7 Days Sabah: Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Selingan, Kinabatangan

Only a week of vacation time??
This 7 days and 6 nights wildlife adventure holiday brings you comfortably from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan. This West to East journey will bring you to a Gaya Island, off Kota Kinabalu then up to the highlands where you pass by Mount Kinabalu, villages, farmland, small towns to the seaside city of Sandakan, a hop over to Selingan 'turtle' island, and then into the riverine jungles of Kinabatangan River which is teeming with wildlife!

This adventure has been specially designed and organized to allow you the best way to see Borneo's nature and wildlife in comfort. You will therefore be travelling through lowlands, montane, and mangrove rainforest, tropical wilderness, wildlife sanctuary, deserted islands, limestone caves, winding rivers and lakes.

Your accommodation will be comfortable city hotels to unique rainforest lodges built of local hardwood. The riverside lodges at Sukau are small, personal and comfortable with twin rooms with ensuite bathroom except on Selingan Island.

What do I get to do?

Within a week, you can see orang utan being fed in the forest, sea turtles coming on the shore to lay their eggs, unique proboscis monkeys gather by the Kinabatangan riverbank every night, learn how edible bird 's nest are collected from limestone caves, Mount Kinabalu - the highest mountain in South East Asia with its collection of native orchids and rhododendrons. You can even appreciate the tropical rainforest from a canopy walkway.

Adventure rating and remarks

4 - You will see the key attractions of Sabah nature and wildlife. You may extend your stay to visit the world renowned diving spots and relax at comfy resorts or take part in outdoor activities!

Rates (in Malaysian Ringgit and per person)

Valid until 31 March 2015

This is non-private tour (join-in program)

RM3,650 per person. Minimum 2 Adults.

Single Supplement : Add RM750

High season surcharge : RM100 per person for hotels in Kota Kinabalu (1 - 7 Oct, 24 Dec 2014 -1 Jan 2015, 16 - 23 Feb 2015)

Itinerary

DAY 1 : KOTA KINABALU - NIGHT MARKET (Dinner)
Arrive in Kota Kinabalu (KK) and transfer to 3-star hotel. We will pick you up in the evening for a brief sunset tour covering Signal Hill overlooking the city centre and the offshore islands. Visit the night market to bargain for the wide array of local spices, souvenirs, fruits and vegetables. Proceed to a restaurant for dinner before we return to your KK hotel.

DAY 2 : GAYA ISLAND RAINFOREST BOARDWALK TOUR (Breakfast & Packed Lunch)
Transfer to jetty for a 20-minutes boat ride to Gaya Island. Explore the 2km jungle trail and learn about some of the unique medicinal plants, tropical hardwood trees, coastal vegetation, tropical Dipterocarp rainforest and the ecology of the mangrove forest. Transfer across to Mamutik Island for lunch. Relax, snorkel and free at leisure before returning at 1500 hours. Overnight in KK hotel.

Camera Fee is not included.
Snorkeling gear is available for hire at a surcharge. Only packed lunch and transfers provided.

DAY 3 : KINABALU PARK WORLD HERITAGE SITE - PORING HOT SPRINGS (Breakfast & Lunch)
Drive 2 hours overland to the foothills of Mt. Kinabalu at 5,000ft. A short stop at roadside stalls at Nabalu market to savour local fruits in season. Visit the Education Centre and Mountain Garden.

Continue 40 km overland journey to Poring at 1,500ft asl. Explore tropical rainforest among the jungle trail leading to the treetop canopy walkways (excludes camera/video fee) suspended 41 meters across above the forest floor. Return to Kota Kinabalu and stay overnight in hotel.

Camera Fee is not included.

DAY 4 : SANDAKAN - SELINGAN ISLAND (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Transfer to Kota Kinabalu airport for morning flight (40 minutes) to Sandakan and arrive before 0800 hours. On arrival, transfer to jetty for 1-hour boat ride to Selingan Island. Free at leisure to explore island, swim and snorkel. After dinner, wait for signal from the Park Ranger before proceeding to watch Green Turtle lay eggs on the beach, transplanting of eggs to hatchery and release of baby turtles to the sea. Stay overnight in Twin-Share room.

Flash photography of turtles is strictly prohibited between 6pm - 6am. Camera fee is not included.
Snorkeling gear available for hire at a surcharge.

Note: (November-February) Please be advised that the trip to Selingan Island involves boat journey via the Sulu Sea. In the event of inclement weather condition during or before the boat journey, the groundhandler will have the absolute discretion to cancel or postpone the trip if it is deemed that the journey will jeopardize the safety of our passengers. In the event of cancellation, a replacement tour will be offered. The groundhandler and WHOA will not be liable for any compensation.

DAY 5 : SELINGAN ISLAND - SEPILOK - SUKAU (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Return to Sandakan by boat. Transfer to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. Walk ten minutes through the rainforest on wooden boardwalks to witness the feeding of the orang utans at 1000hrs, and then proceed to watch a video show.

After lunch, transfer to Sandakan jetty for 2½ hours boat journey to the multi awards winning Sukau Rainforest Lodge along Sabah's longest river, Kinabatangan with opportunity to view birds and wildlife. Take a river cruise using electric motor in search of wildlife and birds. Enjoy candle light dinner overlooking the riverbank followed by slide show and interpretation by naturalist guide. Stay overnight at the Sukau Rainforest Lodge.

DAY 6 : SUKAU (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Take a 0600hrs morning river cruise up the Kinabatangan River to Kelenanap oxbow lake to view more birds and wildlife. After breakfast, proceed for an educational tour along our Hornbill Boardwalk located behind the lodge with our in-house naturalist. In the afternoon, we proceed for another river cruise for more wildlife. Stay overnight at the Sukau Rainforest Lodge.

Try the lodge's rejuvenating Foot Spa Treatment (Additional charges apply)

DAY 7 : SANDAKAN (Breakfast & Lunch)
After breakfast, return to Sandakan by boat journey. After lunch we will proceed to airport for the 1430hrs flight to Kota Kinabalu. For those taking the evening flight, we will have a chance to visit Rainforest Discovery Centre. Take a bird view of the centre from the canopy walk and hanging bridge, explore the botanical garden, home to various species of flora. Proceed to Sandakan Memorial Park for a short visit before taking drop off at airport or hotel in Sandakan.

End of service

What does it include?

Tours and transfers, accommodation and meals specified, entrance fees and English speaking guide

What does it exclude?

Flights, camera fee, snorkelling gear, insurance, and items not mentioned.

What to bring/wear?

Raincoat, insect repellent, sun block lotion, swimwear, towel, drinking water, torch/flashlight, toiletries and items of personal use. Use good walking/hiking shoes. Wear comfortable breathable clothing.

Best time to visit

This trip is available year round.

Getting here

There are daily flights to Kota Kinabalu from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) via Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia and several other international airlines from different international destinations.