Sandakan is the second-largest city in Sabah, East Malaysia, on the north-eastern coast of Borneo. It is located on the east coast of the island and it is the administrative centre of Sandakan Division and was the former capital of British North Borneo. Sandakan is known as the gateway for ecotourism destinations in Sabah, such as the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, the Rainforest Discovery Centre, Turtle Islands Park, Kinabatangan River and Gomantong Caves.
The area is also infamous as the site of a World War II Japanese airfield, built by the forced labour of 6,000 Javanese civilians and Allied prisoners of war. In 1945, the surviving Australian prisoners were sent on the Sandakan Death Marches; only 6 of them survived the war.
The area is also infamous as the site of a World War II Japanese airfield, built by the forced labour of 6,000 Javanese civilians and Allied prisoners of war. In 1945, the surviving Australian prisoners were sent on the Sandakan Death Marches; only 6 of them survived the war.
SEPILOK - Located a short distance from Sandakan, it is the largest Orang-utan sanctuary in the world. It is also the scene of an exciting conservation programme. The orang-utans are not kept in captivity, but rather come and go as they please while becoming used to living in the wild again after being held in captivity by various people.
The Orang-utan is man's closest relative, and has been shown to be highly intelligent. The Orang-utans come into the sanctuary to be fed twice a day. Although visitors to the reserve may be disappointed that the Orang-utans are free to come and go as they please, the park wardens are thrilled when an Orang-utan does not come back for food as it generally means that the animal has started to fend for itself. The tourists are, however, certain to be able to see Orang-utans in close proximity, and will be provided with many opportunities to take some good photographs. (be sure to bring along at least 200 ASA film as it can be a little dim at times due to the surrounding jungle)
GOMANTONG CAVES - The Rear of Simud Hitam Cave
The caves, located in a limestone outcrop near the Kinabatangan River have been harvested for their edible birds' nests for centuries. There are two cave "systems" in the area - one producing the black nests, the other producing the much more valuable white nests. As in Niah Caves in Sarawak, swiftlets and bats co-habitate in the caves. The black nest cave - known as Simud Hitam Cave - is the most accessible cave. Here the roof is 90 metres above the floor of the cave, which is covered in guano which must be metres deep and is home to thousands of the the largest cockroaches you are ever likely to see. There are some 27 species of bats in the caves, the majority of them being wrinkled-lipped bats.
The white nest cave - known as Simud Puteh Cave - is less easily accessible.
The bird life around the caves is particularly rich - birds which are commonly sighted include Kingfishers, Crested Serpent Eagles and Asian Fairy Bluebirds.
The caves can be accessed as an easy side trip from Sukau Rainforest Lodge.
SUKAU AND THE LOWER KINABATANGAN RIVER - The Kinabatangan River is the second longest river in Malaysia (the longest being the Rajang in neighbouring Sarawak) The flood plains of the Kinabatangan offer the visitor a rare glimpse of the mangrove forests that cloak the shoreline with their population of Proboscis Monkeys and crested egrets. The Proboscis Monkey is one of nature's jokes. It is a specialised leaf eating primate whose prominent nose and "sunburnt" appearance probably inspired the local name which translates to Dutch monkey.
The Kinabatangan is also home to Borneo's largest population of elephants, which are occasionally seen on the afternoon jungle river cruise to find the proboscis monkeys. Other wildlife found in the area include the long-tailed macaque, pig-tailed macaque, silver, red and grey-leaf monkeys, gibbon, Sumatran rhinoceros, sambar deer, bearded pig, greater and lesser mouse deer, hairy nosed otter, slow loris monitor lizard and of course, crocodiles. As well as the egrets, bird life includes herons, storm's stork, osprey, falcon, kingfisher, hornbill, woodpecker, drongo, oriole, parakeet, coucal and many others
ITINERARY
Day 01:
Upon arrival at Sandakan Airport, via a morning flight transfer to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre for a video show. Trek ten minutes through the rainforest on wooden plank walks to witness the feeding of the orang utans at 10:00am.
Continue to Sandakan jetty for boat journey to Sukau Rainforest Lodge along Sabah's longest river, Kinabatangan with opportunity to view birds and wildlife in virgin mangrove, wetland and rainforest habitats.
Late afternoon take a river cruise using electric motor in search of some of the 10 primate species including Proboscis monkeys as they settle down on treetops along the Kinabatangan River.
Return for solar heated hot shower, candle light dinner and slide show conducted by naturalist guide. Overnight at BILIT Rainforest Lodge. (Lunch / Dinner)
Day 02:
Wake up to the calls of gibbons and hornbills. At 06:00 board a morning river cruise up the Kinabatangan River to view more birds and wildlife. Proceed to the Kelenanap ox-bow lake for a short jungle walk (if weather permits). Experience the wilderness of Borneo.
In the afternoon, we proceed for another river cruise for more wildlife. After dinner an optional night safari cruise (at a surcharge) spotting nocturnal animals, crocodiles and birds. Overnight at Sukau Rainforest Lodge. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 03:
After breakfast, return to Sandakan by boat journey. Have lunch before we proceed for a short tour of Sandakan town including the Australian War Memorial. Transfer to airport for late afternoon flight to Kota Kinabalu. (Breakfast / Lunch)
Day 01:
Upon arrival at Sandakan Airport, via a morning flight transfer to Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre for a video show. Trek ten minutes through the rainforest on wooden plank walks to witness the feeding of the orang utans at 10:00am.
Continue to Sandakan jetty for boat journey to Sukau Rainforest Lodge along Sabah's longest river, Kinabatangan with opportunity to view birds and wildlife in virgin mangrove, wetland and rainforest habitats.
Late afternoon take a river cruise using electric motor in search of some of the 10 primate species including Proboscis monkeys as they settle down on treetops along the Kinabatangan River.
Return for solar heated hot shower, candle light dinner and slide show conducted by naturalist guide. Overnight at BILIT Rainforest Lodge. (Lunch / Dinner)
Day 02:
Wake up to the calls of gibbons and hornbills. At 06:00 board a morning river cruise up the Kinabatangan River to view more birds and wildlife. Proceed to the Kelenanap ox-bow lake for a short jungle walk (if weather permits). Experience the wilderness of Borneo.
In the afternoon, we proceed for another river cruise for more wildlife. After dinner an optional night safari cruise (at a surcharge) spotting nocturnal animals, crocodiles and birds. Overnight at Sukau Rainforest Lodge. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 03:
After breakfast, return to Sandakan by boat journey. Have lunch before we proceed for a short tour of Sandakan town including the Australian War Memorial. Transfer to airport for late afternoon flight to Kota Kinabalu. (Breakfast / Lunch)
Participant guidelines
- Please bring along sun block lotion, personal toiletries, torch light, insect repellent, walking shoes, binoculars, hat & raincoat.
- Please ensure you are holding your air ticket to Sandakan.
- Please ensure you are holding your air ticket to Sandakan.
What is included:
-Tours and transfers, accommodation and meals specified, entrance fees and English speaking guide.
What is excluded:
-Airfare (Kota Kinabalu/Sandakan/Kota Kinabalu), camera fee and items not mentioned.
MIN 2 PAX
Child 12 year below
Email:familyadvanturesabah@gmail.com
tell: +60133521414
Back to main page: borneoxplore.blogspot.com
-Tours and transfers, accommodation and meals specified, entrance fees and English speaking guide.
What is excluded:
-Airfare (Kota Kinabalu/Sandakan/Kota Kinabalu), camera fee and items not mentioned.
MIN 2 PAX
Child 12 year below
Email:familyadvanturesabah@gmail.com
tell: +60133521414
Back to main page: borneoxplore.blogspot.com
