Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort is a new gem located in Abai, a quieter area of the Lower Kinabatangan Floodplain, about an hour’s boat ride from Sandakan harbor. If you are looking for something exclusive and away from the main tourist hotspots of Sukau and Bilit, Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort is the place to go. The resort is surrounded by secondary forest reserves, and is located within beautiful nipah and mangrove vegetation.
Apart from the river cruises, you can spend time relaxing and observing nature from your chalet, a myriad of birds and monkeys, such as silver leaf langurs, maroon langurs, hose langurs, and wild orangutan are regularly spotted within the area. Raised boardwalks are available for night walks and morning strolls.
10 Chalet rooms with private bathroom (hot & cold shower)
Buffet style. Vegetarians and special diets catered for.
Eating lounge (set time for meals), electricity via generator and solar panels 24/7, flat-screen tv in room with cable tv channels, wifi at eating lounge (ebbs and flow), laundry service.
You will be accompanied by in-house guides at the resort for river cruises and walks surrounding the property for wildlife and nature observation.
We can also accommodate private guide or specialist guide eg. Birding guide requests.
Pick up from Sandakan or Sepilok hotel at 11:00 AM for transfer to Sandakan Yacht Club Jetty for the boat ride to the lodge in Abai, Kinabatangan at 12:00 PM. The 1.5 hours boat ride will take you across Sandakan Bay passing the historical Berhala Island and fishing villages.
At about 2:30 PM, arrive at the lodge, check in and have lunch while you are briefed about the lodging and the activities. Free at leisure. After a few hours at leisure, at 4:30 PM, enjoy a cup of coffee and local banana fritters before boarding a smaller boat for a cruise along Kinabatangan River in search of wildlife, and admire the stunning river landscape as the sun sets. Continue to observe the fireflies shimmering as the evening falls before we cruise back to resort for dinner.
After dinner, take a walk along the boardwalks with your headlamps or torch and look for nocturnal wildlife.
Lunch / Dinner
Wake up for a morning river cruise to Pitas Oxbow Lake at 6:30 AM. Enjoy packed breakfast before visiting Abai village for a glimpse of what village life is like on the river. Return to lodge for a free and relaxing late morning on the nature boardwalk.
At 4:00 PM, go on another afternoon cruise along the Kinabatangan river in search of wildlife, and admire the stunning river landscape as the sun sets. Return to the lodge for dinner.
Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
After breakfast, check out of the lodge at 9:00 AM and return to Sandakan by boat – this is another great opportunity to spot wildlife you have not seen in the past 2 days on the river. Arrive at 12:00 PM in Sandakan for your onward journey.
Breakfast
Accommodation, meals, coffee, tea & drinking water, conservation fees, return transfers from Sandakan Yacht Club jetty, return transfers from Sepilok/Sandakan hotel or airport, guide and activities.
Travel to Sandakan/Sepilok, additional river cruises upon request.
Head lamp, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, binocular, dry bag, money (no ATM), water bottle, toiletries, basic first aid kit.
Daily based on a minimum booking of 2pax per departure.
Couples, families, and other travellers keen on wildlife and river cruise. We consider Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort a premier lodge on the river so it is suitable for those wanting a bit of luxury in the jungle including an exclusive area of the river that is less visited at the moment.
Please send us an email to info@stickyricetravel.com for enquiries or click “Book Now” to use our contact us form.
