2D1N Bilit Adventure Lodge: Kinabatangan River Cruises, Sepilok Orangutan & Bornean Sun Bear

08:15 hrs: Begin your wildlife journey with a visit to the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, one of Sabah’s most iconic conservation attractions. Walk along the boardwalk through the lowland rainforest and observe orangutans at the outdoor nursery and feeding platform, where rehabilitated orangutans may be seen learning, playing and feeding in a protected forest environment.

10:30 hrs: Continue to the nearby Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, home to the world’s smallest bear species. Learn more about sun bear conservation and observe these distinctive bears from the viewing platforms as they climb, forage and move through their forest enclosures.

11:30 hrs: Enjoy lunch at Banana Café, located at Sepilok Jungle Resort, before continuing your journey towards the Kinabatangan River.

12:30 hrs: Depart Sepilok and travel overland to Bilit, passing rural villages, palm oil landscapes and patches of greenery along the way. The journey offers a glimpse of Sabah’s countryside before you arrive at one of Borneo’s most important wildlife areas.

14:30 hrs: Arrive at Bilit Jetty and take a short boat transfer across the river to Bilit Adventure Lodge, your rainforest base for the night.

15:30 hrs: Enjoy afternoon tea with local snacks at the lodge. Take some time to settle in, relax and enjoy the peaceful riverside surroundings before your first Kinabatangan wildlife cruise.

16:00 hrs: Set off on a guided Kinabatangan River wildlife cruise, one of the highlights of this 2D1N adventure. As the boat moves quietly along Sabah’s longest river, your guide will help you search the riverbanks and forest canopy for proboscis monkeys, hornbills, kingfishers, macaques, crocodiles and, with some luck, orangutans or the elusive Bornean pygmy elephant.

18:00 hrs: Return to Bilit Adventure Lodge as the rainforest settles into the evening. Freshen up and enjoy the calm atmosphere of the lodge after your river safari.

19:00 hrs: Dinner is served at the lodge. Spend the evening at leisure, surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest. Guests may also choose to join an optional guided night walk to discover Kinabatangan’s nocturnal side.

06:00 hrs: Wake up early for your second Kinabatangan River cruise, when the river is often at its most peaceful and wildlife is beginning to stir. The morning light and cooler temperatures offer another opportunity to observe birds, monkeys, crocodilesand other wildlife along the riverbanks. 

07:30 hrs: Return to Bilit Adventure Lodge for breakfast before checking out. 

08:30 hrs: Depart Bilit and begin your journey back to Sandakan. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant along the way. 

13:00 hrs: Continue with a short Sandakan city tour, offering a glimpse into the town’s history, culture and coastal scenery. Visit Sandakan Memorial Park, a quiet WWII memorial site dedicated to the prisoners of war who suffered during the Sandakan Death Marches. 

Continue to Puu Jih Shih Buddhist Temple, known for its hilltop views overlooking Sandakan Bay, before visiting St. Michael’s and All Angels Church, one of the oldest stone churches in Sabah. The tour also includes Agnes Keith House, a heritage home linked to the American author who wrote about life in North Borneo, followed by a stop at the English Tea House for a scenic tea break. 

16:00 hrs: Transfer to Sandakan Airport for your onward flight, marking the end of your Sepilok, Kinabatangan River and Sandakan wildlife adventure.