Where to Stay Kinabatangan River Borneo: My Top Areas and Lodges in 2025

Last Updated on June 8, 2025 by Oliver

The Kinabatangan River was for sure the highlight of my time traveling through Borneo. It’s this stretch of mostly untouched rainforest, full of incredible wildlife, and I had the best time staying along the river and heading out on multiple cruises to spot orangutans and (hopefully) elephants.

When I was planning my own trip, I honestly didn’t find that much good information online. Borneo just isn’t as heavily covered in travel blogs and guides yet, so I had a lot of questions, like whether you’re supposed to base yourself in a town and do day trips, or if you stay right by the river, or if you need to book a full-on tour.

Now that I’ve done it myself, I want to clear all that up. In this travel guide on ‘Where to Stay Kinabatangan River’, I’ll walk you through exactly how staying at the Kinabatangan River works, the best areas to base yourself, and my personal picks for the top lodges and homestays. I’ll also explain how the cruise system works and how you can book it all without any stress.

Kinabatangan River – Let Me Explain

Before we get into where to stay and all that, let me quickly explain what the Kinabatangan River experience actually is, because I found it pretty confusing at first too.

The Kinabatangan River is part of the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, about 2.5 hours from Sandakan on the East Coast of Malaysian Borneo. This is where you go to see real wildlife, like wild orangutans, pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, and loads more. It’s one of the few places where you can potentially spot the Big 5 of Borneo.

The most common way to do it is by staying at a river lodge in either Sukau or Bilit village. These are small villages right on the river, and the lodges there are set up specifically for river cruises. You can either book your stay and add on river cruises or wildlife safari once you’re there, or (what most people do) book a full package that includes everything, transport from Sandakan, accommodation, meals, and multiple cruises.

In this article, I’ll share my favorite river lodges and explain how to book them. My recommendation is, go with one of the lodges I mention and either book a full package or at least your accommodation through them, they’ll help you organize the rest. Just note: most of these places aren’t on booking platforms, so you’ll likely need to book directly through their websites or via WhatsApp.

Where to Stay Kinabatangan River – My Experience

I stayed at a super budget-friendly place in Sukau called Sukau Village View Point & Backpackers. I booked two nights with them on Booking.com, and they even picked me up from Sandakan and dropped me back off after my stay, which was super convenient.

At the lodge, everything, meals, tours, river cruises, was booked separately, which gave me more flexibility to choose when and what I wanted to do. I ended up doing three river cruises in total, and honestly, they were all amazing.

One thing I noticed: the actual river cruise experience seems to be pretty much the same no matter where you stay. Whether you’re at a fancy eco-lodge or a basic homestay, the boats are similar, and the guides all communicate with each other. So when someone spots an orangutan or elephant, all the other boats know and rush over too. That means the real difference between the lodges is just the accommodation style, budget vs. mid-range vs. luxury, not the quality of the tour.

During the cruises, we saw loads of wildlife though, orangutans, proboscis monkeys, hornbills, macaques, silver leaf monkeys, it was seriously the best wildlife experience I’ve had in Southeast Asia so far.

The lodge itself was however pretty basic, and the food was nothing fancy, but we had air-conditioning and a private room for a super low price, so I really can’t complain. That said, after the trip I learned about Tanini Kinabatangan in Bilit, which offers great 3D2N packages that are still affordable but include everything. Definitely worth checking out if you want a smoother all-in-one kind of deal.

Best Areas to Stay Kinabatangan River Sabah

When I was looking for places to stay along the Kinabatangan River, I quickly realised that most of the good lodges aren’t listed on Booking.com or other major platforms. That means you’ll usually need to book your accommodation, or your full Kinabatangan cruise package directly through the lodge’s own website.

So how do you even find these places if they’re not on booking platforms? Honestly, Google Maps was the best tool for me. Just type in Sukau or Bilit, the two main villages along the river, and you’ll see a bunch of lodges and eco-resorts pop up along the water. That’s how I found most of them.

Sukau

Sukau Sabah is where we stayed. And calling it a “village” might be generous, it’s really just a handful of homes and a few local restaurants along the riverbank. We ate at a small place called Leverty Restaurant, which was simple but good. That said, you won’t be hanging out in Sukau much anyway. Most of your time will be spent out on the river doing cruises or relaxing at your lodge.

Bilit

Bilit is just a little further upriver from Sukau, and it’s even smaller. There’s pretty much no village at all, it’s just a handful of river lodges and that’s it. Whether you stay in Sukau or Bilit doesn’t really make a huge difference. What does matter is the lodge you book with, since everything (transport, tours, meals) is organized through them, and that’s where you’ll be spending most of your time in between treks and river cruises.

Remote River Locations

There are also a few more remote lodges scattered along the river that aren’t based in either village. Not many, but they do exist. Some of these offer really cool packages where you actually leave Sandakan by boat, travel into the Kinabatangan River via the coast, and stay at more off-the-beaten-path lodges while slowly making your way back inland. If you’re after something a bit more adventurous and secluded, that might be worth looking into.

1. Kinabatangan River Accomodation in Sukau

Sukau Greenview Lodge // Best Kinabatangan Resort

Sukau Greenview Lodge is located right in Sukau Village, directly on the riverfront, and it’s definitely one of the nicer places to stay along the Kinabatangan River. It’s also one of the very few lodges you can actually book through Booking.com, which makes things way easier. Once you’ve booked your room, you can then add on as many extras as you like, river cruises, jungle treks, transport from Sandakan, or meals.

The lodge itself has spacious private rooms with air conditioning, and there’s an on-site restaurant where they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The usual itinerary here looks something like this: a sunrise river cruise from 6–8am, followed by a jungle walk before lunch, and then another river cruise in the afternoon. It’s a well-organized stay with a good balance of activities and downtime.

Book Here: Sukau Greenview Lodge

Sukau Rainforest Lodge // Best Place to Stay in Sabah

Sukau Rainforest Lodge is, as far as I’m concerned, the most luxurious option for staying by the Kinabatangan River. It’s set right on the riverbank and offers beautifully designed rooms with air conditioning, private bathrooms, a swimming pool, and an on-site restaurant. The whole lodge has a really upscale feel while still blending in perfectly with the jungle surroundings. Honestly, just look at a few photos and you’ll get what I mean, it’s stunning.

To stay at Sukau Rainforest Lodge, you’ll need to book one of their full packages, which range from a simple 1-night stay to a full week. These packages include everything: your accommodation, meals, coffee and snacks, transport, river cruises, and jungle treks. It’s a more premium experience all around, but if you’re after comfort and a seamless trip, this is the place.

Book Here: Sukau Rainforest Lodge

Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge Sukau // They Do the Best Kinabatangan Wildlife Safari

Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge is run by SI Tours, who also manage a few other lodges around Sabah. Because they own multiple spots, they’re able to put together proper multi-day packages that take you all the way from Sandakan by boat, yes, by boat, out over the ocean, then into the river itself. It’s not just the usual van ride and check-in, which makes it a bit cooler if you want something more than the typical tourist circuit.

The lodge in Sukau is really nice too with nice rooms, a pool, and a chill vibe. But honestly, the best part is their longer packages where you get to stay at some of their more remote lodges upriver, away from the crowds. So if you want a deeper Kinabatangan experience that feels a little more off the beaten path, this is the way to go.

Book Here: Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge Sukau

Sukau Village Viewstay

This is where I stayed, Sukau Village Viewstay. I booked it on Booking.com for less than $20 a night for a basic private room with air conditioning, which was exactly what I needed (they also have dorms if you’re really on a budget). After booking, the owner got in touch and sent me a list of all their services and activities to choose from.

They arranged transport from Sandakan to the lodge and back, and I could book river cruises and meals individually, I just had to give them a heads-up 1-2 hours before. I liked the flexibility of that setup. If I didn’t feel like another jungle trek or cruise, I just didn’t book it.

That said, when I added up what I spent for two nights, meals, and activities, around $150, I realized some of the packages you can book upfront might give you better value for about the same price.

Book Here: Sukau Village Viewstay

2. Kinabatangan River Lodges in Bilit

Bilit Adventure Lodge // Best Kinabatangan River Lodge on a Budget

Bilit Adventure Lodge is one of my favorite places I came across around the Kinabatangan River. The rooms are set up in little wooden huts connected by a boardwalk through the Borneo rainforest, just a short walk from the river. Super charming, and the whole place just has a nice, laid-back vibe.

Service here is great too, and one big plus: you can actually book this place on booking.com, which makes the whole process a lot easier. They offer the usual Kinabatangan packages too, a mix of river cruises and jungle treks where you’ll have the chance to spot orangutans, hornbills, and (if you’re lucky) pygmy elephants.

Book Here: Bilit Adventure Lodge

The Last Frontier Boutique Resort

The Last Frontier Boutique Resort is another great option near Bilit, located in the jungle just up from the river. It’s simple, but it has everything you need: clean, spacious rooms, hot showers, and their own restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner between your activities.

If you book through booking.com, most packages include your meals, river cruises, and jungle treks, so it’s all taken care of from the start, which is pretty convenient.

Book Here: The Last Frontier Boutique Resort

Tanini Kinabatangan (Formerly Nature Lodge Kinabatangan)

Tanini Kinabatangan is easily one of the best value-for-money options along the river. The lodge is super new, with clean, spacious, modern rooms, and the entire place looks and feels a step up from most budget options in the area. Honestly, it’s one of the nicest-looking lodges I’ve seen near Kinabatangan.

They also have a second property right next to the orangutan sanctuary in Sepilok, and you can book full packages that sometimes include stays at both locations, which is super convenient if you’re planning to visit both spots.

I heard about Tanini from two fellow travelers who stayed there. They got a great deal by messaging the WhatsApp number listed on the website: 600 MYR each for a 3D2N package in a dorm that included four river cruises and four jungle treks. They couldn’t stop raving about it and said the staff really went above and beyond.

Book Here: Tanini Kinabatangan

3. Kinabatangan River Accommodation in More Remote Locations

Kinabatangan Wetland Resorts // One of the Best Lodges Borneo

Kinabatangan Wetland Resorts is definitely one of the more exclusive places you can stay along the river. It’s way out in the rainforest, far from Sukau or Bilit, and you usually arrive by boat from Sandakan, cruising up from the ocean into the river, which honestly makes the whole arrival feel like part of the adventure.

The lodge itself is beautiful and definitely on the luxury side. You stay in large, well-designed huts that feel more like high-end hotel rooms than jungle cabins. It still has that classic river-lodge feel, but with a real polish to it. The setting is incredible too, completely surrounded by rainforest, no villages or other lodges nearby, just nature.

Book Here: Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort

Tungog Rainforest Eco Camp

Tungog Rainforest Eco Camp is a proper back-to-nature experience. It’s located away from Sukau and Bilit, but still fairly easy to reach since it’s close to the main road coming down from Sandakan. The setup here is simple and super eco-friendly, think wooden platform huts open to the rainforest, so you’re really in it. No frills, no air con, no Wi-Fi—just the sounds of the jungle.

Like many places on the river, you’ll book a 1-, 2-, or 3-night package that includes meals, jungle treks, and river cruises. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re into the raw, off-grid kind of experience, this one’s a solid choice.

Book Here: Tungog Rainforest Eco Camp

Abai Jungle Lodge Kinabatangan River

Abai River Lodge is one of the lodges run by Si Tours (same group behind Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge), and it’s seriously out there, right in the middle of the rainforest, with no village or civilization in sight. You can’t just show up here on your own; it’s only accessible if you book one of their full packages, and they’ll pick you up by boat from Sandakan and take you all the way in.

It’s definitely one of the more remote and unique places to stay along the Kinabatangan River, and it feels way less touristy than the lodges around Sukau or Bilit. If you want that full deep-in-the-jungle kind of experience, this one’s a solid choice.

Book Here: Abai Jungle Lodge Kinabatangan River

FAQs About Where to Stay Kinabatangan River Borneo

What is the best Kinabatangan River Cruise?

They’re all pretty similar to be honest, sunrise and sunset cruises where you quietly float along looking for orangutans, hornbills, crocodiles, and if you’re lucky, pygmy elephants. The main difference is the guide. I had a really sharp one who spotted stuff I’d never have seen on my own.

What is the best Kinabatangan River Lodge?

Depends on your budget. If you want luxury, go for Kinabatangan Wetland Resorts or Sukau Rainforest Lodge. For something nice but more affordable, Tanini Kinabatangan or Bilit Adventure Lodge are great.

Is there good Kinabatangan River accommodation?

Yes, definitely. It’s not five-star hotels, but that’s kind of the point. Most places are small jungle lodges, some are pretty basic, others are surprisingly nice and modern. Even the cheaper ones usually offer packages with river cruises and meals. If you’re okay with simple, you’ll be totally fine.

How to get to Kinabatangan River from Kota Kinabalu?

Easiest way is to fly to Sandakan and then get picked up from Sandakan. Most lodges offer private transfers or you can join a package. Some even offer boat transfers from Sandakan which is actually a pretty cool way to arrive. 

Final Thoughts on The Best Kinabatangan River Accommodation

When it comes to “where to stay Kinabatangan River,” the location honestly doesn’t matter that much. Whether you’re in Sukau, Bilit, or somewhere else along the river, you’ll all be cruising through the same stretch of jungle. Sure, you might technically be in different zones of the wildlife reserve, but no one area is better than the other, you can’t really predict where the animals will show up.

What does matter is the kind of accommodation and experience you’re after. Do you want everything taken care of for you in a more upscale, all-inclusive package? Or do you want to keep it cheap and flexible and just book things as you go? That’s the main thing to figure out.

At the end of the day, the difference comes down to food, rooms, and service and not the actual river cruise. Even if you’re doing it on a budget, you’ll still be floating down the same river, spotting the same wildlife as the people staying in the fancy jungle lodges.

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