The 5 Best Wildlife Tours in Sandakan

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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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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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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4.Mangrove Cruise with Fireflies Tour Including Dinner from Sandakan

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 25 reviews · from $64Best value

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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5.7 Unmissable Local Stops Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 3 reviews · 6 hours · from $73

Spend six hours exploring Sandakan and Sepilok with a private English or Malay-speaking guide. Visit the Sandakan Memorial Park, Puu Jih Shih Temple, St. Michael’s Church, Agnes Keith House, a sea village, and Central Market. Hotel transfers, admission fees, lunch, and an air-conditioned vehicle are included.

“TThis a great introduction to the highlight of the city. it's very diverse and very interesting I would advise that you do abit of homework before arriving. It will make the tour more fullfillimg fulfilling”

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