Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary: Is It Worth Visiting? My Honest Review (2025)

Last Updated on June 9, 2025 by Oliver

The Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary isn’t just one of Borneo’s top wildlife destinations, it’s honestly one of the best places in all of Asia to spot animals in the wild. It’s home to one of the last remaining patches of lowland rainforest and one of the few places on Earth where you can still see wild orangutans.

And let’s be real, those wild orangutans are the main reason most people (myself included) come here in the first place.

I just finished my trip to Borneo, which included a few days at the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, so in this article, I want to share what it was actually like. What you can expect, where to stay, how to plan it, and whether it’s really worth your time.

Quick heads-up: when people talk about the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, they usually mean the Kinabatangan River and the wildlife safaris and cruises that take place along it. So while the sanctuary covers a wider area, the river is where most of the action happens and where most travelers go.

Why I Decided to Visit the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary

Visiting the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary had been on my bucket list for a while. I remember watching videos of people spotting wild orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and even pygmy elephants in the rainforest and since I’m always up for a bit of adventure travel, it instantly made my list.

Borneo, however, never quite fit into my travel plans until 2025, when I finally made it back to Southeast Asia and booked a flight straight into Borneo with one main goal: see wild orangutans.

Doing a Kinabatangan River cruise ended up being the highlight of my time in Borneo. And yes, we saw wild orangutans. Mission complete.

So, Is It Worth Visiting? Yes, 100%, without a doubt.

What Is the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary (And What Makes It Special)?

The Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best places in Southeast Asia, if not the world, to see wildlife in its natural habitat. It’s a protected stretch of lowland rainforest in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, that follows the Kinabatangan River. And what makes it so special is just how much wildlife is packed into this one area.

This is one of the only places on the planet where you can potentially see wild orangutans, pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, hornbills, and a ridiculous amount of other birds and monkeys, all on the same river cruise. It’s a biodiversity hotspot, and because a lot of the land around it has been cleared for palm oil, this pocket of rainforest has become even more important for conservation.

When people talk about visiting the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, they usually mean doing river cruises along the Kinabatangan River to spot wildlife. That’s the main highlight here. You’re not trekking through the jungle with binoculars (although that’s an option too), you’re floating down the river in a little boat, just waiting for something to move in the trees. 

My Experience Visiting the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary in 2025

I honestly had the best time exploring the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary and especially the Kinabatangan River. We stayed in Sukau, a tiny village right on the riverbank, and booked a budget-friendly homestay that organized all our jungle cruises and rainforest treks.

We saw wild orangutans (bucket list moment), elephants, proboscis monkeys, and so much more. It was everything I’d hoped for.

If you’re into wildlife or just want to see a part of the world that still feels raw and untouched, a Kinabatangan River cruise belongs on your list. It’s one of those rare places that actually lives up to the hype.

Is the Kinabatangan River Cruise Worth It?

Yes. 100%.

If you’re coming to Borneo for wildlife, this is the place to be. The Kinabatangan River cruise is one of the best (and easiest) ways to see wild animals in their natural habitat without having to bushwhack your way through the jungle.

In just a couple of days, we saw wild orangutans, proboscis monkeys, hornbills, crocodiles, and even elephants. The cruises are super chill in the early mornings and late afternoons, just drifting along the river while your guide points out animals in the trees or on the riverbanks.

It’s peaceful, it’s wild, and it honestly feels like something out of a nature documentary. If you’re even remotely into wildlife or nature, the Kinabatangan River cruise is 100% worth it.

How to Get to the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary (And Is It a Hassle?)

Getting to the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary isn’t hard, but it’s also not as straightforward as hopping on a Grab and showing up.

If you’re starting in Kota Kinabalu (which most people are), you’ll first need to get to Sandakan, either by a short flight (super quick and cheap if you book early) or by bus. I took the bus, and it was eight hours of winding roads. Not exactly comfortable, but definitely doable.

From Sandakan, most lodges or homestays near the Kinabatangan River, usually in the village of Sukau, will organize transport for you. It’s about a 2–3 hour drive from Sandakan, often in a minivan.

Is it a hassle? Not really. It just takes a bit of planning ahead. Once you’re in Sandakan, everything is pretty much arranged for you if you’ve booked a package or stay with a local lodge.

So no, it’s not a massive hassle. Just not something you want to totally wing last minute.

Should I Do a Kinabatangan River Day Trip?

That’s definitely an option. There are a lot of companies offering a river safari, day trips and guided tours from Sandakan to the Kinabatangan River (which is part of the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary so it’s all the same area, really).

Most day trips include a stop at the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary in the morning for the feeding session, followed by a river cruise in the afternoon where you (hopefully) spot some amazing wildlife in their natural habitat.

I’d only really recommend this if you’re short on time. You’ll probably only get to do one river cruise, and honestly, from my experience, it’s worth doing at least a couple. This is nature so there are no guarantees. But hey, you might get lucky and see orangutans or elephants on your first try (I saw orangutans on my very first cruise, so it does happen!).

Book here: Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip

Where to Stay Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary

Sandakan is the main base for most wildlife experiences in this part of Borneo. It’s the nearest city, and it’s also close to Sepilok, where you’ll find the famous orangutan rehabilitation center.

But if you want to actually stay near the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary (and trust me, you should), then head to one of the two main areas by the river: Sukau or Bilit. I say “villages,” but they’re really just small clusters of houses and lodges along the Kinabatangan River.

Most travelers stay in river lodges here, and these lodges usually handle everythingfor you, your transport to and from Sandakan, all your meals, your river cruises, and even the jungle trekking. It’s a one-stop setup and makes the whole experience super easy.

Some of the best Kinabatangan River lodges include:

Sukau Greenview B&B (Cheap Kinabatangan River Accommodation)

Sukau Rainforest Lodge (Best Kinabatangan Wildlife Resort)

Bilit Adventure Lodge (My Fav Kinabatangan River Lodge)

FAQs About the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary

Can you do a Kinabatangan wildlife safari?

Yes! Most people come here specifically for the wildlife safaris, which are usually done by boat along the Kinabatangan River. You’ll head out early in the morning and again around sunset, prime times to spot orangutans, proboscis monkeys, hornbills, crocodiles, and (if you’re really lucky) pygmy elephants.

How do you get to the Kinabatangan River Sabah?

Most travelers start in Kota Kinabalu and make their way to Sandakan, either by a short flight (quick and cheap if you book ahead) or by bus (long and bumpy but doable). From Sandakan, your lodge will usually arrange transport to Sukau or Bilit, the main river areas where most cruises start.

How do you do a Kinabatangan River cruise?

The easiest way is to book a stay at a river lodge in Sukau or Bilit. These lodges usually include everything: accommodation, food, jungle treks, and daily river cruises. You don’t need to book the cruise separately, they’ll sort it all out for you once you’re there.

Final Thoughts on Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary

I’ve said it before in other posts, but my time at the Kinabatangan River and the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary was the highlight of my trip to Borneo.

I loved seeing orangutans in Sepilok too, don’t get me wrong. The sanctuary there is great, and the orangutans are kinda semi-wild. But seeing them out in the rainforest, in their actual natural habitat, swinging through the trees? That’s just different.

And it wasn’t just the orangutans. The proboscis monkeys, macaques, hornbills, and even the crocodiles along the river, it all made for an incredible experience.

If you’re into wildlife, nature, or just want to see a side of the world that still feels raw and untouched, I can’t recommend it enough.

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