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Why Choosing Sandakan and how to go?

-         The world famous Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation

Centre,Selingan Turtle Island, Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary,

Lankayan for diving, Labuk Bay Proboscis monkey Sanctuary,

Gomantong cave, all this in Sandakan!

-         1 daily flight MAS Airline and 2 daily flight AirAsia.it took

you about 2 hours and 30 minutes from Kuala Lumpur

 or 40 minutes flight from Kota Kinabalu,3 daily flight (MAS)

 and 2 daily

flight (AirAsia). 

Keen on an exotic monkey watching adventure in Borneo? Sukau is a good bet

 by any standard. The riverine destination is just a couple of hours southeast of

modern Sandakan, not far from the Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre.

Ten species of monkeys and apes are found in 25,000 hectares of the Kinabatangan

 Wetlands Sanctuary, rated the highest concentration of primates in the whole of Borneo.

The area has a plethora of animals like the Clouded Leopard, Asian Elephant, Crocodiles,

Civet Cats, Otters, all eight species of Hornbills found in Borneo, Egrets, magnificent

Kingfishers, Storks, Hawks and the incredible Oriental Darter which dive into

 rivers and lakes to pursue fish!

Proboscis Monkey - an exotic monkey can be found in Kinabatangan Wetland

What to See/do

Proboscis Monkey
This is the most amazing and bizarre three footer, pot-bellied male Proboscis Monkey found

nowhere else in the world except Borneo. No fossils had ever been dug up outside Borneo,

a point that mystifies scientists. Sighting of the Proboscis Monkeys is guaranteed

 because they have one fixed habit, that is they always sleep overnight on trees

above riverbanks. Knowing this, tour operators arrange daily evening or

early morning river joy rides either along the Kinabatangan-Sabah's longest river,

or its tributaries, especially the Menangol.

The Proboscis monkeys are fun to watch because they are very active.

They frolic around like skilled aerial acrobats, leaping through tree gaps

and breaking through masses of leaves dangerously and noisily but always

 making it.They are also great divers. Visitors have seen them diving 60 feet into

 rivers and since they are web-footed, they can swim strongly across rivers!

There are about eleven beautiful ox-bow lakes in the area that are rich

 in fish and prawns. Riverside chalets are available for overnight accommodations.

 

Earth hath no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.
~Thomas Moore~

 

  

 

 

THE PROBOSCIS MONKEY

The greatest concentration of wildlife in Borneo, is found near Sandakan, along the lower regions of Sabah's biggest and longest river, the Kinabatangan. Orangutans, macaques, red and silver leaf monkeys, elephants, birds, eight species of hornbills, crocodiles, civet cats and otters are found in this region, but the most famous and most bizarre animal is the Proboscis monkey (a primate found only in Borneo). With its huge pendulous nose, a characteristic pot belly and strange honking sounds, it is one of the most peculiar and ugliest (or beautiful???) animals in the world. There is only one species of the proboscis monkey, Nasalis larvatus. The distinctive physical feature from which this monkey takes its name is the long pendulous nose of mature males. The Proboscis Monkey is found only in the coastal areas of Borneo and the Mentawai islands west of Sumatra living in coastal mangrove swamps and riverine forests on the lower reaches of major rivers coastal and mangrove forests CLASS: Mammalia ORDER:Primates SUBORDER : Anthropoidea FAMILY : Cercopithectdae which includes 18 genera and 81 species. These monkeys are widely distributed in the Old World, from southern Europe (Gibraltar) to Africa and through central and SE Asia, including southern China and Japan. SUBFAMILY: Colobinae GENUS:  Nasalis SPECIES: larvatus   (Proboscis monkey) MALAYSIAN NAME:  Monyet Belanda - "Dutchman Monkey". The proboscis monkey got its Malay name during the colonial period. The locals felt that the Proboscis resembled the European traders and colonialists (both were hairy, both had big noses, both had pot bellies!). SIZE:males - 56 to 72 cm WEIGHT: 8.2 to 23. kg GESTATION: 166 days. One young is born at a time, and breeding is not restricted to a season. COLORATION: Reddish-brown or chestnut color on the back, orange on the shoulders with grey limbs and long white tails. A little dark red fur on the top of the head goes down the back LIFE SPAN: BEHAVIOUR: Proboscis monkeys move about and live in groups of 11-32. They live in single-male harems with about seven females. The small harems often come together to form multiple-male bands which are thought to be temporary foraging aggregations. Often bands of up to 60 can be found roosting together in trees near rivers at night. Males usually leave their natal groups and can be either solitary or form bachelor herds before getting their own harems. Females may move from one harem to another when young, but otherwise harems are stable. Males confront intruders. DIET: Proboscis monkeys are vegetarian and predominantly eat leaves, although fruit, seeds, and flowers are included in their diet when available. The prefer the pedada leaves. HABITAT: Proboscis monkeys live almost exclusively in mangrove forests near fresh water and in lowland rainforests. They can be found near rivers edges, resting and sleeping. Areas around human settlements are completely avoided. They are mostly arboreal (tree living) but have been known to leave the trees in order to cross open ground, or pass through nipah palms. FEATURES: The male and female are distinguished by the size of the body and the nose. The male is bigger than the female and its nose is more pointed. Females do not have this characteristic. The nose of male, can be 4 inches long, hangs down like a small trunk to the end of the monkey's mouth. In the female and the young, the nose is shorter and turned up at the end. The males' big nose is a secondary sex characteristic: the bigger the nose is, the sexier the monkey is. It has also been suggested that the nose aids in radiating excess body heat. These monkeys are also proficient swimmers and expert at leaping from tree to tree, or from a riverside tree into the middle of a river. They often cross rivers and narrow points in big groups because they run a risk of being preyed upon by crocodiles, while in the water. Though protected by law and listed as endangered by the USDI and Appendix 1 of CITES, this unusual monkey is threatened with extinction owing to loss of habitat and hunting. Their habitat is under severe threat from logging and land clearing for plantations. Deforestation is the main threat to the Proboscis Monkey. Hunting by locals, has also contributed to the decline in the monkey's population. In 1977, about 6,400 proboscis monkeys were found living in Sarawak. Today there are only 1,000. There are 2,000 in Sabah and maybe 4,000 or so in Kalimantan. A number of conservation measures have been implemented to protect the proboscis monkey. The Sarawak Forestry Department was the first to do a detailed study of the species, and the government has gazetted national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to provide protection. The Forestry Department also has an education unit which educates the people, living in villages, on the importance of wildlife conservation. Sabah is Malaysia's most important nature conservation area. The Sabah State Government is in the process of establishing the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. WWF Malaysia has been working with the Sabah Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Development, Sabah Forestry Department and Sabah Wildlife Department since 1983 on a number of projects in the Kinabatangan area. These projects include surveys of crocodiles, orang- utans, waterbirds and other wildlife. SUMATRAN RHINOCEROUS         Sumatran rhinos once widespread throughout mainland Southeast Asia from North Burma to the Malay Peninsular, the islands of Borneo and Sumatra, now known to exist only in Malaya, Borneo and Sumatra. The word rhinoceros means 'nose-horn', which is appropriate as rhinos are the only mammals with horns on their noses. All other horned mammals have horns on their heads. There are five species living today: the black and white rhinos of Africa and the Sumatran rhino (two horned), and the Indian and the Javan which (one horned). Despite the name, the horns are not made of horn, nor do they have a bone in the middle but consists solely of thousands of tightly packed , incredibly strong modified hair known as keratin. ORDER: Perissodactlya (odd-toed hoofed mammals) FAMILY: Rhinocerotidae< br> SUBFAMILY: Dicerorhinae  (two-horned rhinos) GENUS:  Dicerorhinus  (from the Greek di, meaning "two"; cero, meaning "horn" and rhinus, meaning "nose") SPECIES: sumatrensis (referring to Sumatra with the Latin -ensis, meaning locality) MALAYSIAN NAME: Badak Berendam COMMON NAMES: Sumatran rhinoceros Asian two-horned rhinoceros, only 2 horned Asian rhino. Hairy rhinoceros: refers to the long, shaggy hair found on the species in contrast to the other, hairless species. SIZE: 1.2 to 1.3 meters  (5ft.) tall and 2.5 to 2.8 meters (8-9ft.) long WEIGHT: 1,600-2,000 pounds  (900 kgs) GESTATION: 17 months. One young is born COLORATION:  The skin is slate grey covered with short greyish-black hairs. Younger animals have a reddish-brown coat. The hairs grow 2.5 cm (1in.) per year. It has fringed ears and two horns . FEATURES: The Sumatran, a.k.a. the hairy, rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) is probably the most endangered of all rhinoceros species. Numbers have declined by 50% due to poaching over the last 10 years. Fewer than 400 Sumatran rhino survive in very small and highly fragmented populations in Southeast Asia with Indonesia and Malaysia being the only significant range states. Furthermore, there is no indication that the situation is showing any signs of stabilizing. The Sumatran rhinoceros is the smallest of the five existing species of rhinoceros. It is more hairy than any of the others and has two horns on its snout - though these are shorter and rounder than those of the white rhino. Females have smaller horns compared to the males. Rhinos are ungulates  (animals with hooves), with short, stout legs, thick skin and tufted ears which are pointed and can move independantly The skin texture is granular and has a sparse but even coat of short stiff hairs. The tail is equipped with a row of thick, black wiry hairs which grow in a line along the underside and the top of the tip. BEHAVIOUR:  The fearsome appearence of the rhino masks a gentle, largely passive creature. Despite the occasional show of aggression, they live life at a leisurely pace. Most of their day is spent eating, sleeping and - their favourite occupation - wallowing in mud !! They are very agile and can run upto 50 kilometres (30 miles) per hour. When distured unexpectedly they flee rapidly giving a series of short hoarse barks. Rhinos are shy, solitary animals and live alone or in small temporary groups of about seven animals. The rhino mothers are fiercely protective of their offspring and their relationship with the young calves is among the strongest in the animal world. Solitary with the exception of females with claves; males solitary but visit female territories to mate. Feeds on fruit, leaves, twigs and bark. Both male and females sexually mature at 7 to 8 years of age. Gestation period approximately 17 months; interbirth interval of 1 calf every 3 to 4 years. Life span is approximately 32 years They prefer to wallow their days in pools of water and mud to escape the effects of the sun and remain submerged for hours. When they finally emerge they are covered with a coat of mud which act as a barrier against the bites of insects and parasites. Soon afterwards they rub themselves against trees and rocks. The Asian species are excellent swimmers, able to cross the widest rivers. DIET :   Though predominantly browsers , the rhinos live on a diet of grass, mature leaves, barks and twigs from a wide range of woody plants and young saplings. This diet is often supplemented with fruits and shrubs. The Sumatran and the Javan rhinos are rainforest dwellers with a larger intake of fruits, more than the other species. Favourites include figs and mangoes, although they also eat lichen and fungi. HABITAT:  The Sumatran rhinos being timid and secretive in nature, inhabit the steep slopes of mountainous jungle terrain wherever they have access to enough vegetation and water to maintain their bulk. Records in Sabah, East Malaysia indicate that these animals are usually within a 14 km radius of a mineral source. TRACKS, DUNG & OTHER CHARACTERISTICS:  Rhino tracks (spoor) are important as the presence of these animals are usually indicated by their footprints : adults on firm soil 18.5 - 23.5 cm across at widest point, showing 3 clear toe marks. In mud wallows, they have a clear, deep horn marks in the sides of the wallow, distinguishing it from other large mammals. Rhino's dung consists of coarsely chopped woody material about 9 cm in diameter, usually found in small piles, sometimes in mounds frequently used over long periods. The chinese especially regard the dung as highly medicinal. They spray bushes and tree trunks with their strong-smelling urine to mark their territory. There are less than 500 rhinos alive and their numbers are still diminishing. They are threatened with severe habitat destruction and are also threatened with extinction largely due to the superstitious belief that the substance of their horns and other parts are of medicinal value especially in promoting virility. There is no foundation for this belief; the horns of the rhinos have the same constitution as hair, and scrapings from one have the same therapeutic value, or lack of it, as chopped up horsrhair ! It is a pity that men destroy and kill anything for their own benefit !

Oriental Darter The Oriental Darter or Indian Darter (Anhinga melanogaster ), sometimes called Snakebird,  is a water bird of tropical South Asia and Southeast Asia. It is a cormorant-like species  that has a very long neck. It often swims with only the neck above water. It is a fish-eater. The Oriental Darter differs in appearance from American darters most recognisably by its white lateral neck stripe. It builds a stick nest in a tree and lays 3-6 eggs.

Asian Elephant, The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus), sometimes known by the name of its nominate subspecies (the Indian Elephant), is one of the three living species of elephant, and the only living species of the genus Elephas. The species is found primarily in large parts of Malaysia, West Malaysia (Borneo), Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka,  Indochina and parts of Indonesia. It is considered endangered, with between 25,600 and 32,750 left in the wild. It is smaller than its African relatives; the easiest way to distinguish the two is that the Asian elephant has smaller ears. The Asian Elephant tends to grow to around two to four meters (7'–12') in height and 3,000–5,000 kilograms (6,500–11,000 pounds) in weight. ASIAN ELEPHANT Elephants are the largest land mammals of Malaysia. Their imposing stature and docile temprament combine to make them one of the best loved animals. The Asian species inspite of its Latin name is smaller than the African;  Asian elephants range from Bangladesh to Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India to Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. Elephants are indegenious to Malaysia and a wild population is found in the north-eastern part of Borneo. Most live in forests but some can be found on plains and marshes. About 14,000 to 17,000 domesticated elephants work in Asia, mostly in logging. ORDER: Proboscidea (animals with trunks) SUBORDER: Elephantoidea (elephant-like forms) FAMILY: Elephantidea (elephants) GENUS: Elephas SPECIES: maximus SUBSPECIES: indicus  (Malaysian elephant) MALAYSIAN NAME: Gajah. The west Malaysians refer to it as "Pak Tulang" meaning father bones and the east Malaysians call it "nenek" meaning grandmother. Elephants are feared by the people and they feel that if they call it by its real name, one might just pop out of nowhere and harm them ! SIZE: 2.5 to 3 metres  (8 to 10 ft.) high. Adult males are 15% larger than the female elephants. WEIGHT: 5000 kilograms  (11,000 lbs.) GESTATION: 21 months. 1 - 2 babies are born and they are nursed for about 2 years. A baby elephant weighs about 1200 lbs. at birth. COLORATION:  Grey LIFE SPAN: 8 to 12 years in both sexes. The longest authenticated period in captivity is 57 years. The life span of an elephant is limited by the duration of its molar teeth (6 in each jaw). The molars do not grow together but one after another, throughout the elephants life. Only one enormous molar (parts of two) are present in the jaw at any one time. As it wears down each one is substituted by the next in succession and when the sixth and the last molars have erupted and worn away, the elephant can no longer chew its food and dies. Anyone willing to design dentures ??? BEHAVIOUR: Elephants are social animals, living in herds of 5 to 20 animals, usually under a dominant bull. Herds usually split and merge with each herd having its own beat. They live in a close knit family group and within the group individual elepahants know their status. They communicate by making rumbling sounds or trumpeting, by touching each other with their trunks and by sniffing the scents of others. Elephants like wallowing in water not only to cool down but to take care of their skin which is very sensitive. Using their trunks they also coat their skins with a thick layer of mud. This dries on the body and helps to protect them from the sun, parasites and insects. They are mostly active from two hours before dusk to two hours after dawn. They sleep for only 4 to 5 hours a day , usually waking at 15 minute intervals to check for danger. The hottest part of the day is spent resting under shady trees. They can travel for many square kilometres and swim across rivers. Elephants show the same emotions as humans. They rejoice when greeting friends , comfort the young and the sick and protect their family from danger.They even grieve when another member of the group dies, covering the body with lefy branches or staying with them for several days. Their social behaviour is very complex and not yet fully understood. DIET: Needing little sleep, elephants spend most of their days foraging for the enormous amounts of vegetation they need to eat in order to sustain their huge bulk. They can find their way over vast expanses of any kind of terrain in search of food and water. Their diet is varied and can consist of anything from grass and leaves, to fruits and flowers, to tree bark, even mineral rich soils. Sixty plants have been identified in their natural diet. The cultivated plants are paddy, sugar cane, bananas, sweet-potatoes, tapioca, coconut, rubber and palms. In captivity they require about 125 kilograms of hay daily, plus grains. They are particularly fond of beer and other forms of alcohol; they are known to seek out fermenting durian fruits in Malaysia Malaysian elephants are particularly fond of bananas and palms. Each year they cause extensive damage to oil palm plantations by raiding the crop. They not only eat the palm shoots but have a nasty habit of uprooting several plants in a few hours. Elephants also require 35 to 50 gallons of drinking water per day. To drink, the elephant sucks water in its trunk and squeezes the end shut. Then it puts its trunk into its mouth and lets the water gush down its throat. When drinking it breathes only through its mouth. Baby elephants need lots of practice to learn how to drink using their trunks and when they are very young ,will frequently drink with only their mouth, curling their trunks out of the way. HABITAT: Elephants need a large living space as they are pure herbivores. Plants do not give as much energy as meat, so they have to graze over wide areas. The size of an elephant herd is dependant on its habitat. The more fertile a habitat is, the larger the herd it can support. The size of its ears reflect its haitat: the hotter the climate the larger the ears, because it uses its ears to cool down by flapping them. FEATURES: The elephant's most distinguishing feature is its long flexible trunk, which are infact incisor teeth which first appear when the elephant is 2 years old. It is made up of thousands of tiny muscles,giving it incredile power and also enales it to take food from anywhere. The trunk continues to grow throughout the elephants life and weighs 60 kilograms (130 lbs). It contains over 40,000 muscles and tendons! They have ivory tusks which are larger in male elephants. The largest tusk found in Malaysia was 1.75 metres long and weighed 41 kilograms. The size of its ears reflect its haitat: the hotter the climate the larger the ears. The large flappy ears are another distintive feature of the elephant. They are triangular in shape and used for cooling when flapped. The size of its ears reflect its haitat: the hotter the climate the larger the ears. Their legs are made of a pillar of thick bone with a broad foot, supported by a fatty material which helps to spead the elephants weight. Considering their size, elephants are remarkably light on their feet. ! Elephants have thick, wrinkled skin which is highly sensetive and liable to crack. Elephants have become victims of human vanity. For millions of years they roamed freely, now over the course of time they have come under the threat of extinction. The surviving population of elephants in Malaysia in 1977 was 556 only. The space that elephants need is no longer there as more and more land is being cultivated and roads and railways replace forest valleys. The most serious threat to the elephants is the ivory trade. Ivory is simply elephant tusk, but it has been treasured for centuries for carving intricate objects. Carvings and curios fetch a high price and as long as there is a demand for these objects the killings will go on. When one elephant is killed the others tend to stay around it rather than fleeing, so whole groups can be killed in one go. Conservation of Asian elephants is under way, but worldwide efforts are required to save it from extinction. A national initiative called Project Elephant is being planned to safeguard wild elephants in India. If successful, it should guarantee the elephants survival there, even if it continues to decline elsewhere in Asia. The future of the largest land animal lies in our hands !

Woodpecker

Birdlife
Among the 200 species found in the region are 8 species of hornbill (rhinoceros, helmeted,

 black, pied, wreathed, wrinkled, white crowned and bushy crested), oriental darter, several

species of egret, Storm’s stork, Sunda ground cuckoo, stork billed kingfisher, brahminy

 kite, crested serpent eagle, greater coucal, red-crowned barbet, black and yellow

broadbill, white-rumped shama, white-chested babbler, heron, hawk, osprey, falcon,

pheasant, parakeet, buffy fish owl, frogmouth, nightjar, trogon, bee eater, roller,

woodpecker, pitta, swallow, bulbul, forktail, warbler, flycatcher, flowerpecker, spiderhunter,

drongo, oriole and crow. Some 27 species of bats and an estimated 2.1

 million bats, mostly wrinkled-lipped bats roost in Gomantong Caves.

Among the famous inbabitants are four species of swiftlets namely white-nest swiftlet,

 black-nest swiftlet, mossy-nest swiftlet and white-bellied swiftlet. However only

 the first two species produce the coveted edible nests, which are made out of their saliva.

 

Tarsier There are at least three species found in the Borneo, in Philippines and Sumatra, and in Sulawesi. Tarsiers are about 6 in. (15 cm) long with  a 10 in. (25 cm) hairless tail, and weigh about 4.5 oz (130 g). The body is covered with dense brown fur. Enormous round eyes are set close  together in a flat face. Tarsiers' legs are specialized for climbing and jumping and end in long, thin digits bearing adhesive pads. They feed on insects and reptiles. They are believed to mate for life and to form  family groups. Tarsiers are classified in the phylum Chordata, subphylum  Vertebrata, class Mammalia, order Primates, family Tarsiidae. Crocodiles Saltwater Crocodiles are an awesome creature to see, especially in the wild in an area where  they are abundant and thriving.

How to get there

Made possible with several daily flights link from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan,  Lahad Datu and Tawau. Other travel from Kota Kinabalu is also possible by air-conditioned coach and mini bus, lasting approximately 6 hours  per way to Sandakan. They are many Tour Operator operates at Lower Kinabatangan river with accommodation and transportation provided.

Sabah Tourism Awards ~ Best Tour Package - 2005
            4 DAYS / 3 Nights            SANDAKAN SAFARI ADVENTURE

Day 1                                      SELINGAN ISLAND
Meet at Hotel Lobby 09.45OR preferably SDK Airport (MH2042) ( 9:45 to jetty for boat ride to Selingan Island. It takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour to the Island. Upon arrival, check into chalet and lunch at cafeteria, then free at own leisure e.g. swimming or snorkeling. After dinner, wait for rangers signal’s to see turtle laying eggs. Reburied and releasing the baby turtles. Overnight at chalet (Common or Attached Bathroom).
 ( Lunch / Dinner )

Day 2    SEPILOK ORANG UTAN / KINABATANGAN, SUKAU
0700 depart island for Sandakan. After breakfast, drive for approximately 30 minutes to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center. Proceed to the free roaming area feeding platform. 1000 hrs feeding of Orang Utans. At this center, observe man’s closest relative “the Orang Utan” being rehabilitated to become wild in their natural habitat and experience a walk in the Tropical Lowland Dipterocarp Forest of Borneo. 1100 hrs depart Sepilok and transfer to jetty in Sandakan. 1145 hrs take an hour boat cruise up to the Lower Kinabatangan River Sanctuary where you will take your lunch at Abai Jungle Restaurant. This is a wonderful journey of discovery which starts from the waters of Sulu Sea of Sandakan Town through a magnificent scenery of the Mangrove Forest. After lunch, cruise UP river to Sukau village in search of primates especially the Endemic Proboscis Monkeys, birds and other wildlife. Arrive Sukau, check in at Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge. Late afternoon, an option to take another river cruise to Menanggul River, a small tributary of the Kinabatangan. Return lodge for dinner and overnight at Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge. ( Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Day 3              OXBOW LAKE / PM RIVER CRUISE / SUKAU     
Wake up by the calls of gibbons and hornbills. Early morning, take a river trip to the Ox-Bow Lake to observe wildlife and experience the early morning river ambience of the longest river of Sabah. Return lodge for breakfast then free at own leisure. After lunch, late afternoon, another river cruise to search for more wildlife. Dinner and overnight at Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge.
 (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner )

Day  4                TRANSFER OUT BY BOAT / SANDAKAN
After breakfast, river cruise down by boat back to Sandakan. Another chance for wildlife sightings with this approximately 2.5 hours journey. Upon arrival at jetty, drive up hill to the Puh Jih Syh Chinese Buddhist Temple, which offers a panoramic view of the Sandakan Bay. after lunch, transfer to airport for your flight MH 2709 (ETD1415hrs) or Hotel.. (Breakfast / Lunch)
 
END OF TOUR

Recommended Personal Gear
Torch, swim wear, insect repellent, raincoat (umbrella not recommended), hat, binocular and sun screen (sweat proof). Use good walking shoes and comfortable cotton T-shirt with long or short pant.
IMPORTANT
1. Please take note that Sabah Parks allow only camera of unaided flash to take photograph of the turtle. Video/Digital Video 
       Camera are not allowed.
2. Sabah Parks also forbid visitor from going around the island on their own from 6:00pm – 6:00am.

ESTIMATE PRICE PER PERSON RM1550 (MIN.2PAX) TWIN SHARE    **All tours exclude Airfares, Airtaxes, Camera/Video Fees, alcoholic/carbonate/juice drinks and Hotel accommodation in Sandakan**
QUOTED BASED ON SIC & BOAT JOINING, TWIN SHARE ACCOMMODATION BASIS UNLESS SPECIFY

PRICE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE, PLS FEEL FREE TO CHECK LATEST PRICING OR TOUR ENQUIRY , PEOPLE CALLED  ME BORNEO ANGEL , AS MY JOB HERE TO GIVE YOU INFORMATION FOC

Thanks.
WEBS-SALES 

PLEASE UNDERSTAND PRICE IS CHEAPER IF paying via atm transfer (offline mode) / ibank (online mode)

 Please key USD 40 (as per tour deposit)

Balance Amount (To Be Advised)

DAY 1 SEPILOK / BY BOAT TO ABAI / PM CRUISE
Meet upon arrival at Sandakan Airport via MH 2042, ETA 0810hrs. Drive for approximately 30 minutes to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center. Proceed to the free roaming area feeding platform. 1000hrs feeding of Orang Utans. At this center, observe man’s closest relative “the Orang Utan” being rehabilitated to become wild in their natural habitat and experience a walk in the Tropical Lowland Dipterocarp Forest of Borneo. 1100hrs – 1115hrs depart Sepilok and transfer to jetty in Sandakan. 1145hrs take an hour boat cruise up to the Lower Kinabatangan River Sanctuary where you will take your lunch at Abai Jungle Restaurant. This is a wonderful journey of discovery which starts from the waters of Sulu Sea of Sandakan town through a magnificent scenery of the Mangrove Forest. After lunch, free and relax at our nature boardwalk before cruising in search of other wildlife. After dinner, a night cruise leads you to witness the nature of fire flies as Christmas tree. Overnight at Abai Jungle Lodge (Lunch / Dinner)

DAY 2 PITAS LAKE / TREE PLANTING / BY BOAT TO SUKAU
Wake up by the calls of nature, early morning take a river trip to Pitas Lake to observe wildlifes and experience the unique of Pitas Lake. After breakfast, an option to join our tree planting project with the locals, this project specially creates to help the locals. Lunch with villagers at Abai Village. After lunch, cruise up river to Sukau village in search of primates especially the Endemic Proboscis Monkeys, birds and other wildlife. Arrive Sukau; check in at Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge. Late afternoon, an option to take another river cruise to Menanggul River, a small tributary of the Kinabatangan. Return lodge for dinner and overnight at Kinabatangan Riverside Lodge. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

DAY 3 BY BOAT TO SANDAKAN / TEMPLE
After breakfast, river cruise down by boat back to Sandakan. Another chance for wildlife sightings with this approximately 2.5hours journey. Upon arrival at jetty, drive up hill to the Puh Jih Syh Chinese Buddhist Temple, which offers a panoramic view of the Sandakan Bay before lunch at local restaurant or hotel. After lunch, transfer to Sandakan Airport for departure flight back to Kota Kinabalu via MH 2709, ETD 1415hrs. (Breakfast / Lunch)
END OF TOUR

Thank You for Being with Us & Hope to See You Again!!!
Price per person is RM 1180 (min.2pax) based on
seat in coach, joining basis boat (SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE)

 PLEASE UNDERSTAND PRICE IS CHEAPER IF paying via atm transfer (offline mode) / ibank (online mode)

 Please key USD 40 (as per tour deposit)

Balance Amount (To Be Advised)

A trip down the River of Life

Most times, travellers to the Kinabatangan and Sukau make the effort to visit because it simply is the only place in Sabah or even Borneo for that matter, that the wildlife is so accessible. The Sukau/lower kinabatangan area is a zoo safari and night safari all rolled into one. The kinabatangan wildlife sanctuary is only 26,103 hectares in size and within this tiny area (hemmed in by palm oil plantations from all sides), is a great variety of animals and flora, some endemic to Borneo and some endemic to the area itself. The diversity of this area is unimaginable. There are a recorded 1000 plant species, 250 bird species, 90 fish species and reptilia and 50 mammal species cramped into the area. And sometimes during the rainy season between December and February, the river bursts its banks and floods over the floodplain inundating a vast area. The animals suffer a great deal from this as the higher grounds where they used to retreat to, are now palm oil plantations and they are left with little land to survive and even less to feed on during these months of hardship. It’s been known that animals starve to death during these times.

For the drier periods, visitors have a higher chance of animal sightings and animals like the pygmy borneon elephants, the orang utan , probocis monkeys, silver leaf monkeys or langurs, macaques, civet cats, snakes, estuarine crocodiles, otters, wildboars, birdlife such as the oriental darters or snakeheads they are called, herons, Wallace's Hawk-Eagle, Jerdon's Baza, Violet Cuckoo, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Grey-headed Fish-Eagle, hornbills and  can be ‘found’, if your nature guide and boatman is experienced. There may be a lot more than meets the eye.

There are generally 2 ways to go about getting to Sukau area, one is by boat all the way which may take 2hours meandering up the languid river or the other is to take a 1 hour van or car ride on rough palm oil plantation roads to the jetty and then a 10 – 15min boat ride to the resort. It is however advisable that if you are pregnant or if you have a bad back, not to travel on the plantation road. The road condition is atrocious due to the rain and heavy vehicle use and 45km at 20km/hr of this travel will definitely be a painful affair if you are not accustomed to it.

Normally, just to make the trip a little easier, many take the tours out and stay a day or two at resorts, homestays and hostels along the kinabatangan river. The itinerary is very similar from one tour agent to the other.

The first day will be the menanggol river trip. This small tributary of the great kinabatangan is where visitors will get to see a variety of birds, snakes, monkeys and if lucky – the elephants and orangutans. Animals hang around water sources for the food. The fig trees that grow along riverbanks are a favourite source of food and their succulent fruit is highly sought after by all creatures’ great and small.

On the second day, a boat ride down to the oxbow lakes for a bit of bird and croc watching is a good idea. It gives the visitor a perspective of the type of habitat found at the lower kinabatangan. As a floodplain, the area can be unforgiving and can also be a source of life. The river has about 30 oxbow lakes and more ancient ones that have silted up by the natural change of river course. There are a few oxbow lakes that is host to a myriad of nature’s treasures and it all depends on luck – being there at the right time.

There are a few conservation programmes conducted by individuals who live or/and make a living from the area such as the Miso Walai Homestay and Sukau Rainforest Lodge.

Both are committed to creating a long term relationship with the untamable river. They are protecting and moving to restore some balance. Sukau Rainforest Lodge endeavors to reforest and rehabilitate the forest around the resort by planting a variety of saplings of species familiar to the plains. They also involve their guests in this tree planting exercise. Every visitor staying at the resort gets to help plant a sapling in a 64 hectare riverine land at Tenegang.

The saplings are stock from species such as Nauclea subdita (Bangkal Kuning), Octomeles sumatrana (Binuang), Ficus racemosa (Tangkol), Neolarmarkia cadamba (Laran), Terminalia copelandii (Talisai paya) and Litsea garciae (Pengolaban). This is one of many on their agenda to help and integrate into the community as well as preserve the land.

Miso Walai Homestay is under a community cooperative that helps the poor, indigenous rural community living in the Batu Puteh area and also carry out wetland restoration work in the surrounding floodplain forests of the Lower Kinabatangan.

In areas so fragile and so effected by human activity such as the lower kinabatangan river, it is crucial to look into responsible tourism and each individual who has the privilege to visit and be part of this ecosystem even for a day has a responsibility to retain a piece of it not only in memory and pictures but also in participation. With help and recognition from all sides, then will life at kinabatangan be preserved.

It was March and one of the highlights on the tour itinerary was a visit to the Gomantong Caves on the way to Sukau and the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. The stopover at the caves was to be only for a couple of hours or so.

Our 82km or 2 hr road trip from Sandakan was smooth enough and all was going well. We were dry and comfy in the van, the rainclouds were wringing down copious amount of rain and a friendly conversation was getting along with the other guests on the trip. There were only 3 of us on this tour and it was nice not to be cramped in with a large group. Then the driver took a turnoff towards Kampung. Sukau ( Sukau Village ) and traveled on for another 20 kms (12.4 miles) on a bumpy offroad to the main entrance of the caves. Little did we know that the 20km this boneshaker ride was only a teaser to the remaining trip ahead of us.

We turned off into a narrow road for a 6 km (4 miles) drive through the Gomantong Forest Reserve and then into the core area which is gazetted the Gomantong Virgin Forest Reserve of 1,816hectares. Apparently the Gomantong Forest Reserve has yet to be demarcated. It's the oldest existing reserve in Sabah and was gazetted as in 1925. Although there were a few extensions made to the size a couple of times over - once in 1971 and then in 1984, yet the authorities can not make an affirmation on the area size.

Collection of birds' nests and the value of this produce have been recognised for as long as the Chinese djongs and ships sailed these waters and that dates back to the 13th Century. Before licensing was put into effect, the harvesting of birds' nests in the caves was managed by families on a rotational basis and the rights were inherited and passed down for generations. These days, the licensing is issued by the Wildlife Department , is based on tenders and costs about RM300,000 per harvest season. Under the Birds' Nest Ordinance and the Forest Enactment of 1968, heavy fines are imposed on unlicensed collectors. These birds' nests are so valuable that during non harvesting seasons, guards are posted at the cave to stop any poaching.

Gomantong is one cave that is definitely worth a visit but one must make sure that the visit coincides with the harvesting seasons of the swiftlets' nests which happen to be from February to April and from July to September.

The first harvest period coincides with the swiftlets' breeding season and ends before nesting begins. Harvesters collect the existing nests which prompts the swiftlets to construct new nests. The Black-Nest Swiftlets build nests with bits of feather, crumbs of moss / lichen and droppings mixed in with the saliva These dark coloured nests are considered of poor quality. The Edible-nest Swiftlet, on the other hand, build nests that are purely from their saliva. The white nests are smaller than of the Black-Nest Swiftlets but by far more valuable. Per kg of this quality will cost approximately USD1,000 - USD2,000 in the open market. The swiftlets build their nest at night, after a day out searching for food. The new nest will take about 30 to 35days to complete and once that's done, and the mother lays a maximum of 2 eggs which she broods for 1 month. When the fledglings are old enough to leave the nest, the harvesting season begins again. The harvesters must make sure that the nests are collected only after they are abandoned by the young swiftlets.

But get this, the most prized birds' nest are the reddish brown nests believed to be saliva mixed with blood which the bird expels during nest building. It is thought to be highly nutritious. Researchers have found that contrary to this belief, the colour is derived from the oxidation of iron which results in rust. Rust definitely does not have nutritious value!

Swiftlets build their nests at least 10m above ground but in lofty caves such as at Gomantong, the nests are some 90m above the cave floor. Harvesting is a tricky business. The harvesters have to constantly maintain and mend the rattan and bamboo ladders used to reach the nests 90 - 100m high.

The first cave is known as Simud Hitam ( Black Cave ). Nests collected are of poorer quality. Further up from this cave is another called Simud Putih ( White Cave ), the larger of the two caves. This is located some 90m above Simud Hitam and is a treacherous climb. Anyone wanting to visit Simud Putih will have to apply for permit to do so and getting into the cave takes 5 hours. The prized white nests are found here.

For a season's harvest, the worker gets a salary of RM3,500, ridiculously low for a task so dangerous but it is a lot of money to the locals. Once the nests are collected, it is carefully packed in gunny sacks and lowered down to the cave floor. The manager - normally the only Chinese in the crowd of locals, will quickly sew up the gunny so that no pilfering occurs.

Whilst we were happily walking along the plankwalk, the workers were stomping up and down the guano mounds as they go about their work. The mounds looked alive, as the workers walked past, the ground seemed to heave. The strange dank, ammonia smell in the air was laced with a faint familiar stench. As the beam of our torches picked up the movement, immediately the stench came to light (sic). It was a seething blanket of cockroaches! Cave cockroaches! The cave is alive! Cockroaches, cave centipedes, millipedes, beetles, worms, spiders - a variety of bugs and a closed ecosystem. Everything in the cave is recycled and reused. Bats and fledglings that are too weak or too young to fly, fall to the squeegee cave floor and are quickly devoured, leaving only a trail of bones and beak. even in a small reserve like Gomantong there are species endemic such as O. mirabile, a separate species of Opisthostoma which is a land snail that lives on the ancient rocks of Gomantong in Borneo and nowhere else on Earth.

After an hour in darkness, it was nice to step out into the sun again. Many visitors apparently have the good fortune to catch glimpses of wildlife such as orangutans. According to a survey conducted by HUTAN (an NGO based in Sukau, Kinabatangan) and the Sabah Wildlife Department in 2001, the orangutan population density was 3.8 individuals/km². An estimated population of 147 individuals shares this small protected area making it a high possibility of sightings in the area. The reserve is also home to a variety of birds but we didn't get to see any ~ The rain was still pelting down on us as we hurried down the plankwalk to our waiting van. At least it washed off some of the dirt from our ponchos but didn't dampen our spirits as our vehicle spluttered off back onto the offroads and towards Sukau. The trip was definitely enlightening! Paying $100s for a bowl of coagulated bird saliva is simply absurd, risking lives for a mere several thousand ringgit is.well, a simple way of life..

All things sacred – the ancient green turtles

Visitors who come over for their Borneo wildlife experience in Sandakan would most likely embark on a loop tour that includes a Kinabatangan river cruise, a visit to the Sepilok orangutan centre, a trek to the Gomantong caves, and to end the amazing wildlife adventure – a night at the Selingan turtle island.

Selingan Island is one of a group of uninhabited islands straddling the Malaysian and Philippine boundaries lying within the Sulu Seas. This cluster of islands namely three main nesting islands - Pulau Selingan, Pulau Bakkungan Kechil and Pulau Gulisan, covers an area of 1,740 hectares  and are protected for the sole purpose of conservation and preservation of turtles and other marine animals inhabiting the area.

The islands are grouped relatively close together and if you happen to swim a little further out into the open sea, you may end up in the Philippine waters being picked up by the Philippine marine police for illegal entry! There are normally marine boats patrolling along the invisible boundaries to ensure the safety of the visitors and also to deter large trawlers and commercial fishermen from poaching around the area.

Selingan island is the 2nd  largest of the cluster at 8 hectares and contains the park's headquarters, a visitors centre, basic tourist facilities and accommodation and a turtle hatchery. These chalets can accommodate a maximum of 60 persons a night, which is good as that mean only a maximum of 60 visitors can stay overnight at any one time so as not to create too much pressure to the environment and to the turtles.

Nesting sites are plenty for the green turtle on our Malaysian shores. Long beaches along Terengganu, Pahang and Kelantan states in Peninsula Malaysia are popular nesting sites for green turtles and the Giant Leatherback Turtles once upon a time. Heavy trawling, coastal pollution & devlopment and local consumption of turtle eggs in these areas have pushed the turtles into severe danger of extinction. Turtle meat in certain countries such as the Philippines are still popular and poor education is allowing such activities to continue like turtle egg collection in Malaysia. Also, certain ceremonies  such as those practised in Bali,Indonesia slaughter 1000s of turtles a year and now it’s become a daily slaughter to feed those who crave turtle satay.

Not only dangers lurk in shallow waters but also in open seas. Now, as more seafood is required to meet demands, many more turtles are found drowned and entangled in mile long drift nets. Turtles have an incredibly long distance migration and their range has not been documented , which means that it is difficult to predetermine their activities once they head off to the open ocean for years at a time.

One thing we know is that the turtles that are hatched in an area will normally return to these nesting sites when are ready to mate for their next generation. For turtles to achieve sexual maturity, it will take anywhere from 20 to 50years and there is a pressing need to protect and ensure as many eggs hatch as possible. It is estimated that only 1 turtle may reach adulthood out of every 1,000 hatchlings. This is the reason why protecting nesting sites is of such high importance. The survival of every marine species is important in balancing the delicate ecosystem of the oceans. The oceans contribute to 2/3 of the earth’s surface and abusing this can mean certain unpleasant consequences to us.

Turtle Hatchery at Selingan Island

Our trip to island started off on bumpy palm oil plantation dirt road and continued for about and hour before arriving at Padas jetty. A small wooden hut and a sturdy short plankwalk completed this makeshift looking jetty, hidden amongst overgrown nipah palms lining the mangrove swamp. As tides were ebbing, we were quickly bundled into the speedboat and off we went, the captain manouvering our boat slowly, careful not to run aground on the muddy banks. Along the way, there were several wooden huts on stilts with large nettings pegged into the river. Fish and prawn farming is now a budding industry for villages living along the coastline.  Mangrove swamps and forests are good places as they form a natural barrier against badgering storms. The strange global changes in weather over recent years have not excluded Borneo and for the first time in known history, Sabah is experiencing storms and typhoons.

The boat took us out into the open sea, splicing through calm waters , bringing us closer to the island. An hr later, our boat slowed down. From afar, Selingan Island looked like a deserted island. Rhu or conifer trees lined the beach, and the only visible hint of inhabitants was a marine patrol boat moored close to the beach.

As we approached its white, soft sandy beach, the rangers’ headquarters came into view. Every visitor has to register at the rangers office upon arrival. Once that is done, we were each assigned to our chalets or rooms. The accommodation is located towards the other end of the island, only some 15mins walk. The rooms are comfortable, with air conditioning and fresh towels. Shared bathroom and toilet, located on the lower ground floor are clean and well kept.

Buildings on the island are located away from the beach , behind a wall of shrubs or trees so that hatchlings do not become disoriented by artificial lights. The hatchlings tend to gravitate toward lights and unfortunately with artificial lighting at night straggling hatchlings may disappear into the interior rather than out to the sea. Normally, the ranger’s task is to relocate nests once the female turtle has finished laying her eggs. These eggs are then taken to the hatchery and placed in a pit of the same depth, the pit filled, labelled and a protective cylindrical wire meshing placed around the pit so that when the hatchlings burst out from their nest, they will be contained in the area until the ranger collects them in a basket to be released on the beach. Like the crocodiles, the sex of the hatchling is detemined by the temperature of the nest. Essentially, the hotter the sand surrounding the nest, the faster the embryos will develop. Cooler sand has a tendency to produce more males, with warmer sand producing a higher ratio of females

Green turtles nest every three or more years. An average of three to five egg clutches are laid approximately twelve days between each nesting. Each clutch contains an average of 50 to 80 eggs, which requires an approximately 60-day incubation period. These turtles need quiet, dark beaches and sometimes can be fussy in locating a suitable nesting site, attempting several times and abandoning the pit. Nervous females have been seen to dump their clutch in the water on exit if there are disturbed or surprised at the beginning of their arduous task.

An evening with the green turtle

Visitors are invited to witness a female laying her eggs. There are generally a number of rules:

	Not to wear any footwear on the beach in case there are little hatchlings moving around. Only thing is to beware of scorpions hiding in shrubs Not to use flash on the turtle as this aggravates her. This still happens unusually often with visitors and even stern warning from rangers doesn’t usually stop them. It should be mandatory that visitors be banned from using their cameras during these visits.
	Only one turtle is shown to the visitors per night. There are strict rules that visitors are not allowed to roam the beaches after dark without a ranger. But again, this happens at times and is a nuisance especially when the sole purpose of the park is not as a tourist centre but a conservation centre.
	Strictly no video cameras allowed. Not to make a racket as this may scare away the other females landing on the beach.

The females come up onto the beach at night and sometimes the ranger would round all visitors even before dinner is done.

When we got to the site, the female was already laying her clutch. It was only safe for the ranger to invite visitors for the watch once the female had comfortably settled in motion. Whilst laying her clutch, the ranger got to work measuring this gentle creature’s carapace lengthwise and widthwise and placed in the records and if she was a newcomer, then she would have to be tagged. The average size of a green turtle is 3.5 to 4 feet in carapace length (76-91 cm) and weighs an average of weigh between 300 to 400 pounds (136-180 kg).

As she nests, the female turtle appear to shed tears, but the turtle is just secreting salt that accumulates in her body..not to worry.

Barnacles were cleaned from her carapace and as she started filling the pit, the officer adroitly removed the eggs and placed them gently into a bucket.  

We left the turtle to continue her work (it takes 1 – 2 hrs for the female to complete her egg laying process from sourcing a nesting site to returning to the sea when all is done) and returned to the dining hall. An officer was waiting for us at the entrance with a basket of hatchlings that was about to be released. He allowed all of us to hold and handle the tiny replicas of the female that we had just witnessed laying eggs. It was a touching experience. The hatchling was about to be released into the unknown where danger lurks in every corner and for a moment, we got to hold it in our hands – ready to release it into a whole new world of survival, life and death. At just bite size; it can fall prey to gulls, sharks, other larger fishes, octopus, you name it. Before touching the hatchlings, we were told to wash our hands so that any chemicals like repellant, ointment etc will not be transferred to them.

As the hatchling leaves for the open sea, it continues to swim out and lives solely on its yolk in its belly for at least a 3 days. This high energy protein, gives it a boost to swim as rigorously as it can and as far away form the shores possible. That’s why when you pick up a hatchling, it continues to paddle like a wound up mechanical toy. It’s instinct is to swim. If it survives the dangers, it then continues to swim, resting amongst floating seaweed or debris. At less than eight inches long, green turtles eat worms, young crustaceans, aquatic insects, grasses and algae. As they reach eight to ten inches in length, they eat mostly sea grass and algae. The green turtle is the only sea turtle species that is strictly herbivorous as an adult.

As we walked back from the beach, we found more hatchlings, this time crawling out of a drain cover. I guess, not all nests is that easy to spot? This one must have missed the rangers’ records as the nest was probably laid in the soft sand under the wooden foundation of the dining hall late one night .There were no turtle tracks as she may have dragged herself onto the cemented walkway. We helped in collecting them and sent them back in the right direction – out to the blue yonder.

Hatchlings burst out from their nest usually at night or when the weather is gloomy and cool such as stormy periods. This instinct helps so that the fragile creatures do not get frazzled in the searing tropical heat whilst making its way down to the sea.

Don’t worry if you didn’t manage to get the perfect photo. There are always postcards for sale at the dining hall – RM10 for 3 pieces.

Other Activities

The other activity you can enjoy is snorkeling. On the west side of the island, closer to the chalets is the best place to snorkel or just tan in the sun. There are mats and snorkel equipment for rent here at RM10 per set.

If you’re interested in turtle migration etc and also other marine species found in our waters, there is a information centre upstairs of the dining hall.

There are websites on turtle conservation and if you would like to now more about turtle and terrapin conservation in Malaysia or even volunteer your time, try this website at :

http://www.kustem.edu.my/seatru/

简介

• 京那巴登岸河全长约560公里， 河流的下游被认定为马来西亚最大的野生物聚居地。
• 这里也是长鼻猴的绝佳观赏地。
• 苏高区（Sukau）拥有丰富的野生动物资源，在这里只要你稍作留意，便可观赏到包括灵长类，爬行类各种野生动物及各种鸟类。

每日

活动内容

• 拂晓或黄昏时 分沿河向下巡游便可看见长鼻猴和其他野生动物沿河堤聚集在枝头的景象。
• 晚餐后，通过导游的简短介绍或选择参加夜间巡游方便游客了解更多林间住宿及生态旅游的相关知识。
• 环村漫步去体验京那巴登岸河土著人（Orang Sungei) 的生活。
• 观看传统表演或果菜种植过程。

如何到达

• 从山打根到苏高区的公路(2个半小时车程) 长为135公里，包括途经棕油种植园的42公里碎石路
• 距亚庇市陆路交通约350公里（6小时）
• 船程 ：1个半小时 (山打根市至目的地)

交通工具	价格 ( 单程 )	出发地点	回程出发地点
公交/巴士 Sandakan － Kinabatangan	每人马币17.00	拉卜(Labuk)公交巴士车站前 请与司机或售票员协商具体下车地点	请与旅店接待处联系

*价格不时会有变动。所有价格仅供您参考之用。

ps :  If your flight arrive in noon , suggest to stay one night at Sandakan , recommend SNR/SJR   at mile 14 Sepilok area /Sabah Hotel  4*/Hotel Sandakan3*/at East Boutique  2* also suggest to stay one night before next day depart early morning from Sandakan   if you really cant make flight changes due to you flight arrival & departure is out of our standard transfer time.

fyi  : option tour   - Rainforest walk in Sepilok  - is charging Rm220/pax (min.2)...schedule time ETD 1400hrs , 

can be arranged last day after temple tour with just adding Rm150/pax   (i think worth if you really  love Nature & Rainforest) !!!

as at today price.  Price subject to change without further notice

Package inclusive of ; Entrance Fee, guiding and transfer

Itinerary:-

Day 01 or Last day - 2.00 PM Meet at Sandakan or Sabah Hotel Lobby and 40 minutes drive to RDC.  Explore the Plant Discovery Centre,

Exhibition room and walk to the canopy walk way.  4.45PM Depart  to Sandakan airport for flight MH3037 or drop off Sandakan Town. (NO MEAL)

***For those taking flight MH2067, we will drop them either at Sandakan Town or guest have to wait more than 3 hours at the airport.

 

*************

The Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC), is a centre for environmental  education situated within the famous Kabili Sepilok Forest Reserve, home of orang utans of the

Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre.  With the rain forest just 20 miles away from Sandakan Airport, and only 24 KM (14 miles) from Sandakan town.

This is a MUST VISIT place for plant lovers! Some of the most interesting plants in this garden are our native orchids (more than 250 species), slipper orchids, pitcher-plants,

arid land plants, aquatic plants, economic crops, and some of the most spectacular tropical American plants, such as the bromeliads and the Venus flytrap.

In the garden, there are many colourful information panels to enhance your educational experience.

 

The 147 m- long sturdy, steel canopy walkway is THE most accessible in Sabah! Designed for high visitor traffic, you will never have to wait in line again to get up to the canopy!

This walkway enables you to have a spectacular view of the beautiful rain forest of Sepilok from up to 28 m above the forest floor!

Walk among rainforest giants like the mengaris tree and other large dipterocarps, and experience forest life high in the canopy!

The walkway and towers are also great for bird-watchers to steal a glimpse of our resident Bornean bristleheads, one of the rarest birds in Sabah! Apart from that, there are

another 250 species of birds to lookout for, including hornbills, pittas, kingfishers and broadbills.

For more info; please kindly browse below website

http://www.forest.sabah.gov.my/rdc/PDG/pdg.htm

http://www.forest.sabah.gov.my/rdc/Facilities/facility.htm

http://www.forest.sabah.gov.my/rdc/the_RDC/the_rdc.htm

 

Should you need to clarify please do not hesitate to contact us. 

PLEASE UNDERSTAND WE quote Rm150/pax for paying via atm transfer (offline mode) / ibank (online mode)

Rm175/pax for paying credit card / paypal (this will be higher in view that involve 3rd party merchant services) 

 (TOUR PROGRAM MAY BE REFHUFFLE IN THE LAST MINUTE IF CONDITIONS NEEDED)

 **All tours exclude Airfares, Airtaxes, TRAVEL INSURANCE,  Camera/Video 
Fees, alcoholic/carbonate/juice drinks and Hotel accommodation in Sandakan, 
PORTAGE TO TOUR GUIDE AND DRIVER AND ITEMS NOT MENTIONED ABOVE.**

PRICE QUOTED BASED ON SEAT IN COACH BASIS & BOAT JOINING BASIS, ACCOMMODATION : TWIN SHARE BASIS  UNLESS SPECIFY

Attention   please !!

SELINGAN ROOM BOOKINGS , GUEST PLEASE TAKE NOTE ***1 Room in Selingan accommodate ONLY 2adults (Twin Sharing)- - under SABAH PARK'S MANAGEMENT  AND 1NIGHT STAY PERMITTED FOR GUEST.

SHIRE CHIN TRAVEL STATION (SCTS) HOTEL/RESORT/LODGE/TRANSPORT/TOUR - FIT/GIT - LUXURY/BUDGET/MODERATE ORDER / ENQUIRY FORM !!!!