, hailed as the gateway to Borneo’s wildlife, is a lively coastal city situated in the state of Sabah on Malaysian Borneo’s northeastern shore. Home to around 396,000 people, it functions as a busy commercial center and an important port along the Sulu Sea. The city presents a distinctive mix of colonial history, diverse cultures, and exceptional access to some of the world’s most remarkable natural environments.

While Sandakan is rapidly developing, it still holds strong ties to its past. Those interested in colonial history can delve into the city’s intriguing background, as it once served as the capital of British North Borneo. Today, Sandakan is best known as a starting point for eco-tourism. It is renowned worldwide for the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, where visitors can see these impressive primates in their natural surroundings, along with the nearby Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre.

Outside the rainforests, Sandakan is a paradise for marine life lovers, providing easy access to the Turtle Islands Park, a refuge for endangered green and hawksbill turtles. After a day of adventure, visitors can savor the city’s reputation for offering some of the freshest and tastiest seafood in the area. Whether you’re passionate about nature, history, or food, Sandakan guarantees an unforgettable experience filled with discovery.

Today we start the wildlife trail with visits to 2 (possible 3 – if you think time permits) rehabilitation centers. As you may know I am usually not a supporter of “animal parks and animal tourism” but can reassure you that all three are truly animal centric and fully ethical in their care and animal welfare practices. I did all 3 and loved each of them.

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

The first is the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, a world-renowned orangutan conservation facility, located in Sepilok. The center’s primary mission is to rehabilitate and provide a safe haven for orphaned, injured and displaced orangutans, one of the world’s most endangered primates. Their work with the orangutan is aimed at an eventual release back into the wild.

Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre

Next is the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC), a rescue and rehabilitation facility. Sun bears are the smallest bears in the world and are only found in Southeast Asia. They are threatened by forest degradation, illegal hunting for bear parts and poaching to obtain young cubs for pet trade. The results of these threats has caused young sun bears found to be living in unnatural captive conditions in Sabah, with no access to outdoor areas. The facility includes large forest enclosures to provide a natural environment suited to the needs and welfare of the sun bears and facilitate their rehabilitation back into the wild.

Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary

Finally the Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary offers a safe haven for the indigenous wildlife isolated by the Sulu Sea to the north and encroaching palm oil plantations to the south. Founded by plantation owners the Lee Brothers who converted part of their land into Sabah’s first Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary. Now it consists of 500 acres of coastal mangrove forests.

The highlights today are all about the river. You’ll get on a covered boat with an electric motor that hums softly so you don’t scare animals. Expert guides lead the wildlife tours of 2-3 hour wildlife cruises along the Kinabatangan River. The riverbanks are bustling with activity when the sun rises or sets. Long-tailed macaques and proboscis monkeys are happily foraging along the shores, while saltwater crocodiles are lounging in the muddy water.

If you’re lucky, you can spot orangutans in the trees or even catch a glimpse of the elusive Borneo pygmy elephant. Bird enthusiasts will have a great time spotting hornbills, kingfishers, and eagles.