Kinabatangan River Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know + My Amazing Experience in 2025

The Kinabatangan River is part of the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary in Malaysian Borneo and honestly, it’s one of the last truly wild places left in the world. This stretch of rainforest is one of only two places in the world (the other being Sumatra) where you can still find wild orangutans, which is what puts it on the map for most travelers. 

And yeah, that was definitely the main reason I came to Borneo in the first place. Seeing wild orangutans? Absolutely.

I’m writing this just after leaving Borneo, so everything’s fresh and my intention here is to share all the useful tips I wish I’d had before I went. There’s not a ton of info out there on how to actually visit the Kinabatangan River, where to stay, how to get there, and all that stuff, so I’m putting this guide together to hopefully make planning your trip a bit easier.

Kinabatangan River in a Nutshell – What’s the Deal

That’s pretty much the first question I asked myself too: what is the deal here? I kept seeing videos and blog posts about Kinabatangan River cruises, on TikTok, on Instagram, everywhere, but none of them actually explained how it all works. Is it a place you go to? Is it a tour? Do I book something in advance? Where do you stay? How do you even get there?

It took me way too long to figure all of that out, which is why I’m writing this, to give you the breakdown I wish I had from the start.

So here’s what’s actually going on: the Kinabatangan River is, well, a river (actually the second longest river in Malaysia). That’s where the wildlife cruises happen, basically boat rides (usually with 10ish people and a guide) up and down the river, where you’ll hopefully spot wild orangutans, proboscis monkeys, hornbills, pygmy elephants, crocodiles, the classic Borneo “Big Five.”

The easiest way to do it is to book a package with one of the lodges along the river. Most of them offer all-inclusive deals that cover your stay, transport to and from Sandakan (the nearest city), meals, multiple river cruises, and usually a bunch of jungle. That’s your accommodation, your tours, your logistics, all sorted out.

So yeah, that’s the Kinabatangan River in a nutshell: you stay at a lodge, go on a bunch of boat rides, and see some of the most incredible wildlife in the world.

Kinabatangan River – My Experience

What we did was a little different from the classic Kinabatangan River Cruise Package. We were trying to do Kinabatangan on more of a budget, so instead of booking a full package, we pieced it together ourselves. We booked a homestay in Sukau (that’s the small village right by the river) and sorted everything from there.

The place we stayed at was called Sukau Village Viewstay. It was super affordable for a private room with AC. Nothing fancy, but it had everything we needed. And the great thing was, they offered pretty much every service separately. So we booked our transport to and from Sandakan with them, two nights of accommodation, a few meals (we also tried a couple of local restaurants in the village), and three river cruises in total.

Honestly? I had an amazing time. The actual river tours are more or less the same no matter where you stay as you’re on the same river, with the same wildlife, and often the same style of boat. So even though we went the low-budget route, the river experience is very similar no matter what lodge you book.

All up, we spent about $140 USD for a 3D2N stay, including everything. That’s way cheaper than most of the big lodge packages and for what we were looking for, it worked perfectly.

That said, there are a few packages that seemed only slightly more expensive but definitely offer a bit more bang for your buck, especially when it comes to the quality of the accommodation. Tanini Kinabatangan (formerly Nature Lodge Kinabatangan) is one of those.

How to Get to Kinabatangan River

Like I mentioned earlier, getting to the Kinabatangan River is actually pretty straightforward. The easiest way, and honestly what I recommend, is to book your transport through the lodge you’ll be staying at. They’ll usually sort everything for you, and they know exactly what they’re doing.

Most river lodges offer pickup from Sandakan (either the airport or your hotel), and the cost is usually between 85 – 150 MYR one way, depending on how many people are in your group. In a lot of cases, it’s even included in the package if you book one of those.

Another option is to book a shared minivan seat with Mr. Choy, who runs regular transfers between Sandakan and the Kinabatangan River. Here’s his number: +60 19-536-1889, just message him on WhatsApp.

You could also rent a car or scooter in Sandakan and drive yourself. Driving in Borneo is surprisingly chill, nothing hectic, easy roads, and some nice scenery along the way.

If you’re in Kota Kinabalu, you’ll need to either fly or take the bus to Sandakan first. Sandakan, at least for me, was my base for all the wildlife activities in East Borneo.

Where to Stay Kinabatangan River Borneo

One of my biggest questions when planning this trip was also: where do you even stay along the Kinabatangan River? And here’s what I figured out, location doesn’t really matter that much. You could be staying anywhere along the river and still spot amazing wildlife. There’s no secret animal hotspot. The orangutans, elephants, and monkeys don’t exactly RSVP.

That said, there are two main villages where most people stay, Bilit and Sukau. Both are right on the river and have a mix of lodges and homestays to choose from.

Some of the lodges are on Booking.com, but a lot of the good ones aren’t. They usually only have their own websites, which makes them a bit harder to find. What worked best for me was that I searched for ‘Sukau’ on Google Maps, zoomed in along the river, and checked each spot manually. Not glamorous, but effective.

Here are a few great options to check out:

Sukau Greenview Bed & Breakfast

Tanini Kinabatangan (formerly Nature Lodge Kinabatangan)

Bilit Adventure Lodge

Kinabatangan Wetland Resorts

Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge

Sukau Rainforest Lodge (if you want something more high-end)

How to Do a Kinabatangan River Cruise

I’ve kind of covered this earlier, but here’s the quick answer: if you’re staying at a lodge or homestay along the river, your time there will basically revolve around doing multiple Kinabatangan River cruises. Almost all accommodations offer daily cruises, usually one early in the morning before breakfast, one in the afternoon, and sometimes a night cruise too. Each one lasts around 2.5 hours, and the goal is always the same: spot some incredible wildlife. I was always hoping for orangutans or pygmy elephants, but hey, it’s nature, so there are no guarantees.

If you book a package, there’ll usually be a set number of cruises and jungle treks included. But even if you’re on a DIY setup like I was, you can always book extra cruises on the spot.

Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip

If you don’t want to deal with the whole staying-in-the-jungle thing, you can also do a Kinabatangan River cruise as a day trip from Sandakan. This is a pretty decent option if you’re short on time or not super keen on spending the night by the river.

Most of these tours will pick you up in Sandakan in the morning, stop at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre for the morning feeding session, and then continue to the Kinabatangan River for an afternoon cruise. You’ll only get one shot at spotting wildlife, so luck plays a bigger role here, but it’s still a fun way to see the area if you’re on a tighter schedule.

Book Here: Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip

What to Bring to the Kinabatangan River Safari

I’ll admit it, I was not the most prepared traveler for this trip (shame on me). I definitely could’ve done better in the gear and research department. But hey, that means I can now confidently tell you exactly what to pack because this is the stuff I really wish I’d brought.

Binoculars: Trust me, these are a game-changer. We were sitting in a small boat on the river, and while I did spot orangutans swinging around (which was amazing), I would’ve loved to get a closer look. Especially for birdwatching, binoculars are super helpful.

A proper camera: So many animals are up in the treetops or tucked behind branches. Unless they come right up to the boat (which basically never happens), you’ll want more than just your phone camera. A zoom lens will go a long way here since iPhone photos just don’t cut it.

Mosquito repellent: Especially for the afternoon and night cruises, this is a must. From my experience, OFF! worked the best.

A good hat: You’ll be sitting on a boat for 2–3 hours in full sun, craning your neck to scan the trees. Shade isn’t really an option, so you’ll definitely want some sun protection.

Sunglasses and sunscreen: These go hand in hand with the hat. On a sunny day, you’ll be glad you packed both.

The Best Time to Visit Kinabatangan River Borneo

The best time to visit the Kinabatangan River and do a river cruise is definitely during the dry season and yeah, you probably guessed that already. Nobody wants to be drenched on a boat. But here’s the thing: orangutans hate the rain even more than we do. So a rainy day isn’t just uncomfortable, it also means your chances of spotting wildlife (especially orangutans) drop significantly since they’ll be hiding out, just like you want to.

So 100%, stick to the dry season between March and October. From my experience, April is a great time to visit if you want to dodge the crowds. June and July get super busy thanks to European school holidays, which is when tourism in Borneo really picks up.

FAQs About Kinabatangan River & Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary

What is the best Kinabatangan River cruise?

Honestly, I don’t think there’s a best Kinabatangan River cruise. From what I experienced and saw, the actual river tours, meaning the boat, guide, and experience on the water are pretty similar across the board. You’ll be on the same river, in similar boats, and most guides are really knowledgeable, regardless of which lodge or tour company you book with.

What is a typical Kinabatangan River cruise price?

That really depends. Most people book a full package, which can range anywhere from $150 USD to $800 USD, depending on how fancy the lodge is. But if you go the DIY route like I did and booking everything individually then a single 2.5-hour river cruise with a guide costs around 55 MYR (about $13 USD).

What is the best Kinabatangan riverside lodge?

There are quite a few good options. Sukau Rainforest Lodge is probably the most well-known and high-end one. Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort is another popular upscale choice. If you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, there are plenty of smaller lodges and homestays too.

Can I do a Kinabatangan River cruise day trip?

Yes, absolutely. A Kinabatangan River tour is a great option if you’re short on time. You can book a day trip from Sandakan, usually combined with a visit to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. Just keep in mind that you’ll only do one river cruise, so your chances of seeing wildlife are lower compared to staying overnight and doing multiple tours.

Final Thoughts on My Experience at the Kinabatangan River Sabah

My experience at the Kinabatangan River was incredible. I saw wild orangutans, proboscis monkeys, tons of macaques (both long- and short-tailed), silver leaf monkeys, several types of hornbills, including the rhinoceros hornbill and so much more. The wild orangutans were the absolute highlight. I mean, how many people can say they’ve seen a wild orangutan?

To me, it’s a no-brainer that this has to be on your Borneo itinerary. It was hands down my number one highlight. When it comes to lodges and cruises, it really depends on your budget. You can go for something basic or splash out on a luxury lodge, but either way, you’ll have the same chances to see amazing wildlife.

I hope this guide to the Kinabatangan River and Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary helped clear things up and gave you a better idea of how to plan your own trip.

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