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3 Days Selingan Turtle Island & Kinabatangan Experience
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This is probably the ultimate short wildlife adventure for Sandakan. You will head out to Sulu Sea for Selingan island, 40km away from main land, for an opportunity to see wild hawksbill and green sea turtles coming ashore to lay eggs for a future generation. Next day, you will catch up with the orangutans and sunbear in Sepilok before heading out to the Kinabatangan River where you will go on river safari to spot riverside wildlife such as proboscis monkeys, crocodiles and wild Borneo elephants. Before you leave Sandakan, there will be an opportunity to walk into Gomantong Cave to experience the cavernous space, view the creepy crawlies and to see how bird's nest is collected.
Selingan Island. Image: Jacadatravel
The Turtle Island Park (gazetted 1977) lies 40km north of Sandakan in the Sulu Sea and consists of Selingan, Bakungan Kecil and Gulisan islands. The park is a safe haven for the endangered green and hawksbill turtles and gives you the rare opportunity to watch turtle landings which usually occur after dusk. Selingan, the largest of the islands, houses the park's headquarters, a turtle hatchery, tourist accommodation and basic facilities. The other two islands are more for conservation activities.
Image (above): MasenangTravel
Green Turtle being measured for research purposes at Selingan Island. Image: Michael Stephens
This photo of Gomantong Cave Sandakan is courtesy of TripAdvisor
Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center
Nature Lodge Kinabatangan
Your accommodation will be the simple and comfortable Agamid Chalet found in Nature Lodge Kinabatangan. The lodge is located in Kampung Bilit, a small village with less than 200 residents.
The lodge is surrounded by jungle which has a rich eco-system housing a diverse wildlife and plant life that's intertwined with the people that live here. Arriving at the lodge, you will be faraway from modernity. Mobile network and data coverage is very limited. The lodge works with the community here, providing them a vital source of income, education and exposure to the outside world.
Rate (in Malaysian Ringgit and per person)
Valid until December 2019
No additional GST
Join in Tour
Minimum 2 Adults
Child rate applicable for those aged 09 years and below. Maximum 2 child per room - sharing 1 bed. Subject to available chalet room. Child rates do not apply when not sharing room with parents.
Accommodation: Nature Lodge Kinabatangan |
Adult |
Child (Sharing same room with parent) |
Deluxe Agamid Chalet Aircond |
1535 | 790 |
Itinerary
DAY 1 (L,D)
Pick up from any hotels within Sandakan at 0800 hrs or Sandakan Airport (MH2042 @ 0750 hrs OR AK6092 @ 0750hrs). Transfer to the jetty for boat ride to Selingan Turtle Islands Park. The journey to Island will take approximately 45 minutes. Upon arrival, register at the Parks HQ and check into chalet. At 1200 hrs, lunch at cafeteria and then free at own leisure. The chalets have facilities for swimming or snorkeling.
After dinner, wait for rangers call to observe turtle laying eggs. Transfer the eggs to the hatchery and opportunity to observe the release of baby turtles to the open sea. Then overnight at chalet (Common or Attached Bathroom).
DAY 2 (B,L,D)
After breakfast, depart island to Sandakan at 0700hrs. Proceed to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center. At this world renowned center, come face to face with human’s closest relative, the Orang Utans. Orang Utans share 97% of the same DNA as humans. The Orang Utans feeding time is at 1000 hrs.
After that, continue the trip by visiting the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation centre. The sun bear is the smallest, most arboreal and least known of the bear family measuring between 120–150 cm long and between 60-78 cm high at the shoulder. Unlike other bears, the sun bear’s dark brown or black fur is short and sleek, probably due to the lowland climates it lives in. On their chest sits a pale beige horseshoe shape marking which gives the sun bear its name being said to resemble a setting or rising sun. Similar color fur can be found around the muzzle and the eyes. Sun bears in Borneo live in the forest. In fact, they are so clever at hiding themselves in the trees that you would be extremely lucky if you see one in the wild.
Then proceed for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, transfer to the Nature Lodge Kinabatangan which is located at the Lower Kinabatangan River Sanctuary. The journey will take approximately 2 hours, passing by Kota Kinabatangan town and also oil palm plantation. Catch a glimpse of the curious long tail macaques while on the last leg along Kampung Bilit road. Transfer from the Kampung Bilit jetty to Nature Lodge Kinabatangan, just 3 mins by boat across the River. Welcome drinks will be served upon arrival. After which, guests will be given a verbal orientation of the Lodge and the surrounding area. Proceed to check into our superior category chalets. Afternoon boat cruise at 1600 hrs to search for wildlife and bird-life along the Kinabatangan river banks. Return to the Lodge for dinner. A guided night walks to enjoy the wilderness of the jungle right after the dinner. Then overnight at the Lodge.
DAY 3 (B)
Don’t be surprised to be woken up by the calls of gibbons and hornbills. At 0600 hrs, take a morning river cruise to see more birds and wildlife. Return to the lodge for breakfast at 0745 hrs. Proceed to check out and at 0915 hrs, we will transfer you to Gomantong Caves, the largest limestone hill and the most important source of edible bird nest in Sabah. Then continue your journey back to Sandakan and transfer to either your hotel or airport (MH2047 @ 1400 hrs OR AK6097 @ 1425 hrs).
*All tours are subject to weather conditions
What's included?
Return road and boat transfers, Turtle island visit & entrance fee, accommodation at Turtle island in chalet with attached bathroom, Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre visit & entrance fee, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & entrance fee, accommodation at Nature Lodge Kinabatangan-chalet, English speaking guide, River cruise ( 1 morning & 1 late afternoon), 1 Guided night nature walk, Gomantong Cave visit & entrance fee, meals as stated, free flow of coffee & tea
What's excluded?
Insurance, flights, items not mentioned
What to wear / bring?
Personal gear, insect repellent, raincoat, hat, binocular, torchlight and sunscreen. Use good walking shoes and comfortable cotton T-shirt, long sleeve shirt and long or short pant. Don’t forget to bring your camera.
Getting Here
Sandakan is located on the coastal east of Sabah State, about 330km from Kota Kinabalu. It is reachable by overland transport (Approximately 6 hours), or by flight (eg. MAS and Airasia airlines)