Malaysia · SANDAKAN TOURS

The 15 Best Sandakan Tours

25 tours  ·  from $60 a head

The 15 best sandakan tours you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.

Borneo Wildlife Tour 3 Days 2 Nights At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan - Day one: settling into a working jungle camp
3-Day Experiences, Malaysia Tours, Orangutan & Wildlife Tours, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife, Wildlife Tours in Sandakan

Borneo Wildlife Tour 3 Days 2 Nights At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan

1.Borneo Wildlife Tour 3 Days 2 Nights At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 100 reviews · from $270Our pick

You’ll spend three days and two nights at Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp near Sandakan, reached by road and sometimes boat. Guide Jai, along with the camp team, leads river cruises, forest walks, and night outings. Expect basic rooms, tasty local food, no mobile signal, limited electricity, and real chances to see orangutans, proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, hornbills, civets, and more.

“I could not recommend it more! The best thing you can do when in Borneo. You spend three days in a remote part of the jungle surrounded by wildlife (literally!). There's even an orangutan living right next to the camp, with proboscis monkeys Read more”

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Private Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour - Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
Full-Day, Malaysia Tours, Orangutan & Wildlife Tours, Private, Sandakan Tours, Taman Negara & Rainforest Trips, Tour Reviews, Wildlife Tours in Sandakan

Private Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour

2.Private Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 54 reviews · from $125

You’ll travel by private car or minivan from Sandakan at 8am, with stops at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, and the Rainforest Discovery Centre. English-speaking guides such as Adam or Azies have led some departures. Lunch, admissions, transport, and tax are included.

“A good trip to understand the Rain Forest and spend time with Orangutan and Sun bear in captivity, but free roaming. The guide had knowledge about the park and its habitats. Lunch was fine. It was not a full day trip, but about 5 to 6 hours including lunch.”

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Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan - Reaching the Kinabatangan from Sandakan
Malaysia Tours, Orangutan & Wildlife Tours, River & Sunset Cruises, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife Tours in Sandakan

Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan

3.Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 28 reviews · from $89

Leave Sandakan at noon in a shared, climate-controlled vehicle and head to the Kinabatangan River for an afternoon wildlife cruise. Look for proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, elephants, macaques, birds, and other river life, then return after a local dinner. Pickup is available from Sandakan hotels or the airport, with guides such as Angus and Chris sometimes leading the day.

“An incredible experience, crocodile wines, lizards, narigud monkeys, elephants, macaques, as well as spectacular nature. The guide very friendly and affectionate. I recommend the experience.Auto-translated”

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Mangrove Cruise with Fireflies Tour Including Dinner from Sandakan - The 4:30 pm pickup and ride to Pangkalan B&B
Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Firefly Watching Tours, Kilim Geopark & Mangrove Tours, Malaysia Tours, Orangutan & Wildlife Tours, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife Tours in Sandakan

Mangrove Cruise with Fireflies Tour Including Dinner from Sandakan

4.Mangrove Cruise with Fireflies Tour Including Dinner from Sandakan

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 25 reviews · from $64

You’ll be picked up in Sandakan around 4:30 pm by an English-speaking driver-guide and taken to Pangkalan B&B for tea. After village games and a short walk, board a shared mangrove boat for sunset near Pamaguan Island, crab-trap collecting, monkeys, and fireflies. A local buffet dinner follows.

“Cruising down the river in the dark was quite amazing. Not many fireflies out and we did not spend time with the village kids or throw pots so that was a bit disappointing. The food was plentiful and delicious, even the doughnuts at the start! As there was no sunset due to weather the island was superfluous so this should be reconsidered if it rains.”

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Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch - Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre: the main event
Kuala Lumpur City Tours, Lunch Experiences, Malaysia Tours, Orangutan & Wildlife Tours, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife Tours in Sandakan

Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch

5.Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 25 reviews · from $151

Spend about eight hours exploring Sandakan’s best-known wildlife sites and city sights. You’ll see orangutans at Sepilok, sun bears, proboscis monkeys at Labuk Bay, then visit Puu Jih Shih Temple and Sandakan Central Market. Hotel or airport pickup, lunch, admissions, and an air-conditioned vehicle are included.

“Absolutely awesome day ..... the Orangutan's, Proboscis Monkey, Silver Leaf Monkey, Snakes, Butterflies etc etc just amazing. We actually ended up having to pay for extra for a Private Tour as when we booked it turned out the the Bus wRead more”

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Sandakan: 3D2N The Wild Heart of Borneo River Secrets - The two to three hour journey from Sandakan
3-Day Experiences, Malaysia Tours, Orangutan & Wildlife Tours, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife Tours in Sandakan

Sandakan: 3D2N The Wild Heart of Borneo River Secrets

6.3D2N The Wild Heart of Borneo River Secrets

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 24 reviews · 3 days · from $316

Spend 3 days and 2 nights along Sabah’s Kinabatangan River with four small-group cruises, a guided jungle walk, meals, and air-conditioned private rooms when available. English and Malay-speaking guides such as Harry and Ryan help spot orangutans, elephants, hornbills, monkeys, crocodiles, and other rainforest wildlife.

“Our trip to the Kinabatangan was an absolute wildlife jackpot! 🌿 We saw so much, from Proboscis monkeys, langurs, and macaques to some shy orangutans in the distance. 🦧 The birdlife was incredible with Rhinoceros hornbills and plenty of others, plus some crocodiles, small snakes, and many spiders. 🐍🕷️ Seeing a slow loris was definitely a rare highlight as well. Big thanks to Harry, our tour guide, he was absolutely amazing! His spotting skills are next-level; he found animals from a crazy distance and pointed out creatures hidden deep in the jungle that we never would have seen. He is truly an excellent jungle guide. Lodges were clean and pretty…”

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2D1N Sandakan Private Tour with Kinabatangan River Cruise - A rustic lodge night near the river
2-Day Experiences, Malaysia Tours, Orangutan & Wildlife Tours, Private, River & Sunset Cruises, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife Tours in Sandakan

2D1N Sandakan Private Tour with Kinabatangan River Cruise

7.2D1N Sandakan Private Tour with Kinabatangan River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 23 reviews · from $290

This private 2-day Sandakan tour pairs a Sepilok orangutan visit with a Kinabatangan River cruise and Sandakan sightseeing. Your driver-guide collects you at the airport at 8:00 a.m., handles the road journey, and returns you to Sandakan the next day. Ahmed has been praised for kind, flexible service, though guide commentary can vary.

“It was an amazing tour discovering the Sepilok reserve and the nature among the river kinabatangan. Our taxi driver was so nice and with particular attention to us. Maybe I had been preferred a guide tour who should explained more the magical attraction we visited. Good experience, very suggested!”

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Borneo Wildlife Tour 2 Days 1 Night At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan - Dinner with local food at 7pm
2-Day Experiences, Evening Experiences, Malaysia Tours, Orangutan & Wildlife Tours, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife, Wildlife Tours in Sandakan

Borneo Wildlife Tour 2 Days 1 Night At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan

8.Borneo Wildlife Tour 2 Days 1 Night At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · from $230Top rated

You’ll leave Sandakan or Sepilok at noon for Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp, reaching a quiet riverside base for afternoon, night, and morning wildlife outings. Expect local cooking, small groups of up to 10, basic rooms, limited generator power, and possible sightings of orangutans, proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, birds, frogs, and flying foxes.

“This was a very unique and private experience, the camp was peaceful and infused with the rainforest , the guides were very accommodating and knowledgable on the animals. A must if you visiting Borneo! We were lucky to have a visit from Read more”

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Day Trip Sepilok Orang Utan & Proboscis Monkey (Flight Excluded) - The 4:30 a.m. start and the flight question
Malaysia Tours, Orangutan & Wildlife Tours, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife Tours in Sandakan

Day Trip Sepilok Orang Utan & Proboscis Monkey (Flight Excluded)

9.Day Trip Sepilok Orang Utan & Proboscis Monkey (Flight Excluded)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 19 reviews · from $176

Start before dawn and spend the day with a guide at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, the Bornean Sunbear Conservation Center, and Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary. You arrange your own Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan flights, while the tour handles local transport, lunch, admissions, and hotel or port transfers.

“The 3 experiences were all unique, allowing for close viewing of the animals in a safe environment. Our guide, Yan, is one of the best guides we have had anywhere in the world. Her enthusiasm for her job shows in the way she researches to giRead more”

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Full Day Orang Utan Sepilok, Proboscis Monkey, Sunbear, RDC - Sepilok, where orangutans come for breakfast
Full-Day, Malaysia Tours, Orangutan & Wildlife Tours, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife Tours in Sandakan

Full Day Orang Utan Sepilok, Proboscis Monkey, Sunbear, RDC

10.Full Day Orang Utan Sepilok, Proboscis Monkey, Sunbear, RDC

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · from $210

Start with orangutan feedings at Sepilok, then see proboscis monkeys at Labuk Bay, sun bears, and rainforest trails at RDC. Lunch is included at Borneo Sepilok Rainforest Resort. Guides such as Jackie, Faisal, and Hadi are praised for spotting wildlife and adjusting the pace, though rain can shorten the forest visit.

“There are so many orangutans! My cell phone camera’s zoom didn’t take great pictures, but the in-person views were great. Bring water because it is hot! No bags are allowed to be carried because the orangutans may try to steal your stuff!”

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Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip - The riverside arrival and waiting period
Malaysia Tours, River & Sunset Cruises, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews

Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip

11.Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 13 reviews · from $90

Leave Sandakan around midday for a shared drive to the Kinabatangan River. After refreshments, an English-speaking coordinator leads a two-hour evening cruise through the Sukau-Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, where you might see proboscis monkeys, orangutans, macaques, crocodiles, pygmy elephants, and birds. Dinner at a local lodge comes before the return drive.

“We did the day trip and it was a truly bad day out. We were picked up at 11:45 and did not arrive until 3pm. When we arrived the staff did not give a lot of guidance and weren't communicative with the guests. We sat around until 4pm for the cruise, which was 2 hours long, aRead more”

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Sandakan: Sukau Rainforest Wildlife Journey & Dawn Cruises - The First River Cruise at Sunset
Malaysia Tours, Orangutan & Wildlife Tours, Sandakan Tours, Taman Negara & Rainforest Trips, Tour Reviews, Wildlife, Wildlife Tours in Sandakan

Sandakan: Sukau Rainforest Wildlife Journey & Dawn Cruises

12.Sukau Rainforest Wildlife Journey & Dawn Cruises

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 11 reviews · 510 minutes - 3 days · from $107

Travel from Sandakan or Sepilok to Sukau for river cruises at the best wildlife hours. With an English or Malay-speaking guide, you may see proboscis monkeys, orangutans, crocodiles, hornbills, elephants, and macaques. Choose a day trip or stay overnight for jungle walks, meals, and extra cruises.

“after being told to be on time we waited 2 times for over half an hour each time for late people. Then we waited for other late people several times. The 2 1/2 hour ride took 4 1/2 hours. We were rushed to get a snack and onto the boat. The good was the lady at the restaurant gave us dinner to go. The return driver was super and even brought us to our hotel. The riverboat ride was great”

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Private Tour: Half Day Sandakan City Tour Including Local Lunch - Sim-Sim Water Village shows another side of Sandakan
Kuala Lumpur City Tours, Lunch Experiences, Malaysia Tours, Orangutan & Wildlife Tours, Private, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife Tours in Sandakan

Private Tour: Half Day Sandakan City Tour Including Local Lunch

13.Private Tour: Half Day Sandakan City Tour Including Local Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · from $60Best value

Spend four hours seeing Sandakan’s main sights with a private English-speaking guide and air-conditioned transport. Visit the Australian War Memorial, Central Market, Sim-Sim Water Village, Puh Jih Shih Buddhist Temple, and Agnes Keith House, with a local lunch included. Pickup is available from your hotel or airport.

“My wife and I had a lovely afternoon with Sita travelling around some of the sites in Sandakan including the Chinese Temple, WW2 Memorial, Agnes Newton Keith House and the floating market. We really enjoyed the afternoon and Sita wRead more”

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Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orang Utan Rehab Centre Tour - Meeting the Bornean sun bears next door
Malaysia Tours, Orangutan & Wildlife Tours, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife Tours in Sandakan

Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orang Utan Rehab Centre Tour

14.Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orang Utan Rehab Centre Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 10 reviews · from $112

You’ll visit Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the nearby Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre with an English-speaking guide and a maximum of 15 people. Expect a documentary, rainforest walk, feeding platform, observation boardwalk, and hotel pickup. Orangutan sightings are not guaranteed.

“Viator tours was one hour late, and didn’t answer our calls or texts. From pickup until we was back at the hotel took two and a half hours. We paid 347 dollars for 4 persons. From Sandakan you can take a taxi, pay for the entrance and then it Read more”

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Sandakan: 2 Days 1 Night Bilit, Kinabatangan River Wildlife - Settling into Bilit Adventure Lodge
2-Day Experiences, Evening Experiences, Malaysia Tours, Orangutan & Wildlife Tours, Sandakan Tours, Tour Reviews, Wildlife, Wildlife Tours in Sandakan

Sandakan: 2 Days 1 Night Bilit, Kinabatangan River Wildlife

15.2 Days 1 Night Bilit, Kinabatangan River Wildlife

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 8 reviews · 2 days · from $381

Spend one night at Bilit Adventure Lodge on the Kinabatangan River, with sunset and sunrise wildlife cruises, rainforest walks, meals, and tree planting. An English or Malay-speaking guide leads the experience, and guide Leo has been praised for his patient wildlife spotting. Expect simple lodging, humid weather, and early starts.

“We had an amazing time at Bilit. The guides were very informative and spotted so much wildlife along the river to show us. We were lucky enough to see an elephant crossing the river in front of us on the morning cruise too. The food is fantastic and it is a very well organised tour - we highly recommend!”

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