My TOP 4 Sepilok Resorts: Where to Stay to See Orangutans in Borneo

Last Updated on June 15, 2025 by Oliver

Let’s be real, if you’re coming to Borneo, seeing orangutans is probably at the top of your list. That was definitely the case for me. And what better place to stay than right next to where they live? Sepilok is home to the famous Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, and it’s the perfect base if your main goal is to see these amazing animals up close.

Sepilok is a small area just outside of Sandakan, and while most travelers stay in Sandakan itself, not everyone realizes that you can actually stay right in Sepilok. And honestly, you should. The Sepilok Resorts here are surrounded by nature and give you that “middle of the rainforest” vibe, even though you’re only about 30 minutes from the city.

In this guide, I’ll share a few of the best places to stay in Sepilok and give you a quick rundown of what to expect when visiting the orangutans.

The Best Sepilok Resorts

1. Sepilok Nature Lodge (Former Sepilok Nature Resort)

This is definitely one of the best Sepilok Hotels!

The most popular and in my opinion, the best accommodation in Sepilok is Sepilok Nature Lodge. It’s located just around the corner from both the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Sun Bear Sanctuary. That’s a win for two reasons: first, you can just walk over when you go visit, and second (which is honestly the bigger deal to me), because it’s so close to the sanctuary, people regularly spot orangutans right from the lodge, either from their rooms or the sundeck. Pretty incredible.

This is one of the more upscale Sepilok resorts. The rooms are spacious, with private bathrooms, air conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. The design is gorgeous too, set on a quiet lake with wooden decor throughout, it really feels like a proper nature lodge. A beautiful place to spend a few nights.

They also offer an airport pick-up service, which I’d definitely recommend arranging before you land. Just send them a quick message on Booking.com or drop them an email to sort it out.

Book Here: Sepilok Nature Lodge

2. Sepilok Forest Edge Resort

…One of my favorite Sepilok resorts!

The Sepilok Forest Edge Resort is another great place to stay in Sepilok and I can say that confidently because I actually stayed here for a night and really liked it. I booked a bed in their dorm for my last night in Borneo, mainly to visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre, and it was such a lovely spot. It’s not a hostel, but they do have a dorm room option, which I thought was a nice touch. The lodge itself is beautiful, with a great restaurant called The Nest that serves delicious local dishes. Plus, it’s only about 15 minutes from the orangutan sanctuary.

They also offer some seriously luxurious stays here. I saw they have a glamping tent with a private pool right in the rainforest and it gave total African safari vibes. But it makes sense, Borneo is proper jungle with real wildlife, after all.

Of course, all the rooms are spacious, well-designed, come with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and a private bathroom.

Book Here: Sepilok Forest Edge Resort

3. Sepilok Jungle Resort

This is an amazing jungle resort in Malaysia

The Sepilok Jungle Resort is definitely one of the best options if you’re looking for something more affordable in Sepilok. You can usually get a private room here for under $40 USD, depending on the time of year, which is honestly a great deal.

The rooms are nicely designed, the property itself is lush and green, and there’s a massive pool on-site. That pool really comes in handy too because Borneo gets hot, and after a morning of wandering around trying to spot orangutans, jumping in the pool is the perfect way to cool off.

It’s also a great pick for families, thanks to the space, amenities, and relaxed atmosphere.

Book Here: Sepilok Jungle Resort

4. Tanini Sepilok (Former Nature Lodge Sepilok)

One of the best Sepilok Hotels if you also want to visit the Kinabatangan River

Tanini Sepilok is actually a place some friends of mine recommended because they loved it so much. It’s a newly renovated and very modern lodge in Sepilok, with spacious private rooms and really nice dorm rooms too, so it’s perfect for backpackers and solo travelers.

In terms of value for money, this is definitely one of the best places to stay in Sepilok. If you’re traveling on a budget but still want something clean, stylish, and comfortable, this is a great pick.

One thing that really makes Tanini stand out (and the main reason my friends raved about it) is that they also have a second lodge by the Kinabatangan River. So if you stay with them in Sepilok, you can easily arrange your whole Kinabatangan River cruise through them. They’ll sort out everything from transport to meals and accommodation, which is super convenient.

Book Here: Tanini Sepilok

How to See Orangutans in Borneo

I’ve actually seen quite a few orangutans in Borneo, and there are a couple of different ways to do it. The very first time I saw them was in Sepilok, at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. This sanctuary is right in the middle of Sepilok, just around the corner from all the resorts on this list, which means you might even spot an orangutan from your room window if you’re lucky.

The sanctuary isn’t a zoo or anything like that. It’s a proper rehabilitation center where orphaned or injured orangutans are raised and taught how to survive in the wild. There are no cages, no enclosures, they’re free to come and go as they please, though they often show up around the morning and afternoon feeding times.

I absolutely loved my time here. Seeing the orangutans up close was amazing, but what made it even better was learning about the conservation work they’re doing. It’s a really special place and definitely something I’d recommend putting on your bucket list.

How to Get From Sandakan to Sepilok

Sandakan is the biggest city in the area, and for me, it was my base while doing all the fun wildlife stuff, visiting Sepilok to see the orangutan sanctuary and heading out on a Kinabatangan River cruise. The city itself isn’t much to look at (honestly, it’s kind of ugly), but it’s practical and it’s where the airport is.

The easiest way to get from Sandakan to Sepilok is by Grab (basically Southeast Asia’s version of Uber). The drive takes about 30 minutes and only cost me around 30 MYR, which is roughly $8 USD. Super affordable.

If you’re flying into Sandakan Airport and heading straight to Sepilok, Grab is a great option. But most Sepilok resorts also offer airport pickup, so you can arrange that in advance if you prefer.

And if you’re arriving by bus from Kota Kinabalu, make sure to tell the driver you want to get off in Sepilok, it’s on the way to Sandakan, so you’ll save yourself the extra back-and-forth.

What to Pack for Borneo Sepilok

If you’re planning on doing a Kinabatangan River cruise, there are a few things I highly recommend bringing:

Binoculars: Some animals are pretty far off in the trees, and having binoculars makes a huge difference. 100% worth it.

Camera: A decent camera is super helpful. iPhone photos just don’t cut it here, most animals are either too far away or hidden in the trees.

Mosquito repellent: Absolute must. You’ll get eaten alive otherwise, especially during afternoon and night walks.

A proper hat: It gets hot out there. You’ll be outside in the sun for over two hours with zero shade, so bring a good hat unless you want to roast.

When is The Best Time to See Orangutans in Borneo

The best time to see orangutans in Borneo is definitely during the dry season, which runs from March to October. The main reason is that Orangutans hate the rain even more than we do. When it’s wet, they’ll be hiding out, and your chances of spotting them drop a lot, so aim for clear, sunny weather.

If you can, try to avoid the European summer holidays in June and July. That’s when the tour buses roll in, and places like the Orangutan Sepilok Sanctuary get super crowded. Even when I visited in April, the feeding platform was already packed with people and honestly, a bit too touristy for my taste. Shoulder season (March–April or September–October) is a much better call.

Final Thoughts on Sepilok Resorts

I really like Sepilok. Even though I stayed in Sandakan myself, I’d say staying in Sepilok is definitely the more immersive option. The Sepilok resorts here feel like proper nature lodges, you’re surrounded by rainforest, and it honestly gives off safari vibes. I’d 100% recommend staying in Sepilok over Sandakan if you’re coming to see the orangutans.

Plus, being that close to the sanctuary is just awesome. The orangutans aren’t in cages, they live freely in the area. So yes, spotting one swinging through the trees from your window or sundeck is totally possible.

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