13 days in Sabah: nature & wildlife discovery

Kuala Lumpur Airport - Kuala Lumpur

Day 1: Welcome To Malaysia!

Welcome To Malaysia!

Upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur Airport, your driver will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel.

Kuala Lumpur - Kuala Lumpur Airport - Kota Kinabalu

Day 2: Catch A Flight To Kota Kinabalu

Depending on your flight schedule, you will be picked up by your private driver and taken to Kuala Lumpur Airport to catch a domestic flight to Kuching.

Upon arrival in Kota Kinabalu, your driver will be waiting for you at the exit of the airport to take you to your hotel where you can relax from the journey or explore the area.

Kota Kinabalu

Day 3: Visit Kinabalu Park, A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Today, grab breakfast and get an early start of the day before being picked up from your hotel at 7 AM.

After three hours, you will reach the Poring Hot Springs. Along the way, stop at Nabalu Village to enjoy local fruits and shop for local handicrafts. Upon arrival, observe the wildlife along the canopy walkway and soak in one of the soothing, hot mineral springs amid beautifully landscaped gardens.

The journey continues to Kinabalu Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With your guide, explore the mountain gardens, home to many species of orchids, pitcher plants, birds, insects, and butterflies before returning to Kota Kinabalu in the late afternoon.

Kota Kinabalu

Day 4: A Day Of Island Hopping & Relaxation In Kota Kinabalu

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, before taking a 15-minute boat ride from Kota Kinabalu to the beautiful coral islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. Offering pristine white beaches, clear water, and coral reefs this is the perfect getaway from the town! 

Next, take a short boat ride to Manutik or Manukan Islands for a day of relaxation and swimming. A mask and snorkel are provided.

Enjoy lunch on the island and then afterward return to Kota Kinabalu in the mid-afternoon.

Kota Kinabalu - Sandakan - Kinabatangan

Day 5: Visit The Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary 

In the morning, you'll be picked up from Sandakan Airport & Hotel to visit the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary where captive orangutans are reintroduced into the wild.

Observe them at their feeding stations in the rainforest and at the nursery! Watch the feeding session at 10 AM. Next, proceed to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC). This center rescues captured sun bears and is involved in sun bear conservation, welfare, rehabilitation, and education. Over 30 sun bears live at the center in the bear house and outdoor enclosures.

At 11:30 AM travel by road to Sukau, you'll arrive at Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge around 1:30 PM and have lunch. At 4:30 PM, go on a river cruise at the Kinabatangan River to the Menanggul River in search of proboscis monkeys, birds, reptiles, and other wildlife.

Next, catch a domestic flight from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan.

Kinabatangan

Day 6: Enjoy A Cruise Down Menanggul & Kinabatangan River

In the early morning, take a boat trip for bird watching and wildlife viewing at the nearby Ox Bow Lake.

Trek in the lush riverine forest along the lake and then return to the lodge for breakfast. In the afternoon, venture on another river cruise down the Menanggul River and along the Kinabatangan River.

In the evening, return back to your lodge at dusk where you'll have some time to relax. 

Kinabatangan - Lahad Datu - Tabin

Day 7: Visit Tabin Wildlife Reserve

After breakfast, leave the lodge and drive two hours overland to Lahad Datu.

Upon arrival, continue for the scheduled transfer to Tabin Wildlife Reserve on a gravel road for about an hour and a half. Check into the charming timber bungalow of Tabin Wildlife Resort, a real luxury in the forest. 

A variety of birds, insects, and even small mammals can be sighted quite easily within the resort which is set amongst the rainforest alongside the Lipad River.

Discover the rich variety of jungle herbs, some endemic, used for generations by local folks for the treatment of various ailments.

In the afternoon, visit the Lipad Mud Volcano which serves as a mineral salt lick for wildlife. 

After dinner, enjoy a slide presentation on Tabin’s uniqueness, followed by a Night Safari ​to look out for nocturnal wildlife and birds.

Tabin

Day 8: Visit Tabin Rainforest Foot Soak

In the early morning, do a bird walk to discover some of Tabin’s rich collection of almost 300 bird species!

After breakfast, embark on a trek through the lush green rainforest known for its rich diversity of plants and animal species to visit the Lipad Waterfall. Take a dip in the natural pool and enjoy a natural and refreshing shower under the waterfall. Take time to relax or explore the surrounding vegetation.

In the afternoon, you may wish to try out the Tabin Rainforest Foot Soak made with a natural blend of herbs, to relax tired muscles after long jungle treks. In the evening, go on a dusk drive to look for nocturnal wildlife.

In the evening, return back to Tabin Wildlife Resort.

Tabin - Kota Kinabalu - Pantai Manis

Day 9: Catch A Flight To Kota Kinabalu, Then Drive To Pantai Manis

After breakfast, stroll to the nearby rock pool or the riverside where groups of macaques and other small mammals can sometimes be seen. Choose to take a dip in the river or simply listen to the sound of nature before leaving Tabin.

Depart on the scheduled transfer to Lahad Datu Airport, where you'll catch a domestic flight from Mulu to Kota Kinabalu.

Upon arrival, your driver will pick you up and bring you from Kota Kinabalu to Pantai Manis.

Pantai Manis

Day 10: Enjoy A Free Day In Pantai Manis

Today, enjoy a free day in Pantai Manis.

Have breakfast in an idyllic setting with a view of the small wild island of Pulau Pandan. When it comes to activities, your on-site accommodation will take care of everything, including kayaking, snorkeling, or diving.

Pantai Manis

Day 11: Enjoy Another Free Day In Pantai Manis

Enjoy breakfast, and spend another free day in Pantai Manis, as you wish. 

How about spending a lovely day at the seaside doing water sports while admiring the impressive Mount Kinabalu from your boat? The west coast of the Sabah region is home to intact coral reefs and rich underwater fauna.

Pantai Manis - Kota Kinabalu - Kuala Lumpur

Day 12: Catch A Flight From Kota Kinabalu To Kuala Lumpur

In the morning, enjoy breakfast before leaving the beautiful beach of Pantai Manis and arriving at Kota Kinabalu Airport with your driver.

Catch a domestic flight from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur. 

Upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur Airport, your driver will welcome you at the airport and then drive you to your hotel where you can quietly settle down.

Kuala Lumpur - Kuala Lumpur Airport

Day 13: Farewell!

Depending on your flight schedule, you will be picked up by your private driver and taken to Kuala Lumpur Airport to catch your flight back home or to continue your travels.