3D2N Bilit Adventure Lodge: Kinabatangan River Cruises, Sepilok Orangutan & Bornean Sun Bear Print

08:00 hrs: Your journey begins with a pick-up from Sandakan Airport or your hotel, followed by a transfer to Sepilok, one of Sabah’s most important wildlife conservation areas.

08:45 hrs: Visit the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, where rehabilitated orangutans are given the chance to develop the skills needed for life in the rainforest. Walk along the boardwalk through the lowland forest to the outdoor nursery and feeding platform, where orangutans may be seen feeding, climbing or moving through the trees in a protected natural setting.

10:30 hrs: Continue to the nearby Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, dedicated to the rescue and conservation of the world’s smallest bear species. From the viewing platforms, observe sun bears as they climb, forage and explore their forest enclosures while learning more about the threats they face in the wild.

11:30 hrs: Enjoy lunch before continuing your journey towards the Kinabatangan River.

12:30 hrs: Travel overland to Bilit, passing through rural villages and changing landscapes on the way to one of Sabah’s richest wildlife habitats.

14:30 hrs: Arrive at Bilit Adventure Lodge and check in to your Superior Air-conditioned Room with attached bathroom. Take some time to settle in and enjoy the peaceful rainforest surroundings.

15:30 hrs: Enjoy afternoon tea with local snacks at the lodge before your first river safari.

16:00 hrs: Set off on a guided Kinabatangan River wildlife cruise along Sabah’s longest river. As the boat moves quietly through the riverine rainforest, keep watch for proboscis monkeys, macaques, hornbills, kingfishers, crocodiles and, with some luck, orangutans or seasonal Bornean pygmy elephants along the riverbanks.

19:00 hrs: Return to the lodge for dinner and spend the evening surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest. Guests may also choose to join an optional guided night walk to discover Kinabatangan’s nocturnal wildlife.

06:00 hrs: Wake early for a morning Kinabatangan River cruise, when the river is calm and the rainforest begins to come alive. This is a rewarding time for birdwatching and wildlife spotting, with chances to see hornbills, kingfishers, proboscis monkeys, macaques, crocodiles and other wildlife starting their day along the riverbanks.

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

09:00 hrs: Head into the riverine rainforest on a guided jungle walk. Unlike the river cruises, this experience gives you a ground-level view of the Kinabatangan ecosystem, where your guide can introduce native plants, insects, smaller wildlife and the delicate forest environment that supports the area’s biodiversity.

12:00 hrs: Enjoy lunch at the lodge and take some time to rest during the quiet afternoon hours.

16:00 hrs: Embark on your third guided Kinabatangan River wildlife cruise. With another afternoon on the river, you have more opportunities to observe wildlife activity in the forest canopy and along the riverbanks. Every cruise offers a different experience, depending on weather, river conditions and wildlife movement.

19:00 hrs: Return to the lodge for dinner and enjoy your final evening in the rainforest.

08:30 hrs: After breakfast, check out from Bilit Adventure Lodge and depart for Sandakan.

12:00 hrs: Enjoy lunch along the way before continuing with your Sandakan city tour.

13:30 hrs: Begin your Sandakan city tour with a visit to Sandakan Memorial Park, a peaceful 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, followed by St. Michael’s and All Angels Church, one of the oldest stone churches in Sabah. You will also visit the Central Market, where local produce and seafood offer a glimpse of everyday life in Sandakan, before stopping at Agnes Keith House, a heritage museum linked to North Borneo’s colonial past.

16:00 hrs: End the city tour at the English Tea House, where you can relax with a refreshing beverage while enjoying views of Sandakan.

17:00 hrs: Transfer to Sandakan Airport or your hotel, marking the end of your 3D2N Bilit Adventure Lodge, Kinabatangan River, Sepilok Orangutan and Bornean Sun Bear adventure.